I needed to remind myself of that every few hours or the savage would be unleashed far too soon.
Cruz kept me waiting, as if I had nothing better to do. He wanted to make a point.
So did I.
I sensed his presence behind me, heading toward the bar. The reflection in the veiled sunlight also allowed me to capture his tension. He was on edge, which pleased me. We’d communicated three times in the past four years, which I believed was a method in his arsenal of purposeful denial that even while behind bars, I was still the man in charge.
Sighing, I took another sip of my drink, allowing him the opportunity to prepare whatever he needed to puff himself up. Only when I heard the front door opening and closing did I turn around. At least the girl wouldn’t be privileged to overhear what would be a short conversation. I studied him for a full minute, realizing he’d aged significantly in the years since I’d seen him. Our business had a tendency to do that to a man, sucking his life’s blood away, the constant threats and need for violence absorbing all the energy.
“What do you want, Alessandro?” Cruz asked. There was no waver in his voice, but he’d been taught that in the face of an enemy, there could be no trace of fear.
At least I could admire his tenacity.
“What do I want?” I repeated, sliding a quick look toward Edwardo. He appeared passive, nursing his drink and keeping his gaze on the window instead of our interaction.
“You’re here. That means you want something,” Cruz huffed, finally turning to face me.
“What I want is what belongs to me. I’m going to make this as painless as possible. As of now, you no longer hold command of the organization.”
He laughed, lifting his glass as if in celebration.
I knew better.
He was mocking me.
I took another sip of my drink, placing it on the bar. His hospitality was already waning.
“You think it’s that easy to walk back in, Alessandro? Do you have a clear understanding of the shit you left behind, the mess I had to clean up?”
I took deliberate steps toward him, never blinking. When I was within a few inches, I waited until he retreated a few inches, but it was a telling statement.
The man continued to be afraid of me.
“I don’t need to think about what’s easy, Cruz. All I need to do is handle business, which it appears is something that has taken a backseat in your life. As of now, you’re no longer at the helm. In fact, consider yourself nothing but an employee and as such, you’re expendable. Send me updates by the end of the day. Period.”
“You don’t rule me, and you never will.”
My patience had reached the end with my brother. I’d been told flesh and blood meant more than money or power, but I’d called my father’s bluff then and I would again now. I didn’t hesitate, wrapping my hand around Cruz’s neck, slamming him against the wall.
“Alessandro,” Edwardo cautioned, coming close enough I could reach out and punch him. “You need to stop the bullshit. You’re on the same side.” His exasperated voice amused me.
“Are we?” I asked, throwing a hateful glance his way before directing my full attention to my brother, digging my fingers into his skin. “From where I see it, Cruz believed he was the master in charge. That will never happen.” Cruz was shorter by only an inch, but I used it to my advantage, crowding closer as I squeezed, enjoying the flush rushing across his cheeks.
“Fuck you, brother,” Cruz hissed, coughing.
Perhaps I was pushing things, exacerbating the situation, but I yanked my weapon into my hand, holding it out to the side. The smirk on my brother’s face only kicked the irritation into full blown rage. “If you challenge me, I’ll finish this.”
“Alessandro,” Edwardo pushed.
I took a deep breath, releasing Cruz’s neck, gritting my teeth from the hatred I felt. I knew enough about how he’d handled business from Matteo to realize I’d need to watch my back.
That meant Cruz would need to watch his front. When I came at a man, allowing him to experience the necessity of revenge, I always made certain he saw me coming. It was the only fair thing to do.
I allowed a smile to curl on my lips before heading to the bar, finishing off my drink. After placing the glass on the surface with a hard thud, I headed for the door, my weapon still in my hand.
“Be careful, brother. Every man has a weakness. Once found they can be turned into a viable source for revenge. It will be enjoyable to watch as you writhe in agony.”
Cruz’s words amused me, which widened my smile. “I look forward to the challenge, but keep in mind that winner takes all.”