“Yes, I’m aware,” Stefano said coolly. “And I’m sure you can see why that’s a problem for me. Ronaldo might be your ally, but he’s my enemy. His violence against my people is escalating. He wants to take my territory for himself.” He knocked back the alcohol, draining his glass. “We’ve always been good friends, Adrián,” he continued smoothly. “As my friend, I’m sure you’ll support me in this war.”
I remained silent for a few seconds, stewing over this decision. I could reject Stefano’s proposal, but we were thoroughly in his power at the moment. If I refused him, he could simply kill me and take Valentina back to Hugo, offering her up to solidify a friendship with my father instead.
“I’ll talk to Caesar,” I finally allowed. “Our relationship with Ronaldo is over. I can’t have dealings with a man who threatens my friend.”
This was going to cause a very bloody mess, but I’d deal with the fallout when I got back to California. Caesar wasn’t going to accept this quietly. He’d planned to increase his wealth considerably by marrying Sofia off to Ronaldo. He had a lot to lose in this deal.
I hardened my resolve. I’d just have to ensure Caesar fell in line. I’d managed to force him out of power once before, when I’d first been exiled to America. Now that I was thoroughly in control of my territory, it wouldn’t be difficult to guarantee he complied with my orders.
Stefano barked out a cold, delighted laugh. “Come. Let’s celebrate,” he urged. “I have guest rooms on the ninth floor. Why don’t you all freshen up? Then, we can go down to my club. It’s not nearly as fun as your club, Adrián, but the drinks are strong and the women are beautiful.”
I ground my teeth. I didn’t want him mentioning my club in front of Valentina. She didn’t need to know about the sexual playground I owned as a front for trafficking cocaine. The patrons weren’t allowed to use drugs, which made it an ideal place to conceal our illicit activities in the back.
Stefano winked at Valentina, pretending to be oblivious to my irritation. “Although, you already have a dance partner, it seems. What about you, Mateo?” He turned his attention to my friend, who’d remained a silent shadow ever since we’d arrived in Mexico City. “I’m sure we can find someone pretty to occupy your attention.”
“We don’t need to go dancing,” I said curtly. “Besides, Valentina doesn’t have anything to wear.”
Stefano eyed her up and down, drawing a low growl from my chest. He held up his hands, placating. “Just trying to get an idea of her size. I’ll send someone out immediately to buy her something appropriate.” His shark eyes fixed on me. “We have to celebrate this new era in our friendship.”
“Of course,” I agreed, forcing a tight smile. I hated the power he held over me, but there was nothing to be done about it. I’d made my deal with this particularly dangerous devil the moment I’d called him to ask for help. As long as I was in his home, I had to abide by his whims. With only Mateo here to watch my back, we didn’t stand a chance against Stefano’s small army of men.
I had to protect Valentina at all costs, no matter how much I loathed her. She wouldn’t be returned to Hugo, not even over my dead body.Chapter 13ValentinaStefano Duarte had given the impression that he was wickedly intelligent, and apparently, he was smart enough not to push Adrián too far. Their tense conversation in the study had made it clear that he’d backed Adrián into a corner, and when challenged, my ruthless captor could turn feral.
Especially when it came to challenges to his complete ownership of me.
It seemed Stefano had taken note of the possessive way Adrián handled me, because the dress he’d sent up to our room was relatively modest. Adrián might be able to go to a dance club in jeans and a black button-down that he’d stashed in his pack, but I couldn’t show up in Stefano’s club wearing cut-offs and a t-shirt.
The head of the Duarte Cartel had assessed my size with exacting accuracy—he obviously knew his way around a woman’s body. The dress he’d selected for me was a little flirty with the layers of red fringe falling from my hips to mid-thigh, but the lacy neckline covered my chest up to my collarbones, revealing only my shoulders.
If Adrián found me appealing in the pretty garment, he gave no indication that he was remotely affected. Ever since I’d broken our kiss in the ocean, he’d been cruel and distant. And after my near-abduction this morning, he was particularly icy. He didn’t seem to want to make eye contact with me, but he did hold my hand in a vise-like grip as we rode the elevator down to the second floor of Stefano’s building.