Chapter Thirty-eight: Forgiveness Don’t Grow On Trees

Emiliano

FORGIVENESS DON’T GROW ON TREES

Performed by Bad Flamingo

I stepped out of the closet, clipping the last cuff link into place, and glanced over at Julio in his plain black cotton T-shirt and cargo pants. On nights like tonight, when I got to step out of the shadows and shine while he was stuck in the darkness, I wondered if he ever felt any resentment. But then again, I’d given him everything he had. The nice car, even nicer house, and hordes of women. If it hadn’t been for me, he would have ended up in a Mexican jail or dead long ago. I’d been the one who’d turned the handful of drugs he’d been trafficking into something bigger. If I hadn’t taken over, turning his tiny drug hobby into a business envied by the Russian, Colombian, and Mexican cartels, he’d have nothing.

Still, as more brother than cousin, he deserved to come out of the shadows. He’d been more loyal than the sister I’d protected with my own blood. Julio deserved a reward. Now that we were on the verge of changing the future of humanity, I’d make sure it happened. He’d rule the world at my side—king to my emperor. After tonight, I was sure I’d have everything I needed to give us the prizes we’d earned.

“Everything in place?” I asked.

“Both rooms are set up as instructed.”

“You get anything else out of him?” Unexpected fury spiked through me. The DEA agent hadn’t brought me what I’d wanted, offering an alternative way of getting it instead. It was a minor setback that would end with the same result—Natalia’s daughter in my care and Hatley destroyed.

“He’s told us everything he’s willing to give up. The rest he’ll take to his grave.”

The man had been stronger than I’d expected. It would have given me great pleasure to seep the last of his strength, to have him begging for death, but I’d give him to Julio as the first of many new gifts for his loyalty.

“Finish him.”

Julio’s eyes widened. “You don’t want to do it yourself?”

My cousin had earned this, and tonight, I had two more gifts arriving that I’d be able to play with. “He’s yours.”

He nodded, opening the door for me as I strode toward it. The black-and-white halls soothed me, tempering my anger at the minor setback. I’d save my fury for later—for Hatley and his plaything. As we came out of my private corridors, the door latched behind us, the scanner beeped red, and I headed for the ballroom where I could already hear the clink of crystal and the chatter of my guests. They’d been taken to the ballroom by the models I’d hired to do just that. Beautiful women dressed in sequined, see-through gowns that showed off the diamond bikinis and smooth skin glistening beneath.

My mother would have frowned at me for not greeting each guest in person, welcoming them to the Grand Laredo with a handshake and air kisses. But even if I didn’t dislike touching people, I’d prefer to arrive with the fanfare I had planned.

Satisfaction welled through me as the animal handler stepped out of the corridor from the kitchens. In his hand was a leather leash studded with black diamonds that was attached to the pacing animal at his feet. He passed the leash over, and I walked the last few steps to the ballroom’s doorway. Perfectly timed, the music stopped, the chandeliers dimmed, and a spotlight shone, revealing me and the jaguar prowling next to me. An audible gasp traveled through the room. Yes. This was what I wanted.

The room was draped in decadence just as I’d envisioned, the formal evening wear of the politicians and millionaires adding to the lavishness screaming wealth and privilege. Except, like an eyesore that needed to be carved out, flashes of color splashed through the room, burning my eyes and threatening to ruin the carefully crafted image I’d spent months creating. Not everyone had listened when the invitations had requested only black and white be worn. This made my pleased smile slip ever so slightly.

No matter. I would catalog every single person who hadn’t listened, and they’d be the first to be destroyed once I had the final code in hand.

As I stepped into the room with the jaguar prowling at my side, people stepped back instead of closer, slightly frightened.

Awed by the display of power.

This animal was me. I was it.

We were one.

And soon, the entire world would know it.