Page 81 of Secrets of the Six

I'm going to bury this bitch for a family name that isn't actually mine by birth. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Señor, but your family is in the business of spice trading, no?"

Montenegro is clearly thrown by the question and crosses his arms over his chest, resting his forearms on his belly. "We are."

"And in order to trade with other cities, take your products to other ports, you depend on ships to move your goods, correct?"

There's a bit of worry in his face now, as if realization is finally sparking to life in those bloodshot eyes. "Yes –"

"Ships owned and operated by House Otero, right?" I blaze onward.

"W- w- well, we could – "

I interrupt his stutters, lifting my hand to silence him. "It's a yes or no question, Señor Montenegro. Does your family business not soley depend on Otero Shipping for you to be prosperous?"

"We use – "

"Yes or no?"

He exhales an exhausted breath. We both know the answer to my question. "Yes." There's defeat in his tone that excites me, so I narrow in on my kill.

"And if House Otero decided to no longer ship your goods, who would you turn to? If I'm not mistaken, Otero Shipping is the only shipping company in Orlencia that is trusted across the seas. So, I ask you again, Señor Montenegro. If House Otero did not ship your goods, who would you turn to?"

His silence is deafening. I can see the wheels in his mind spinning. When he doesn't respond I bob my head. "As I suspected. Now, if you refuse to apologize for your careless words, I will consider it an act of war against House Otero and House Lozano." I smirk, the taste of his defeat delicious. "I assure you, Señor, you do not wish to make us your enemies, even if you do think so little of us."

Montenegro pales. Stubborn sputtering is all that comes from his crusty lips. He turns to the other men for aid but when he receives none, Don Severo steps up.

"Apologize, Montenegro, for your offense."

Surprise leaches the color from Montenegro's face. "Don Severo – "

Severo doesn't wait for his excuses. "The lady is correct. You do not wish House Lozano and House Otero to be your enemies. Quite honestly, you cannot afford them to be your adversaries."

"But Don Severo – "

"And considering how taken my son is with her, I suspect she will soon become a Murrieta and have the weight of our house backing her as well. I would advise you to reconsider your stance in offering the lady an apology."

If I wasn't hell bent on destroying House Murrieta, I might take a liking to Severo's commanding presence.

Rogelio's arm snakes around my waist and his palm splays across my stomach. It's a small gesture of possession that sets Remus on fire. Behind his neutral expression, his narrowed eyes are alit. He puffs on his cig as if it's the only thing restraining him from punching Rogelio square in the jaw.

Señor Montenegro's shoulders slump, finally seeing how small and insignificant he is without the houses on his side. He bends to my will. "Forgive me, Señorita Lozano. I meant no offense."

He did but I will let it slide for now. I've accomplished my goal of belittling him and reminding him of his place.

I offer him a sweet and venomous smile. "All is forgiven."

But all is not forgiven. Not in the slightest. I wear my anger like armor and vengeance my shield. I will plunge my blade deep into his blackened heart even if the Saints condemn me for it in the afterlife.

Thankfully, the rest of the evening is quite uneventful, filled with conversation, flirtation, and dancing with Rogelio. He makes no mention of the verbal sparring between me and Montenegro, but I can tell something is off with him and I'm hoping my boldness in speaking my mind against a man isn't going to doom our newly blossoming courtship.

When I'm quite certain it's late enough in the evening for me to bid my farewells, I thank my host and hostess for a marvelous evening before allowing Rogelio to walk me to my awaiting carriage and see me off with a sweet kiss on the cheek.

"Would you like me to accompany you home?" he asks. "I would sleep much better knowing you arrived safely."

I slide my hand up his jaw and smile. "You are far too good to me."

Instead of turning down his offer, as inconvenient as it might be in my timeline, I welcome him as my alibi. My hands will be bloody by the end of the evening and his testimony attesting to my whereabouts might very well save me should Severo Murrieta sniff where he shouldn't. I'm no fool. To underestimate the Master of Justice would be a grave error on my part. I'm not perfect, if I was, I never would have gotten caught in the first place. Better to cover my tracks now, in case the Hound of Orlencia comes hunting.

"I would very much love your company," I wave him inside to join me.