Page 10 of Married with Blood
“You sent the Volkovs’ shipment to the Hernandez Cartel?” I brushed my long hair back, annoyed that this ponytail wasn’t taming my long waves. “Are youinsane?”
He sighed theatrically. “Carina, stop with the drama.”
Drama? You think this is nothing but drama?
That settled it. He was fully delusional.
“They are going to kill you. Punish the Cartel. Arturo, you lost a shipment they paid for!”
“Andyouhave no clue what you’re talking about.”
He’d sicced that line on me so many times, it barely bothered me. “Then enlighten me,” I growled as I crossed my arms.
Taking his time to sit up, he folded his hands together. “I’ve got better plans.”
I narrowed my eyes, daring him to hedge like that. “What plans?”
“I’ve got plans for the Cartel. There are better partnerships to consider. There are new avenues of commerce.” He shrugged one shoulder and smiled. “You’re too closed-minded to even think outside the box like that.”
“Who?” When he didn’t make eye contact, I shook my head. “Who are you trying to do business with, Arturo?”
“Others,” he answered simply. “It’s time for changes around here.”
Change wasn’t always bad. Sometimes, it ushered in new opportunities. I doubted that he had the foresight to play his cards well in that regard. After such a long and successful relationship with the Bratva, among other staples that my father had drawn up trade contracts with, it seemed nothing but stupid to shop around. But asking him for a name wasn’t going to get me anywhere. He’d clearly want to keep his special plans secret, running with the theme of superiority I doubted he’d ever earn.
Quickly changing my tactic, I tipped my chin up and waited until he leveled me with his gaze. “And for the moment, for the present, what exactly do you intend to do when the Volkovs show up with that invitation you just gave them? What do you intend to discuss when they come here, furious and understandably disappointed that you changed plans after the deal had been agreed on for that shipment?”
What kind of lies do you think you can pull out of your ass now, huh?
He shook his head, watching me like he couldn’t understand how I was so simple-minded. He clearly had something in his head that he was keeping close, but he had to have a solution for the angry Russians heading this way now.
“We can’t afford any more fighting. Not now.” Even he couldn’t argue with me on that. “We’ve lost too many lately.” Recent fights with other smaller gangs and Cartels in the area had severely hurt the force’s morale and fighting power.
“And we’re going to lose one more,” he muttered softly with a slow smile that I didn’t trust for a single second. He tilted his head to the side, as if he were sizing me up for the first time.
“What?” I lowered my arms, so not in the mood for any mind games or jokes.
“We’re going to lose one more around here,” he repeated.
“What do you mean?” Was he planning to actually fight the Bratva men when they arrived? That would be suicide.
“You.”
I blinked, waiting for the connection to click. “Me? What about me?”
“You are going to handle this situation for me,” he stated as he stood.
“Me?” I let out a frustrated breath. “You’re expecting me to smooth things over with the Bratva? Fine.” It wasn’t the first time that I’d been expected to be a diplomat when things went south. I never was allowed in meetings with the Volkovs, butI’d contributed to other strategic discussions with other crime lords. I had to in order to pick up the slack from Arturo.
“But I need to know what the hell you’re planning. You can’t be this rash and change a shipment without alerting anyone. If I’m going to persuade the Volkovs that we’re still operating in good faith, then I need to know?—”
“I didn’t say you would enter any explanations or discussions with them.” He rounded the desk, propping his butt against the edge of the behemoth of polished wood.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re going to be the token of good faith.”
I furrowed my brow, eager to get a real answer out of him before I hurried to shower and clean up for a diplomatic meeting.
