I nod. “So it does.”
We get into the SUV and follow the truck as he drives it into the warehouse building, where ten cartel men are waiting to unload and sort the product. Double the product we were expecting, so I may need to draft in more men.
Once safely inside with the engine turned off, we all breathe a little easier.
“You can take the night off for being the only man with big enough balls to drive the thing, Gleb.”
Gleb smirks at the others. “Thanks, boss.”
I shrug. “Don’t mention it. Just get word to Juan that we need another ten men down at the docks to sort the product, or they’ll be here double the time we expected.”
He nods. “Got it.”
“You can drive me to the Plaza hotel. I’ve got business to attend to there.”
“Sure.” He climbs into the driver’s side of the SUV and I glance at Budimir. “Make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“Sir.” He bows his head and I get in the other side of the SUV.
I’m ready to shake down a woman with two fucking lives to ensure that my merger of Estrada Holdings INC and Devereaux INC goes off without a hitch. It will buy me more power than Don Pablo can imagine, and then I’ll be untouchable. If he hits me after this, there will be hell to pay.
* * *
As I walkinto the Plaza, I can’t shake the nagging sensation in my gut.
Deep down I want to make a plan and take back Eliza as soon as possible, but I know that’s probably what they’re hoping for. They want me to break the rules and go guns blazing into their territory trying to find her. I’m too methodical to lose my head and act like that. Instead, I need to stay the course and act unaffected.
Elaine Daniels is where I expected her, sitting at the bar, waiting for her husband. Or one of them at least. I smirk as I make my way through the bar and take a seat right next to her.
She glances at me. “I’m sorry, but I’m saving that seat for my husband.”
“For which one, Elaine? Is it Gary tonight or Liam?”
Her face pales. “Do I know you?”
I shake my head. “No, but I know you, and I know you have two husbands and kids with one of them.” I throw down the photographic evidence Budimir collected. “And if you want it to remain a secret, you’ll do exactly as I say.”
Her face is as pale as a sheet as she shuffles on her barstool. “What do you want?” She hisses, grabbing the photos and stuffing them back into my hand. “Gary will be here any moment.”
“I need you to vote in favor of the merger with the Estrada Holdings INC.”
Her expression turns solemn as she shakes her head. “Everyone knows it has links with the cartel. We can’t have our company sullied by them.”
“You can and you will if you want to keep up your charade.” I arch a brow. “Otherwise, you’ll lose both of them.”
She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip as she considers my threat and then nods. “Fine, bury that, and I’ll vote for the merger.” Her brow furrows. “I assume you must have had something on Jason to get him to even suggest it.”
I tap my finger against my nose. “That’s for me to know and you to wonder.”
Her jaw tightens as she glares at me angrily. It’s an expression I know so well and yet she’s the one at fault, fucking about with two men’s lives. “Fine, I will vote in favor, but that still leaves you one short.”
I smirk, as it’s funny that this woman works so closely with both Jason and Kevin and has no idea what’s going on between the two of them. “Already in hand.”
Her brow hitches. “You have dirt on someone other than Jason?”
“I can’t tell you, but I’ll see you at the vote. If you fail to vote in agreement, both Gary and Liam will receive those photos.”
Her lips straighten into a tight line and she nods her head.