Chapter 19

Javier scanned the dock,watching as the latest shipment of drugs and weapons arrived. Of course, they were all hidden amongst the statues and furniture that was on the manifest.

The only people on the dock were the men who worked for the cartel. The officials had been paid off and were fuck knew where. Probably at the local whorehouse fucking away their cash bonus—like they always did.

Nothing had changed in all the years he’d been there. That was almost eight years now.

Eight long years of dealing with the scum of the world. At least his position in the cartel afforded him luxuries that other members didn’t get.

The price was becoming too high now.

Way too high.

A cellphone vibrated his pocket. Before he pulled it out, he looked around to ensure no one was lurking where they shouldn’t be. Javier would’ve known if he wasn’t alone, but it paid to be cautious. “Yeah.”

“You good?”

“As much as can be expected. What do you want?”

“Checking in.”

“Well, I answered, so I’m still breathing. Any other reason you’re checking in?” Javier asked.

The calls came periodically. Over the last year, they’d become a bit more frequent than they’d been in the past.

“Got an update on the mutual package of interest?”

He scraped a hand down his face, grimacing when he encountered his beard. He was used to it, but he didn’t like it. “Nothing other than still biding time until collection. What about your end?”

“Status the same. None the wiser to what the truth is.”

Except the one person they didn’t want to know the truth knew it now, which increased Javier’s stress, even though no move had been made.

“I’ll let you know if anything changes. He’s getting a little antsy, so I predict he’s going to want to make a move soon.”

“The second he does, let me know. Currently package is safe and has a safety net surrounding it.”

“I will. I’m out.” Javier disconnected and popped the phone back in his pocket. He’d destroy it later.

He was well aware of the safety net surrounding the subject of his call. He’d even had brief contact with someone associated with that very safety net.

The once-wide circle was getting smaller and smaller, until there was only going to be a thin line between the package and who wanted to claim it.

When they did, there was going to be bloodshed.

If he had to make the ultimate sacrifice, he would, but it wouldn’t absolve him of all the bad he’d done.

This was his life, and he’d live with the consequences.