Bow Down(171)

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“So am I. When I was your age, I used to stay up all night with worry. I was building this fucking mob back then, you know. Many men wanted me dead.”

“I wouldn’t sleep either if I were you.”

“No, you wouldn’t. You’re not me and you still don’t sleep. Why is that, Rafa?”

“I don’t know. I’m just not the fucking type to be relaxed, I guess.”

“That’s a real shame.” He leaned back, sipping his coffee.

“Did you call me here just to talk to me about sleep?”

“No,” he said. “Of course not.” He raised an eyebrow. “Got somewhere to be?”

“No,” I said, drinking my coffee. “Just on edge.”

“Understandably. Since Ernesto wants to kill you.”

“Fuck Ernesto.”

“Careful. He’s your superior.”

“I know, but fuck him anyway.”

Arturo grinned and laughed softly. “I like you. Always have. When Vince brought you up, I was proud of both of you.”

“Thank you,” I said, surprised. “I didn’t know you knew who I was.”

“I keep an eye on all the rising stars in my organization. Especially when they’re pissing off one of my oldest and most loyal bosses.”

“His goons deserved it,” I said.

“Probably.”

“So I’m not apologizing.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

“What are you asking me to do?”

“Tell me what the girl knows.”

I sighed, shaking my head. “She doesn’t know anything.”

“Unfortunately for you both, I don’t believe that.”

“Sir, I know it seems suspicious, but I wouldn’t risk my life for a girl who’s a danger to our organization.”

“I believe you,” he said. “But she knows something. And if she doesn’t, she better learn something fast, because Ernesto wants you both dead, and I can’t keep him at bay for too long.”

“I can find something.”

“Good. Get her help if you need it. Find us information on the Spiders, and find it fast.”

I nodded and stood. I put my cup back down on the tray on the side table. Arturo watched as I moved back toward the door.

I paused and looked back at him.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“You know about the rift in the organization.”

“I know all about it.”

“What are you doing about it? You haven’t come down on either side yet.”

He smiled at me. “I’ve been doing this for a long time. You know that?”

“I know that.”

“I’ve seen things like this before. This isn’t the first issue to tear us apart.” He shrugged. “The bosses will come to a consensus. And if they don’t, they’ll kill each other until only the strongest capos are left.”

“What about the soldiers?”

“Some will die. Most will be absorbed into other territories.”

“You want war.”

“I don’t want war. I want peace. But I understand that war may be the only option. You can’t fear it.”

“I don’t fear war. I don’t fear violence.”

“Good,” he said, grinning. “Go embrace it.”

I turned and left, not sure what to think.





19





Cassidy





I woke up in an unfamiliar bed and had to squash a moment of panic before it took me over completely.

I stayed totally still, wrapped in foreign sheets, until slowly I remembered what had happened the night before. I remembered Rafa coming into my apartment. I remembered his body against mine.

I remembered going temporarily insane and taking the condom off his cock. I remembered him coming inside me.

I sighed, stretching. I had barely gotten any sleep, and I still felt exhausted. I looked over at the clock and sighed. It was already past nine in the morning. Our flight from my apartment late at night had taken a few hours, so I was really dragging as I got out of bed.

I opened the bedroom door and found the bag I had packed in a hurry on the floor. I took it back inside, did my morning routine in the beautiful bathroom, and then got changed.

I went into the living room, but Rafa was nowhere to be seen.

The fresh smell of coffee wafted up from the kitchen area, so I went over to grab a mug. Next to the coffeemaker was a piece of paper folded in half, propped up against the mugs.

I picked it up and opened it.

“Cassidy, sleep as late as you want. I have some business to attend to. Feel free to do whatever you want, but be careful. Rafa.”

I sighed again and tossed the note aside. I got some coffee and then sat down on a kitchen chair, crossing my legs.