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

it mattered even when it was Luis who thought bringing her here was a bad idea.

Despite the quiver in her chin, Dr. Bennett tilted it up defiantly. “Oh, and what is the code?”

“The end justifies the means.” Luis put on his glasses and stared steadily at her.

“You idiots,” Renata scoffed, gliding to where Dr. Bennett was clenching her fists at her sides. “If you want the good doctor to help us then you do it with honey.” His friend tucked her arm into the crook of the doctor’s arm and started leading her to the door.

What the hell was Renata doing?

Antonio started to rise.

“Oh, chill, Antonio. Dr. Bennett and I are going to have a chat.”

When Renata and their new guest disappeared from his office, he nodded for Oscar to leave.

After the door closed behind him, Luis asked, “What’s going on with you and Dr. Bennett?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Antonio replied coolly.

“You forget who you’re talking to, amigo,” Luis said shrewdly. “You were ready to jump out of your seat when I questioned her.”

“I have no problem with intimidation, but you forget that the cartel had her. Without knowing what was done to her, we don’t know her limits both physically and mentally.”

Luis frowned. “They hurt her?”

“I’m not sure. But given how mouthy she is, I’m sure Carillo has shaken her around.”

“We’re nothing like that asshole.”

“Of course not. We don’t hurt women. Ever. But we will find the traitor in our organization and we stand a better chance of doing that with her cooperation.”

“Understood.” The other man slipped out a cigar.

“I hope Renata doesn’t fuck up our chances,” Antonio said, then squinted his eyes disapprovingly at his mentor. “That thing will kill you.”

Luis shrugged and lit up. “If it’s your time, it’s your time.”

3

Renata Gallo was a strange woman.

One minute she was mocking and the next she behaved as though she and Charly were best friends. The Brazilian woman was striking in her red business suit. It was well-tailored and hugged her willowy form. Her thick, black, and wavy hair cascaded past the middle of her back.

And though Charly was an admirer of shoes and Renata’s black polka dot Mary Janes were something she coveted, she would always favor her “Smurfs” clogs as she fondly called them.

Comfort first before a bitching back.

The woman led her up the wide staircase to the second floor. They passed Ida who scowled at them.

“She doesn’t like anybody except Oscar and Antonio. Don’t worry,” Renata said. “That disapproving look was meant for me as much as it was for you.”

“Where are we going?”

“I keep a room here, even if I have a condo in Ipanema.”

When they reached the top of the steps, Renata let go of her arm and strutted down the hallway, turning around and gesturing with her arms as if relishing life.

“Villa Rosa has been in the Andrade family for generations. You can’t see its beauty at this time of the day, but you should see it in the morning. It’s a work of art. Emilio—that’s Antonio’s adoptive father—hired Venetian plasterers from Italy to do the walls.” Renata stopped her backward walking. In front of them was a double-life-size painting of the Madonna and Child. As Renata gave a rundown of the art hanging on the wall, Charly noticed the contrast between this wing’s lavish adornments to the bare walls of the one where her bedroom-jail was located. How involved in organized crime were the Andrades before?

When they entered a room lavishly decorated as befitting the villa, Renata spun around to face her, her expression shrewd. “I’m not the bitch you first thought I was. I was just testing you.”

“I figured that,” Charly said slowly even when she was doubtful of the woman’s declaration, but she did notice another set of shopping bags on the floor.

“We’re not bad people. Antonio—you probably know about his history. We grew up together in the favelas. We didn’t always have this. My brother Dante, Antonio, and Martinez called themselves the Três Mosqueteiros … the three musketeers. They were inseparable. I was the younger sister always trying to be one of the boys.”

Charly wasn’t sure where the woman was going with this. “Where are Dante and Martinez now?” If she did agree to help Antonio she wondered if she would have to deal with more of them.

Renata’s face dimmed, smile faltering. “Dante died right before Antonio was adopted by Emilio. Understand we had violent childhoods.” She exhaled heavily. “As for Martinez …” Her gaze dropped to the shopping bags as if she needed a moment to say more.

Pulling out a pair of beige pants and printed top, she walked over to Charly and handed her the clothes. “Martinez decided law enforcement was better for him.”

“I take it you’re not on good terms with this Martinez guy any longer?”

“Martinez is not always on good terms with Andrade Industries,” Renata corrected and tipped her chin at the clothes. “Wear that for dinner.”

Charly raised a brow. “You’re as bossy as Antonio.”

“Should I add a please?”

And just as sarcastic.

Renata gave her a once over. “I don’t know whether you’re this Charles Bennett Antonio and Nico think is involved in this virus situation. You might have been forced to do it, but if you help us create a vaccine … ”

“I’m already doing that, but I think he has another motive for having me here.”

Renata gave an exasperated sound. “He’s very secretive about whatever he is doing and it’s making everyone nervous.”

“Nervous how?”

“Like all of us are suspects. Poor Pierre. He’s feeling horrible about this and is afraid Antonio will pin this all on him.”

“Why?”

“Because it was his people who transported the XZite pills to Claudette that turned out to be the virus pearls.”

“Are you saying …”

“Antonio needs a scapegoat that is high up in his company to prove he will do whatever it takes to clear Andrade Industries’ name beyond reasonable doubt.” Renata huffed. “Pierre is convinced, after the unveiling, Antonio is going to turn him over to