Martinez conceded with a dip of his chin, but I backed her up. “While I wasn’t around during your reign, we only ever heard good things about you. Never mind how you turned your turf in LA around. The Albanians are like rabid dogs. They run around as if their behavior has no consequence.”
“Desperation often makes one think there are no consequences. To survive is to thrive,” Kitty inserted softly.
I wasn’t the only one who turned to her with lifted brows. Neev, however, muttered around a massive taco, “How much vodka did you drink tonight?”
“Not that much. And it was tequila. Mostly.”
Neev snagged the bowl of soup that had sent Kitty into rapturesand sniffed at it. “Maybe I need some of this because I can’t decide if I’m in the middle of a fever dream or coming down from two too many shots of Jagermeister.”
“It’s definitely not a fever dream, Neev,” Raisin said wryly as, with precise cuts, she delved into some meatballs in a bright orange sauce.
Martinez studied the three sisters with a glint in his eye that I didn’t appreciate, mostly because his wife did the same. Everyone knew she didn’t share, so their interest wasn’t sexual—that meant it was business.
“What’s going on?”
“We’re eating, my friend.”
“So we are. I just don’t understand why.”
“You Americans are so rude.”
“Firstly, I’m Sicilian. Secondly,you’reAmerican, Martinez.” I scoffed. “Thirdly, as much as I appreciate the food and I’m sure it’s delicious, it would digest better if I understood the lay of the land.”
“Eat and I will explain…” Martinez glanced pointedly at my empty plate. “What do you know ofVoz Nacional?”
Begrudgingly, I picked up a taco. “The political party?”
“Sí.”
“Why?” At Martinez’s wafted hand, I rolled my eyes. “Not a lot. My business is on the East Coast, not Mexico. My sister would know better. She makes it a policy to understand whatever matters affect those we have dealings with.”
“A smart woman, your sister. I like her,” Eva inserted.
“Most women think she’s a bitch.”
That led to Eva huffing. “‘Bitch’ is such an unimaginative label. Why is she a bitch? Because she doesn’t lick ass? Because she’s strong and empowered and goes toe to toe with rich, powerful men who have tiny dicks?
“‘Bitch’ is a badge of honor; one I wear with pride.”
“Me too,” Kitty mumbled, earning an approving nod from Eva.
“Well, she’s those things and more. Why do you think she’s thefirst female Consigliere in New York and Vegas history? My brother’s no fool.”
“Many were surprised that you were only his Capo.”
“I’m notonlyanything, Martinez,” I argued, dropping the taco. “Luc knows which side his bread is buttered. A politician, I’m not. As I’ve already told you and you’ve already seen from our interactions tonight.”
The older man hummed but finally stopped dicking me around. “We would like access to your drug.”
“Access?”
I refrained, barely, from glancing over at Kitty, whose eyes were fixed on me.
The last thing I wanted her to know was that I’d created an illegal erectile dysfunction drug that had led to the death of innocents.
Didn’t take a genius to figure out that would go down as well as Jagermeister on Dramamine.
“Yes, access.” Martinez directed the words at me, but his focus lingered on Kitty. A smile danced on his lips.Figghiu ri buttana.He knew I wanted Red kept on the down-low.“While I’m sure smuggling it across the border would be simple enough, as it’s not on any watchlists yet, I’d prefer to open a line of production on Mexican soil.”
