Page 11 of Junior Has a Secret
“Just make sure you hate the right people.”
“I don’t hate,” I correct.“I judge.And anyone who tells you my badge doesn’t work that way, is living in a make-believe world.”
“As you sit in judgement of me?”
“You judged me unworthy a long time ago,” I remind him.“Ironically, the minute Kane walks in that door, I’m the only way you stay alive.”
“Without the cartel, the Society would rule far more than any of us want them to rule.”
I laugh with disbelief.“And that’s your justification for running drugs and weapons, and beheading people?”
“Do you think Kane would be able to use the cartel to threaten Pocher if we sold cupcakes and lemonade?”
No denial of his crimes.At least he owns his demons.Still, I don’t like that this particular monster knows the way Kane uses the cartel to iron claw the Society, but then, he was never dead and always involved.“Why hide all those years?”
“I didn’t hide.I manipulated my circumstances to my and my son’s benefit.The Society had a hit out on me.I needed them to know even if I died, I lived on through my son.”
“Your brother was in control.”
“He was never in control.Kane had to fix every fuckup he made, of which there were many.But despite this, despite there being no doubt Kane was the real force inside the cartel, he has one foot in and one foot out and the Society knows it.Pocher knows it.Making your father a king, and taking Kane with him, is meant to castrate Kane, and you with him.”
The idea that Pocher, and even my father, believe that they’ll control us through oil deals and alliances is expected and misplaced.The idea that my father’s ultimate rise to power is about us, not my father, is another story.“Get to the point,” I order.
“They now know the bull they will awaken if I’m put down.”
“You mean Kane.”
“Of course, I mean, Kane.”His tone is arrogant.In fact, I’d say he’s the epitome of arrogance which translates to fool, and it’s that very quality that has placed him right here on my couch, waiting to die.And he can’t even see the truth of the matter, but then his type of fool never sees anything but their own self-proclaimed glamour.As if proving my point, he adds, “I’ve decided my son doesn’t need to take over, not yet.Imagine the power we have with him on the inside of their operation and me at the helm of the cartel.”
“It’s funny how you think you have any say in anything right now.”
He leans forward, sets the glass on the table, and his elbows land on his knees.“Think about it, Lilah.Kane will have the breathing room to reach beyond Pocher and destroy the Society.”He grins with pearly white teeth.Wherever he’s been hiding, the cosmetic services were plentiful.“He won’t be hislittle bitch.”He slaps his legs, apparently highly amused with himself before he points a finger at me, “And as a bonus, everyone who claimed Kane was running the cartel, will eat a whole lot of crow.I’m here.I was never gone.They were just stupid.”
“Stupid calling people stupid,” I say.“Priceless.”
And that’s when the real Roberto decides to show himself.He’s on his feet in a blink, and headed my direction.
This is going to be fun.
Chapter Ten
By the time the kingpin has rounded the table, he’s reaching for me, but much to his surprise, the blade I’d palmed with the whiskey bottle is immediately at his throat.He freezes as I pierce his skin, and the blood oozing down his throat is my sweet reward.This night only gets better.Seconds tick by and I wait for him to use his big body for leverage, welcome it even.That’s when he becomes useless to me and my blade goes in his belly.
Time stretches and we just stand together, one move from a deadly ending.I could kill him.Ishouldkill him, but the idea that he reclaims the role of kingpin, rather than Kane, is a drug better than any he’s ever sold before tonight.
Abruptly, he lifts his hands in surrender, and with gut wrenching regret, I allow him to back away.“I’m giving you space,” he declares.
The desire to kill him burns inside me, and the idea that I chose not to is already ripe and punishing.It’s just plain pissing me off.I motion to the couch, irritation in my tone.“Go sit your ass down.”
His eyes meet mine, dark and piercing.“I didn’t believe you, but you like it, don’t you?Killing.Blood.”
“Oh, sit down, Roberto.If I needed a therapist, I’d go get a pie.You won’t need either if you test me.”
His chest lifts with a breath and he shakes his head in disbelief before he rounds the table and sits down.I claim my seat across from him and pour him another drink.“Go ahead.Drink it.It’s likely your last drink.Or don’t.I don’t give two fucks.But please be stupid enough to make me regret letting you live.”
His gaze narrows on my face, seconds of his inspection bleeding into action.He downs the drink as if he doesn’t want to piss me off.Good plan.“Do you know why I like to stab bad people?”I ask.
“Justice?”