I glanced at my security detail with their weapons still trained on Diego and his crew. With an icy and unyielding bark, I told him, “My security never lowers their weapons when there’s a threat.”
Diego’s eyes narrowed. “I’m here to discuss the explosives you sold to the Kingsmen.”
I arched a brow high. “Since you’re not a Kingsmen, that’s not your business. Does your boss know that you’re stepping to his distributor like this?”
“Manuel doesn’t micromanage his most trusted lieutenant. Now…those explosives you offered the Kingsmen were used to wipe out a lot of our crew and our people.”
I smirked. “I didn’toffersuch powerful weaponry to the Kingsmen. If they were smart enough to ask for what they needed, that’s their business. Business is business, Diego. I provide whatever my clients ask for. I told you before, you don’t tell me how to run my fucking business. I don’t have shit to do with cartel business. You don’t run shit; I do. You’remyclient.”
Diego’s grin faltered as his eyes flashed with anger. His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “Watch your mouth, Mythic. You’re treading on thin ice.”
“Treading on thin ice?” I chuckled cynically. “If you keep pushing me, I’ll just break that shit. I don’t deal in half-measures. You got an issue, step your game up and take out them motherfuckas that’s wiping out your people.” My laughter that followed made Diego’s fury ignite.
He yanked his gun from its holster. His fingers tightened around the grip as he aimed the barrel at my head. The muzzle pressed dangerously close as I let out a dark, defiant laugh that seemed to fuel Diego’s rage.
In one swift motion, I disarmed Diego, knocking the gun from his grip. The weapon clattered to the ground. Without a second thought, I gripped Diego by the collar, and in a single fluid motion, I drew my blade from my waistband and slashed his throat. The blade cut through flesh and muscle, and crimson blood poured from the gaping wound like a fountain. It sprayed across the pavement, pooling around Diego’s feet as he fell.
His eyes widened in shock and pain, but the life drained from them quickly. He gurgled, struggling to breathe, but the blood flowed too freely, choking him as he collapsed to the ground. His crew, caught off guard by the sudden violence, scrambled in panic. Before they could fully react, my security opened fire. Their shots were muffled by the silencers on their guns. The bullets cut through the air with deadly accuracy, and the henchmen’s bodies slumped to the ground in lifeless heaps.
As Draven stepped over the fallen bodies, his expression was rigid with concern.
“Boss, you sure this was the right move?” he asked. “We just took out a member of the fucking Mexican cartel. We’re about to be at war with these motherfuckers.”
I barely spared him a glance. “I’ll handle the cartel. They’re not a problem.”
Draven’s eyes widened slightly, but he nodded, accepting my assurance despite his obvious apprehension. “What do you need us to do?”
“Get these bodies out of here. Clean this mess up before the club opens. And make sure that all the cameras in the area are wiped clean.”
Draven and his team moved swiftly as they began to drag the bodies.
As Draven’s team worked, I approached the locked doors of the club. I unlocked them and pushed them open, stepping inside. I walked through the entrance, my mind already shifting back to the night’s plans. The blood on my hand glistened in the darkness of the club. The casual swipe of my hand against my black tee to remove the blood from Diego’s throat felt almost routine.
As I sat in my office at Enchant, the bass from the club below was muffled but still throbbed through the floor. I barely registered it as I held the phone to my ear, listening to Aviana rant fearfully on the other end.
“The fire started in the bedroom. All of our summer clothes are ruined. The firemen said it looks like arson. We saw a hooded figure on the cameras, but it was obviously a woman, and Mia has the code to get inside. I know it was her. I can’t believe this is happening. Mia is going too far. She set the fire, Mythic. She’s trying to ruin me.”
My hands clenched into fists on my desk. “Avi, try to calm down.”
She took a deep breath, though it did little to steady her voice.
“Fuck,” I growled. “It’s not unusual for people to go to extreme lengths when they feel betrayed or threatened, especially if they’re facing federal charges. Mia really thinks you’re the reason she’s in this mess. She’s out for revenge.”
“I just don’t understand why she’s doing this. She was my best friend, and now she’s acting like a madwoman. What the fuck is she going to do next? I can’t believe this shit.”
“I’ll make it my priority to find her. You’re right, she’s going too fucking far. She knew what she was doing could get her locked up. She was being greedy. And she gotta be a stupid motherfucka to think you would snitch. I’m going to find her and knock some sense into her ass.”
“Please do.” Aviana’s voice was flooded with fear. “I’m scared, Mythic. I don’t want to keep looking over my shoulder.”
“I got this,” I reassured her, though my blood was boiling. “I’ll track her down and deal with this. You know I always got you, Avi.”
I heard her take another shaky breath.
“Just stay safe,” I said, trying to keep my tone calm but failing. “I’ll call you back once I’ve got something. Just keep your head on a swivel and stay indoors.”
“Okay,” she mumbled.
My rage was simmering as I ended the call. I couldn’t believe Mia had the audacity to do this.
