"Mmm," Nic said, giving Daniel a piercing look. "He has been many times busy recently. Let us dispense with the so called bullshit, my friend, and call it what it is. King wants the Vegas connection cleaned up, but does not want his hands dirty with Ms. Cantore in the picture. So he sends instead his man to negotiate the Miami takeover and help the Vegas cleanup."
Daniel didn't so much as stiffen at the other man's bold words. Instead, he inclined his dark head toward the Italian mob boss and waited for him to continue. Either he would condemn the direction Tyson King was taking or he would agree to work with Daniel in securing their American interests. King was a formidable enemy. And with Daniel Mercer at his side, he was damn near unstoppable. DeLuca would already know exactly who he was dealing with.
Nic nodded his head slowly and tapped his thumb absently against his thigh. "You will work with me personally, yes? I have your assurance?"
Daniel nodded. "King wants eyes on everything. Wants your bid to run smooth."
Nic smiled tightly. "With you at my side, it will of course. You don't fail."
Daniel sat silently while Nic processed his next move. Finally he said, "Miami has been uncomplicated. I've already moved more than half the city into my keeping. Thanks to you and King, once Marquez fell, his men toppled like fucking dominoes, leaving Cuba open for me."
Daniel nodded. "Our pleasure."
Nic snorted and smiled grimly. "So I heard. You're methods never fail to impress, my friend."
"Vegas?" Daniel prompted.
Nic straightened in his chair, shadows passing over the grooves of his high cheekbones. He could be considered classically handsome, with his tall, lean strength and aristocratic features if it weren't for the air of violence that settled on him like a cloak. His dark, dominant features betrayed an attitude of old world Italian mob boss combined with modern brutality that thrived in the cutthroat underworld.
"I could use help in Vegas," Nic admitted. "Franco Delgado sits high up in his tower, surrounded by some of the most expensive guns money can buy, and despite his idiotic business practices, he has somehow captured the ear of one of our Colombian allies. Colombia must be dealt with before we can take down Delgado, but it has to be done delicately. We can't leave a power vacuum behind in a country already ravaged by economic instability. I will not have starving masses on my conscience.”
Daniel nodded. "I can handle the guns in Vegas, but we'll need to draw him out of the hotel or find a way in."
Nic's eyes flashed and his fists flexed with poorly contained rage. After a moment he said, "Leave it to me."
Daniel eyed him, waiting for an explanation. Nic offered none, clearly unwilling at the moment to share his plan for drawing Delgado out. Which meant it involved a woman. Probably Nic's woman. The same woman it was rumoured Franco Delgado would do just about anything to get his hands on.
"Know a man that might be willing to go to Colombia and deal with our ally down there. I'll speak to Bastida about taking over the territory so there’s no vacuum. Good?" Daniel asked.
Nic's mind flashed to the brutal drug lord, Javier Bastida. The guy was a legend in his country for his brutal and systematic takeover of the drug trade. Not even the government interfered with his operation. But the man cared about his people and protected them with his own life and the lives of his men. He would ensure stability in the region. He was a good choice.
"Yes, speak to Bastida in person, if you please," Nic said. "And this other man, the one that will take care of Delgado's Colombian alliance? Who is he? Is he to be trusted?"
Daniel nodded. "Implicitly. Contracted his services before. David’s a professional. He'll take care of the problem with minimal fuss and leave whatever message we choose or make sure there’s zero connection back to you if that’s your preference."
"How do I contact your man?" Nic asked.
"You don't," Daniel replied coldly.
Nic stared back for a moment before nodding. "Where is he, this David?”
“Canada, last I heard. Looks for his missing wife between jobs."
"A wife? I thought assassins were notorious loners," Nic commented. "Is she going to be a distraction?"
"Never has been before."
Nic stared thoughtfully past Daniel's shoulder, contemplating the stunning skyline from his expensive hotel room. "The wife took off?"
Daniel shrugged. "Apparently she objected to his choice of profession."
Nic snorted with laughter and Daniel came close to quirking his lips in amusement. "These women, they are too sensitive, eh my friend?"
"Agreed," Daniel said, rising.
"Ha, our conversation is now ended, I believe?" Nic said rising to his feet. "Though you are the paid help, you make all around you aware that you are the one in control, Mercer. It is unsettling. I will continue to secure Miami, let me know when you are set up to move on Vegas, eh?”
Daniel nodded and reached out to shake Nic's hand before striding out the door. Nic shook his head in amusement at the way his friend managed to coldly control all situations. Though Nic was a feared mob boss with connections all over the world, he still knew better than to cross swords with Daniel Mercer. It would be like teasing a rabid wolf. The man was best left alone and utilized when absolutely needed.
