Chapter 17
Michael
“So you are telling me Romeo is in jail?” I ask Ricco.
“Yes. Apparently he entered the US without going through customs. He had one of his private jets fly into a municipal airport and came in under the radar, or so he thought. Immigration got him coming out of Tiffany’s downtown, of all places.”
“And how did immigration know?” I ask skeptically.
Ricco grins proudly. “Because I told them.”
“You what?” I asked.
“I told them. You’ve got connections, Mikey, so do I. When I was digging around Gallardi, I found out about their arrival and took it from there. I held onto the information in case it was needed. After Zaira disappeared, I figured it was needed, so I took it upon myself to call Elliott Rivers. You know, your man in immigration. He took it from there.”
“Ricco, my man, you are one of a kind. Thank you,” I reply.
“I expect a raise for this one.”
“Done,” I say. “So what next?”
“Well, from what Rivers tells me, they will detain him as long as they can and then ship him back to Mexico where he belongs. You’ve wiped out all the men—except his personal bodyguard—he brought with him, so he has nothing left here.”
“You think it’s as simple as that?” I ask.
“Look at it this way, Mikey. We beat him at his own game. He thought we’d crumble, especially when he took Zaira. But instead, we came in guns blazing. He will definitely have to return to Mexico to regroup. It will give us time. I doubt he will even call you to get an answer. He will go back to Mexico with his tail between his legs for now, but he will return. I’m sure of that.”
“I don’t know, Ricco,” Alex says. “A cartel the size of Gallardi has a lot of muscle. You don’t think he’ll just call in reinforcements?”
“Yeah, a lot of muscle in another country,” I reply. “I think Ricco is right. He has nothing to fight back with here, especially if immigration is on his ass. They won’t let him return nor will he be able to bring anyone in for a while.”
“He’s done,” Ricco adds.
“It’s too easy,” Alex adds.
“Well, I agree. It is too easy. I’m definitely not gonna let my guard down, but I’m also gonna kiss Romeo’s ass good-bye because for now, he’s out of my hair.”
“I hear ya,” Alex replies. “I’m just saying, don’t count him gone for good. Men like him don’t take no for an answer.”
“I know, little brother. I know.”
“So what about Darius?” Ricco asks.
“I plan on dealing with him tonight. I want you boys to work him over. Get everything you can from him on Gallardi and Romeo. The more information we have, the more prepared we will be when he resurfaces. Also, find out if he was involved with the other matter we talked about. I’m sure we’ve found our mole.” I pause, then say, “Gio should be leaving for the airport. Get him on it. Tell him to take the ladies directly to the hospital. Ice, Rebel, and Spike are already headed over.”
“Got it. You gonna let Zaira in on the Darius thing?” Ricco asks.
“I am. It’s what she wants.”
“Michael, are you insane! Torturing and murdering someone is not something Zaira should witness. She already thinks you are a ruthless killer!” Alex exclaims.
“Alex, I think things are changing with Zaira. Just trust me on this. She wants payback, and I plan to prepare her for what she will witness. She will have the opportunity to back out, but I will bet money on it that she will want to stay and watch.” I chuckle. “Knowing Zaira, she will probably want to help.”
“Fuck, Mikey, I sure as hell hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Oh, little brother, for the first time where Zaira is concerned, I know exactly what I’m doing.” I remember the look on her face before I left her room last night, prompting me to conclude this meeting. “Speaking of Zaira, I need to talk to her. Are we done here?”
“That’s all I got,” Ricco says.
