Page 39 of Dangerous Liaisons
Slipping on his beanie, he gripped his shirt. She remained silent as he nodded and walked past her. Her gaze remained fixed on the sky, where dark clouds loomed ominously, a foreboding sign of what was to come.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Isabella sat in her office, struggling to shift her thoughts away from Mikhail, who was now on his way back to Russia with Sergei. The surrounding silence was overwhelming, amplifying the void left in his absence. She had given him explicit instructions to protect her son and wait for further directions. He wasn’t happy about it, but he said nothing—he would handle things there. For now, she had to concentrate on the growing threats concerning Diego Martinez.
“Hunter Collinsis here.”
“Send him in.”
He appeared in the doorway minutes later, Kira shutting the door behind him.
Isabella motioned for him to take a seat across from her. “What have you discovered about our little problem?”
He slouched into the chair, stroking his goatee as his electric blue gaze swept over her office before settling back on her. “I’d call it a massive problem,” he grunted, frustration evident in his voice. “Valhalla MC is involved in every criminal activity you can list, like drug trafficking, arms dealing, extortion. They use intimidation and fear to get what they want. It’s their primary tactic.”
She bit back her retort that he was describing every cartel in the world, including her own. “It makes sense why Diego would hire them.”
Hunter rubbed his goatee, deep in thought. “It’s not just a motorcycle club; it’s a gang. They don’t follow rules—only blind obedience.”
“Some might see that as an advantage.”
“Even if Diego’s offering them a lot of money, it’s not just about cash for them. Valhalla is after something more significant.”
“Gangs are driven by one thing: territory. Diego wants complete control of the gun trade. Valhalla wants everything you have. It’s the only reason I can think they’d agree to work with him.”
He leaned back, crossing his arms. “Which part of this snake do you want to handle first?”
It was an intriguing question, given that their own alliance was on shaky ground. “I’ll handle Diego. I can make a call. Focus on Valhalla and weigh your options. I’ll support whatever decision you make there.”
“None of us are going to come out of this clean.”
“My hands were never clean to begin with, Mr. Collins.”
After a moment of silence, he shifted gears. “And what about Xavier?”
Her expression flickered. “It’s complicated. Our lives don’t afford us the luxury of happy endings.”
“I can’t tell either of you what to do, even as president. He’s going to do what he wants, but if you hurt him, you’ll have to answer to all of us. This isn’t just about you two—it’s about our whole family, including Ava. You know how much she cares about him. If you betray that trust, there will be consequences, cartel at your back or not.”
Isabella had to admire his bravery, laying it all out without flinching, as if he didn’t care who she was or what she could do to his club. “You think you can intimidate me with threats?” she challenged, though a part of her knew the truth in his words.
“I’m not trying to intimidate you. I’m trying to make you understand. We protect our own. Our agreement is solid, as long as we trust each other, and that includes how you handle this thing with my best friend. You might findyourself on the wrong side of something bigger than you can handle.”
She eyed the dusty warehouse with a mix of apprehension and disdain. She stood beside Kira, the tension palpable as she checked her watch, noting the approaching time. The door creaked open, and Diego strode in, flanked by his imposing bodyguard. Four more men followed, their leather vests adorned with MC patches, signaling their affiliation.
“Have you come to negotiate terms?” His voice carried a hint of mockery.
Kira shifted beside her, eyes darting to Diego’s bodyguard, who stood like a statue, arms crossed. The tension thickened in the air as the members of the Valhalla MC fanned out behind him.
Isabella narrowed her eyes, her posture steady despite the condescending tone. “Negotiate? I don’t remember you having anything of value to offer me.”
“That’s cute, but you’re outnumbered and outmatched. If you didn’t come to negotiate, surely you aren’t willing to die just to prove a point?”
“You didn’t heed my warning, Diego. You attacked me using my man against me andattacked members of the most prominent motorcycle club, one that runs this territory. Did you think that would go unanswered?”
“I don’t fear those I consider beneath me. If the Crimson Legion refuses to work with me, they’re no longer of use to me. Since you accepted my offer to meet, you realize that a war between us would only result in casualties that would outweigh the reward. So, what’s your offer?”
“It’s simple. I want the territory and the resources. I’m willing to compensate your losses in a sign of good faith, but your presence here is over.” She scrutinized the men with him, her eyes landing on the tallest among them, who stepped forward with a confident air. “Are these the men that answer to you now?”