Page 84 of Alpha

“We’ll figure it out,” Trigger assured us. I wanted to offer some help, but something warned me to stay away from whatever it was.

“We’ve all got demons we’re slayin’.” Morgan indicated toward where Brick was. “Some for a lifetime, others come without warning.”

“Let me know if…” Again, Mike said very little.

“Appreciate it, brother.”

“Can you hear ’em?” Brick shoved Rail out of his way as he took his seat. “Mike, you just lit a fire under the mafia’s ass. As we speak, the Capris are calling their pilots. Elio and his men are heading to the US to meet with us, and Vinni and Niccola are already on their way to Mexico.”

“How much?” Mike asked, and the table went quiet. He pulled out a thick envelope, but Trigger shook his head.

“No fuckin fee.” Trigger held up his glass and eyed the whiskey. “Castillo worked with my father. That’s payment enough.”

Eric

Thirty minutes ago

I watched from the back of the room as the vultures took turns checking out Lexi like the prize she was. A few threw slitty-eyed glances at each other to try to size up the competition. I wanted to step in and pull her away, but I knew if I did, I’d lose this deal. I had to leave it up to Chili. I needed to keep my face neutral. I could feel Castillo’s eyes on me and tried hard not to make eye contact back. Each time I did, I could see him studying me, then he’d look over at Lexi. I could feel his interest grow, and I was afraid it would feed his paranoia.

Chili stayed put on the opposite side of the room. He was doing his best to get a feel for what the other buyers were thinking and how deep their pockets might be. Though everyone knew Chili was my buyer, we kept some distance between us. I didn’t want to make the others feel like they couldn’t approach me and ask questions about the girl, and I didn’t want them to think Chili had any information they didn’t.

I’d worked hard to make a name for myself in this business, and everyone was always looking to get in good with a seller. And right now, with the reputation I had, I knew I was just as important as Castillo. Especially as they all knew I’d had the woman the past while and had spent the most time with her. A few had already approached me to ask a few questions. They wanted to understand what their potential purchase might bring them. It was another reason Castillo’s hostility was building toward me. I needed to think of something fast or I might not survive this night.

I snagged a fork from the table behind me and briskly moved into the center of the room. I tapped the side of my glass and drew their attention to me. Castillo’s face grew red, and I jumped right into it.

“Good evening, everyone.” I smiled around the room and watched Lexi slowly slide a chair between her and one of the buyers when he looked toward me. He’d been fingering her hair, and if the size of his wallet was anywhere near the size of the bulge in his pants, he planned on her for dessert. “I think it’s extremely important we acknowledge who brought us here tonight.” I spun on my heel and waved an arm toward Castillo, who immediately lit up when the attention swung toward him.

“Over the years, Blackstone has played cat and mouse on our land, coming and going as they pleased. They’ve ruined countless sales and have escaped time and again when some of you tried to capture them. But now,” I paused, “look what we have here.” I turned to Lexi with my hand out dramatically. “We’ve taken one of their own, successfully plucked her from the streets. While Blackstone crept through our very streets to take her back, they went home emptyhanded like dogs with their tails between their legs.” A few nods and laughter followed, and I gave a salesman smile as Castillo gave a bow. The room burst into applause at his accomplishment.

“She’s here tonight, and one lucky man,” I swept the room with my eyes, “will take her home because Martin Castillo did the unthinkable.” I clapped again, and they followed. I watched as he lapped up the praise and fought to roll my eyes. “So, now I give you the man of the night, as I know he’s got something special to blow your mind.” I stepped out of the spotlight and let Castillo take over.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting that.” Castillo laughed and shrugged like he was modest. “Where to begin…”

I made my way to the back of the room and tuned out his words, mostly lies about how he played a part in her capture. He did shit but sit behind a desk and make a few phone calls. The reason I’d been doing all the work in this situation was because Castillo was lazy as sin and did as little as possible before he took the glory. He might find glory in this charade, but I’d get my own reward by selling her to Chili. I’d soon be on my way up through the Cartel world as a wealthy businessman not afraid to do the work to get me there. Whatever. I brushed off my frustration. There was only one part of the night I was waiting for, and it wasn’t this.

“My, my, that was quite the show.” Grim smirked like the demon he was as he oozed in next to me. He reeked like money, weed, and power, and the fact he was here with Talya made me burn from deep inside. “How’d Castillo ever fit that ego of his through the door?”

“When you want something bad enough…” I muttered. I hoped my conversation with Grim was noted by Castillo. I wanted to give him the impression I was mingling with one of his rivals to get information.

“I was flattered to get the invitation to attend the auction. I must say I was shocked at the merchandise. A Blackstone woman. Impressive.” He spun the ice cubes around in the expensive crystal glass. “I guess he’ll enlighten us as to how it all went down this evening?” He raised one of his curved eyebrows at me, and his nearly black eyes burrowed into mine as he placed a finger to the edge of his mouth.

Grim was tattooed from the chin down. His tailored suits often reflected his theatrical mannerisms. His head was shaved on the sides, but the front was styled in a nineteen fifties type hairdo. If he was anyone else but the infamous Grim Gates, I might have considered him an asset of sorts, one to cultivate. But knowing who he was and what he did for a living, I kept my distance. He personified the dark, seedy side of Vegas. I’d known people he’d done business with who I’d never seen again.

“I bet the hotshots up north are losing their minds.” He grinned.

“That’s the hope.”

“Well,” he unlocked the screen on his phone and glanced at me, “may the best man win.” He strolled away with one hand in his pocket as he raised the phone to his ear.

Suddenly, I realized Castillo had stopped talking. I sensed a change in the atmosphere and looked toward him to see what he was up to.

“Yes, people, I have a surprise for you, a twist in the game.” Castillo’s excitement had caught the crowd as he signaled for his men to open a door, and a moment later, Rosa Coppola appeared. She pushed her walker and scowled angrily at the guests. “Everyone, meet the oldest member of the Coppola syndicate, Rosa Coppola.” Her jet-black eyes scanned the room and then latched on to Lexi. Recognition came to Lexi’s face. Wait, what? She did know her?

“Mikey?” Lexi blurted. “What the hell?” She took a step backward and bumped into Grim, who looked down at her with a dark grin. She jumped with a yelp and stepped out of his reach. “I don’t understand. What’s happening here?”

“Allow me to explain, my dear.” Castillo moved toward her, and her gaze flew around the room and landed on me for help. I just shrugged; I had no idea. “I’m sure you’re all interested in how I came to take possession of this little gem.” He patted Lexi on the back. “Well,” he paused dramatically, “let me tell you a story. Lexi here once dated Antonio, the head of the Almas Perdidas gang in the States, for those of you who may not know, and being the greedy dirt bag Antonio is, he played Mikey here,” he put extra emphasis on the Mikey as he pointed to Rosa, “at her own game.” He shook his finger at Rosa. “Rosa was a very naughty woman, and Antonio made sure she lost a very large sum of money.” Rosa glared at him.

Lexi’s face twisted as she fought to catch up.

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