Sebastian dabbed at the corners of his mouth and stood, making sure they all left.
Carlos grabbed his wine glass and took a sip.
His family had been killed when he was a young boy. His father had been a mere soldier and no one had taken him in. Carlos had to learn at a young age how to survive, which wasn’t hard. His father had been a fucking bastard who liked to hit his son. Looking back, Carlos knew it was anger that had caused that. His father didn’t have any power with the Garofalo mafia, so he took it out on his wife and kids.
Carlos got the brunt of the beatings so his mother could be safe. He’d done so up until that final day. Carlos had been forced to stay home while his father took his mother, brothers, and sisters out for the day.
It had been a punishment.
All that had happened that day was Carlos had become alone. No family. No friends. And he’d worked his ass off.
Garofalo had given him the smallest part of the city to rule. A mockery of a capo, but he had no choice but to upgrade him as he’d proven his worth.
Now he ruled the fucking mafia, and they were known as the Santiago mafia.
“What was that?” Sebastian asked.
“I’m not marrying any of their fucking daughters,” Carlos said. “None of them. Did you see all of them?”
“They’re young.”
“They were fucking terrified. I don’t fuck a shaking stick.” Carlos imitated the quivering. “And they weren’t eating. What kind of sense is that? There are people starving.”
“Enough!” Sebastian said.
Carlos raised his brow.
They both knew that Carlos could take Sebastian. He never followed proper protocol. Had never been trained to see the hierarchy of their system. Didn’t fucking care for it. If it was left to him, he’d have put the capos to death to see who would make it out alive. The entire network had to be wiped out and changed up. Sebastian told him that it was impossible. Not until Carlos gained enough power.
“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?”
“Those women and those daughters are all trained to fear you. To fear all men. They are not used to being displayed. They are all virgins.”
Carlos rolled his eyes.
“Do any of you even care for a virgin? Is that what gets you off? Having a girl terrified of you? Scared of what you might do? And you cause them fucking pain!” He pointed to Sebastian.
“Do you think I don’t know what this is all about?” he asked.
“Enlighten me.”
“Raven.”
Carlos glared. “This conversation is over.”
“Raven is not mafia, Carlos. She is an MC woman, and she will never be accepted as your wife.”
Carlos snorted. “I don’t want her as my wife.”
“Are you planning on taking her as one of your mistresses?” Sebastian asked, sitting at the table. “Such a waste of good steak. Why did you have to throw it all on the floor?”
“They weren’t eating it.” Sitting in the stuffy suit was making his skin crawl.
He needed to get back to Fort Clover. Raven had fully recovered from the beating she took. She’d hated him visiting her every single day, but he’d done it anyway. He didn’t give a fuck if she liked it or not. However, he’d been dealing with Smokey and coming to a business arrangement, but Raven was never there.
Carlos had to admit he might have a slight … obsession with the young woman, but it was minuscule. As soon as he got the chance to fuck her, she’d be right out of his system.
No, she wouldn’t.
“Carlos, I know you’re angry that I’m not letting you remove some of the capos.”
He snorted.
“You have to be careful.”
“Do you think any of these little pieces of shit could take me out?”
“Yes,” Sebastian said. “You’re overconfident. I warned you that taking this position would come with the ability to play politics. You have to pick one of their daughters. It is a power play, but you have to make the necessary arrangements.”
“I want none of them,” Carlos said, placing his empty glass on the table.
His friend sighed. “I should have known you would be difficult.” Sebastian shook his head. “It is important that you marry one of them. That you produce an heir.”
Carlos held his hands up. “I am not going to do that.” Sebastian glared. “If you wanted someone you could easily manipulate, you shouldn’t have come to me. I told you when you made the suggestion that I would do everything my own way. Garofalo’s corrupt shadow is gone. We are in a stronger position than ever before. Our connections to the Hell’s Bastards help that. We have more manpower. Soldiers are prepared and better trained. Our wealth has increased. I’m doing my part.”
“Everything you have done will come undone if you bring that … woman here.”