Page 59

I ran toward my vehicle.

“Now, we play chicken.”

CHAPTER 17

Genevieve

“What is the status of the various operations?” I asked, looking directly at Antonio. While Emiliano was technically in charge as commander, Antonio had been running the operations. Emiliano had pushed me into naming him as a lieutenant, considered second in command. I wasn’t certain I had that trust as of yet.

He didn’t hesitate, bringing me a folder, which surprised me.

There were a half dozen other men in the room; four were hitmen and two were considered Falcons. I’d insisted the Falcons be involved as their sole responsibility was scouting the streets for information as well as keeping tabs on the rival groups and the police.

I was trying to cover all bases, even though in my mind I was just winging everything I was doing.

With the folder in my hand and every man staring at me, Emiliano included, I took a few moments to search throughthe file. There was nothing worse than feeling the heat of embarrassment because I had no fucking clue what I was doing. I turned around to face the window, taking very calculated steps in an effort to convince them I wasn’t so clueless.

Right.

However, after a couple of minutes of flipping papers, I began to see that whatever accounting software program Antonio had used had provided what appeared to be a very accurate spreadsheet and profit and loss statement. In addition, there were charts, graphs, and information from a database on customers, dollars owed and those behind on payments.

I spun around, taking immediate steps toward him. “Where did you do this?”

Antonio looked taken aback. “I handle it. My laptop. The boss, I mean Mr. Morales wasn’t interested in having it installed on the main computer at the office.”

That was because it wasn’t networked and the attorney who’d worked in the position before had done shit.

“We’re going to sit down and have you install it on a network system that I’ll handle. Is that clear?”

He seemed startled as well as pissed. “Whatever you say,Madame Morales.”

I didn’t back down, crowding his space. “I don’t appreciate your attitude, Antonio. Not one bit.” I allowed my harsh tone and words to sink in. “What I do appreciate more than anything was you taking the time to put this together. It’s impressive as fuck.”

He was even more startled, the corners of his mouth twitching. “I think it’s important to run the business like a business. I mean no offense, boss.”

Point three or maybe four for me. I’d lost count and was fearful they’d all be sucked away if I made the dumbest decision of my life.

“You’re still in charge of operations. Don’t go anywhere. Maybe a raise is in order.”

Maybe he didn’t catch I was teasing him, but at least he had almost smiled.

“I’ll be happy to meet with you,” he added.

“Good. Emiliano. What about word on the street? Anything on the Turks or the Moroccans?”

He shifted a glance to one of the Falcons. I couldn’t remember all their names to save my life. “Pedro did hear something.”

There was much more hierarchy within my father’s cartel than there was in the justice system.

Pedro stepped up, saluting like a true soldier. As if this was a war and I was a military commander. The thought caught me off guard, hitting me harder than it should.

I was a leader in a war I’d wanted nothing to do with and had no business being in.

He started speaking in Spanish and I needed to stop him.

“Let’s use English for now. Okay?”

Pedro nodded and I wasn’t able to tell by the flash in his eyes if he was amused or annoyed at my request. At this point, I was nolonger in the mood to be dealt any crap. A decision was looming and I was a nervous wreck.