The Boss Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 3) by Victoria Paige (red scrolls of magic txt) 📗

Sousa have three boxes of XZite pills? “Isn’t he pushing crack?”

“Yes.”

“He couldn’t afford XZite pills.”

The BOPE captain crossed his arms and rocked on his heels. “Now is not the time to brag about this.”

“Why?” Antonio challenged. “My product is not illegal in Rio.” XZite wasn’t addictive and its only side effect was similar to a mild hangover, but its biggest draw was the consistency of the product because Anriotech only used the highest quality ingredients. Word-of-mouth touting its euphoric high without the common side effects problematic in its competitors made it an in-demand party pill across Europe and Asia, but U.S. Laws prohibited its sale. And as with all things illegal, it became a hotter commodity.

“That’s debatable.” An exasperated look flashed across Martinez’s face. He uncrossed his arms and tapped on the pictures. “Tell me why Sousa would have this?”

Antonio hitched his shoulders. “Someone is smuggling products out of Anriotech warehouses obviously. The boxes have serial numbers. I can have Nico check.”

At the mention of Nico, Martinez’s face softened. “How’s my nephew?”

“He’d be happier if his uncle came to see him more often.”

Martinez winced. “That’ll depend on Renata. She declared your estate off limits.”

“She has no right to do that. It’s my estate.” Antonio sighed and remembered his spat with Renata this morning. “It’s been over twenty years. I should have punched you for falling for Ida’s younger sister, but I should have really killed you for breaking Renata’s heart so soon after Dante’s death.”

“She pushed me away,” Martinez said. “We broke up. She blamed us for Dante dying, but you’re the only one she’s forgiven, hasn’t she?”

Antonio gave a shake of his head. “I’m not sure she has truly forgiven.”

“Is that why you gave her this job? As a sort of penance?” Martinez sneered.

“I offered for you to come live with Emilio.”

“And become one of his hitmen? No thanks.”

“You think the BOPE is always honorable?”

“No. And we’re getting off track,” Martinez shot back.

“And I say we get it out, right here, right now. I’m fucking sick of your holier than thou attitude. Is it because I now have the power and wealth? Do you realize how stupid it was that you declined Emilio’s offer to work for him?”

Martinez threw back his head and laughed. A laughter that rankled Antonio’s nerves because it was an incredulous one, like it should be Antonio who should be envious of Martinez’s life.

“You think money is everything, Antonio?” his friend said finally. “I see you on the society pages with a different girl almost every night. Beautiful ones … and yet you sleep alone most nights, eh?”

Fucking Ida and her big mouth.

“I’m happy with my wife,” Martinez continued. “We have a small house and a dog. God didn’t bless us with children, but I am happy, Antonio. How about you? How are you doing behind the gates of your big mansion?” His friend gave a heavy sigh. “I still remember our three musketeers. All for one and one for all, eh? I honored our vow, but you forgot.”

“I went after the man who killed Dante.”

“And what did you lose in the process?” Martinez asked.

Antonio stared at his old friend. “I’d already lost everything when Dante was killed because of us.”

“You still believe that? Or is it Renata who will never let you forget?”

He clenched his jaw.

Both of them stared at each other for a protracted beat.

“The autopsy on your employee is happening this afternoon,” Martinez said finally. “I’ll be in attendance.” He nodded at the pictures. “Call me when you find out about those boxes. My men will continue canvassing the Corindo favela.”

Antonio gave a nod.

His friend left his office.

Antonio continued staring at the door long after Martinez left. This was one of the reasons why he avoided his friend. He always held up a mirror, and Antonio never liked what he saw in it.

8

“Holy crap!”

Charly scrambled to a sitting position and gawked at the black woman staring at her from the foot of the bed. Her disorientation was momentary, though, as she took in the gray walls and the solitary desk and chair at the corner. She was in her new prison at a billionaire’s estate, definitely an upgrade from her makeshift cell in Carillo’s crumbling mansion back in Mexico. It appeared she even had a babysitter.

“It’s almost eleven,” Ida told her. “Senhor said he’ll be home for lunch.”

Charly glanced at the gauzy drapes, flapping with the breeze, bright sunlight filtering through the open windows. How long did she sleep?

“Nine hours,” the woman supplied as if reading her mind.

“You tucked me in,” Charly couldn’t help the tongue-in-cheek teasing.

A smile almost formed at the corners of Ida’s mouth. Almost. Charly recalled the patient assistance the housekeeper gave her in her sleep-drugged state and she had a suspicion she wasn’t such a hard ass after all. She had witnessed her warmth around Nico.

“It was what Senhor ordered.”

“Do you always do as he asks … or rather commands?”

Ida just stared at her.

Charly huffed. “Right. His Lord and Master wants my presence at the lunch table.”

“Oscar will move your things next to Senhor Andrade’s room at lunch time. You are given free rein of the house. But I suggest you wait for Senhor to show you around, so don’t wander. When you leave this room, go straight to the staircase and head down to the dining area.”

“Afraid I might rattle some skeletons in other rooms?” Charly teased.

Ida just stared at her.

“Right.” Charly resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Well, shoo then, so I won’t be late for his majesty.”

Ida gave her a slight bow and glided to the door and left the room.

That was weird.

What wasn’t weird was what nine-straight hours of uninterrupted sleep could do. She’d been working forty-eight hours straight, faking test results Carillo could give his buyer of the bioweapon when the semi-botched CIA rescue happened. What followed was a seven-hour race across Mexico trying to evade the Mexican Army. Charly’d admit Andrade had skills behind the wheel for a stuffed suit.