“Who cares about trivial things, we need to get inside,” Leo grumbled. “I won’t miss this opportunity with Diego because we were late.”
“Leo is right. We need to get inside,” Maxim agreed and led the way.
With no other choice, Zoe followed Maxim and Leo inside. Boris had Aleksei walk beside him in the front so Zoe was surrounded by the other guard in the back. She felt her heartrate skyrocket as they entered the building and she saw more guards. More than were supposed to be allowed in the other building. Even Maxim’s guards started to look uneasy. They were outnumbered.
They walked into the back of the parlor to one of the service rooms. Two guards stood on either side of the door.
“Only one guard is allowed inside,” Viktor informed them.
Maxim nodded to Boris who tilted to his head toward the men. They waited while he followed Maxim and Leo inside. Zoe gave one final look to Aleksei before following into the room, and then the door was closed behind her.
It was a large room with dark blue carpet with gold swirl designs and white walls. Chairs were lined up four across and five deep with a center aisle. Viktor stood off on the side of the front row.
Zoe could see a coffin in the center of the wall in front of them and a man leaning over it. He wore tan dress pants and a black silk shirt.
“Diego,” she whispered to herself.
She’d heard so many stories about him, but no one had ever seen him. He was like a ghost. For a moment she wondered if it really was him or a body double. Notorious drug dealers like him sometimes did that.
“Buenos dias, friends,” came a deep and heavily laced Hispanic voice before Diego’s head came up and he turned around with a wide grin.
Standing up, Zoe noted he was close to six feet tall. He wasn’t muscular, but he wasn’t thin either. His dark brown hair hung down to his shoulders. The same color as his thick beard. Zoe couldn’t help but stare at his bright crystalline blue eyes. She’d never seen such blue in someone’s eyes before.
“Diego, I want you to meet Maxim and his son Leonid,” Viktor introduced.
Those eyes suddenly landed on her. “And who is this lovely senorita?”
“Zoe Sanders, she is Maxim’s head of operations,” Viktor informed him.
“Hmm…” He looked her over appreciatively before turning to Maxim. “I hope you don’t mind meeting me here instead of that horrible place in the middle of nowhere. I love places like this. They are so peaceful. Quiet. In my culture, death is not the end but just part of the journey. Which is why I chose this location. A symbolization of change. Of new life. A new chapter.”
“Mr. Fuentes, it’s great to finally meet you,” Leo spoke up, stepping forward. One of the guards standing off to the side stepped forward, a pistol appearing in his hands.
Leo froze in his tracks like a deer caught in headlights. Everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath until Diego waved to his guard. “It’s alright, Juan. We are all friends here.” Diego smiled broadly as he approached Leo. “Leo, I’ve heard so much about you.” He held his hand out which Leo shook eagerly.
“And you, sir.”
“Sir?” The corner of Diego’s lip twitched in humor. “We are about to become business partners. Diego, please.”
“Diego,” Leo repeated, a broad grin spreading across his face.
“What exactly is your proposal?” Maxim asked as he stepped forward, a hard edge in his voice. He didn’t have stars in his eyes like Leo did. He was a smart businessman who wanted all the facts before moving forward.
“Have a seat and we can discuss it.” Diego waved to the chairs around him. Maxim hesitated a moment before taking a seat in the first row. Leo followed behind. The guards fanned behind them in the next row. “Zoe, please join us.” Diego signaled her over.
Zoe took the chair next to Leo, her eyes scanning the guards and the exits around her.
“Viktor mentioned a partnership.”
“Not exactly.” Diego folded his hands together and pursed his lips together between his index fingers before pointing them at him. “More of a new ownership.”
Maxim’s eyes darted from Diego to Viktor. His body started to tense up. “I don’t understand.”
“You’re out, Max,” Viktor said matter-of-factly. “Leo is the new head of the family as of this moment.”
“This is a joke, right?” No one said anything. Maxim stood up, straightening his already straight suit. “Who do you think you are, you can talk to me this way? Why go through this charade to bring me here for nothing? I will not stand for this. This was a waste of my time.” He pointed an angry finger at Viktor. “You and I will have words about this. Come, Leo. We are leaving.”
“No,” Leo said firmly. “I will not.”
