I sent a clear message to Don Pablo in Mexico before I even took Hernandez’s life that his cousin was getting sloppy and that’s why I was going to seize the crown, and that if he wants someone to run things right, then I’m the man.
I’m expecting his response at any moment. Hernandez’s men quickly fell in line with me on the throne. Thiago and Enzo Estrada are outcast from their own home and as for Lila Estrada, she’s at The Syndicate Academy, so her fate rests in her own hands. She may return here and accept me as the don or find her brothers. I don’t really care which it is.
“Sir, there’s a man here to see you by the name of Miguel Santoro,” Budimir says.
I glance at my watch and smirk. Right on time, but not the man I expected Pablo to send, as Santoro is Pablo’s right-hand man. Perhaps he was already state-side. “Did he say what he wants?”
He shrugs. “He said that he was in the neighborhood and has been instructed to welcome the new king.”
“Right.” I nod, knowing that this could go two ways. “Get eight armed men stationed in the dining room and lead him in there only once they’re inside.” I narrow my eyes, tapping my fingers on the desk. “And then fetch me.”
“Got it.” He leaves me then, my heart pounding hard in my chest.
This is the moment of truth. Will Mexico accept me as the new leader of the Estrada Cartel on the throne, or will they try to dethrone me? I’m not stupid enough to believe I can contend with the full might of the cartel.
I made a calculated risk that with Hernandez out of the way and only a twenty-year-old and twenty-two-year-old as possible heirs. They would opt for the strong man married to Hernandez’s daughter who took out their useless cousin to take over, rather than a couple of kids who don’t know what they’re doing.
The question is, were my calculation correct?
I stand and walk over to the dresser in front of the large mirror on the wall and pour myself some of Hernandez’s whiskey. It’s not like he needs it anymore. Slowly, I sip the vintage and look myself in the eyes.
It was the most satisfying moment, watching my uncle realize that he’d underestimated me all of this time. The look on his face was pure rage. I relished it. Hell, I wish I could extract the image from my mind and frame it on my wall.
Adrik is the black sheep of the family.
They never knew how right that was, but for none of the reasons they believed. As I stare at myself, I know that the darkness inside of me is deepening and growing. I’ll stop at nothing to get what I want.
My wife hates me, which was to be expected. I fear that getting her to provide me an heir is going to be a little trickier now that she witnessed me murder her father, and yet it must be done. If the meeting with Miguel Santoro goes the way I suspect, then the quicker I secure myself on the throne, the better.
“Sir, all is arranged,” Budimir says.
I knock back the rest of the whiskey and slam the glass down on the dresser, turning. “Perfect.”
I smooth the front of my jacket down and walk past him, into the corridor and toward the dining room. Once outside the closed door, I draw in a deep breath and open it.
This is the moment of truth.
“Miguel Santoro, to what do I owe this unexpected surprise?” I ask.
He stands, eyes roaming nervously toward the wall where my eight armed men are standing. “I came in response to your message sent to Don Pablo. I was already in North America.”
I gesture. “Have a seat.”
He takes a seat where I gestured and I sit at the head of the table, pinning him with my gaze.
“And what is your conclusion?”
His throat bobs slightly as he swallows. “Don Pablo agrees his cousin had gotten sloppy, and so we’re happy to support your rise to the throne under one condition.”
I raise a brow. “And what condition is that?”
“You ensure all heirs that Eliza may provide you with also have the Estrada name, as well as Volkov.”
Pathetic.
All they care about is a name, but it’s an easy condition to meet. “Done.”
Miguel nods. “Perfect. And there are some logistics to go through.” He glances at the men at the edge of the room. “It may not be something you wish to trouble yourself with. Do you have a second?”