Page 46 of Cartel King

“Yeah, that’s him. He’s not at all suspicious-looking, is he?” My driver grins.

Anywhere else the man we’re watching would stand out, but he doesn’t look any different from the strung-out addicts around here. The guy is twitchy as fuck, but it’s from fear, not from the street drugs Ignacio’s family provides most of the city. We watch as the messenger bumps into a man, and it almost appears natural when they make the handoff.

I know what I’m looking for, but most people wouldn’t since they’re carrying identical bags. I made sure the one my guy passes to Ignacio’s errand boy has everything we need. When my guy returns to the car, I check the bag. I thumb through all the money. No dye packs. I pull out a loop and check. It’s all unmarked, and none is counterfeit. It’s all there.

We follow the messenger at a safe distance. He never looks back to see if anyone’s following him. When he gets to the outskirts of the shantytown, he finally looks around and bolts. The moment I’m certain he’s far enough away from anyone’s home, I reach into my pocket and press the little clicker.

A miniature Fourth of July show goes off right before us. The guy never checked the bag to see what he got in return. That’s on him, and it’s on Ignacio if he thought this guy would live to tell the tale about this deal. This is a little reminder in case Ignacio thinks to pull this shit again. I giveth, and I taketh away.

We head back to the hotel until it’s dark. Now’s the most dangerous part of this mission. It’s when I work with only one guard. Tonight, he’s my scout and will help me locate my targets. Once they’re locked on tomorrow, there’s nothing he can do except get the fuck out before anybody guesses he’s connected to the shitstorm that’ll blow through.

I’m in all black with a ball cap that allows me to tuck my dark hair underneath along with a bulky coat. I can pass for a man. I’m a little on the short side, but not unreasonably.

I know my partner’s moving parallel to me across the street. We don’t acknowledge each other as we wind through a nicer part of Rio. I have a gym bag with me that nobody would guess weighs a fucking ton. I have it pinched close to my side with my other hand in my pocket. My fingers wrap around the butt of my pistol. My head isn’t on a swivel because that would only gain attention I don’t need. However, my gaze sweeps the area, looking for anybody who not only appears out of place, but anyone who appears to fit a little too well. This is a more touristy part of the city, not one locals prefer to frequent.

It takes an hour before I spot what I’m looking for. A peek at my guard confirms it when our gazes meet. I ease around the side of the building, ensuring I remain in the shadows. I watch my guy who’s still across the street inch closer to the five men who’re meeting at a table on a restaurant’s outside patio. One of them is definitely Benicio.

That’s pretty fucking ballsy since it makes all of them easy targets. Tonight’s about gathering information and making sure I know who my targets are. If the opportunity strikes, I’ll take it, but I need to follow the plan I created. Impetuousness rarely pays off when you commit a capital crime, then need to disappear.

I watch the men for thirty minutes before they all rise. There’s one who stands in the shadows. His build is familiar. It reminds me of Enrique. I inch closer, maintaining my cover. I can’t see the man’s face, so I can’t be sure.

Is Rio where Enrique went? Are we both here at the same time? I know in my bones I’d recognize Enrique from anyone else. The man may remind me of him, but he’s not Enrique. I’ll send Andrés a text that hopefully he’ll pass along to Luis who’ll pass it to his brother. Or maybe Andrés can share the message directly with him.

The meeting breaks up, and the men go in separate directions, none coming toward me. My escort and I slip back to the hotel.

“All you have to do is head out on the tarmac and keep your back to the windows. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. Nobody can see your face. They need to believe you’re me.”

“And if I do this for you, you’ll pay me?”

“Yes.”

I have on a sun hat with a huge brim, Audrey Hepburn sunglasses that cover half my face along with a nondescript gray sundress and black ballet flats. I look wealthy enough to fly in a private jet. This woman works at the airport. It’s a lucky coincidence we’re the same height and build. I hand her a dress to change into in the bathroom.

“I’ll hold on to your uniform, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“All right. And where do I meet you after this?”

“Come back to this bathroom, and I’ll be sure you get your clothes back, and the money I promised you.”

“All right.”

She’s reasonably skeptical about my request. Once she’s dressed, she leaves the restroom, and I’m close on her heels. We go in opposite directions until I double back and change into her uniform. I fold my dress and stick it under my shirt and down my pants. I slip through the security doors I need her badge to open. I’m certain there’s someone waiting for me when I’m supposed to get on the Vizzinis’ jet.

I creep out of the building and tuck myself away in the spot I already selected this morning. I grab my binoculars from the gear bag I hid and scout the area. It takes me a few sweeps before I see what I’m looking for.

Discreet but not invisible. It only takes me a handful of seconds to assemble my rifle. I roll onto my belly and set it up on the tripod. I set my scope on the man who’s got a gun pointing at the woman. I watch him home in on her as she heads toward the private plane I should be boarding.

Everything around me dulls except for what’s through my rifle scope that sharpens like a blade. Everything’s crisp. I adjust my position until I’m comfortable. Then I wait.

Come on, fucknut, get this over with.

The longer we’re both out here, the greater the chance someone will discover either of us. Ignacio’s mercenary is well hidden, but not as well as me. I recognize the guy. He’s got a solid reputation and isn’t cheap.

I suppose it should flatter me Ignacio chose him for the job, clearly expecting me to be a hard target to pin down. The assassin lifts his rifle and wraps his finger around the trigger. The moment that finger moves even a fraction, I pull my trigger.

Blood explodes from his head, twisting his body toward me with the force. It opens his chest as a perfect target. I put two through his heart just to be on the safe side. If the bullet to his brain didn’t kill him, then the two through his heart did. I’m on my feet, disassembling the rifle as people scream.

The assassin’s bullet hit the decoy woman, but I timed it, so my shot knocked him off balance. The bullet only winged her. I couldn’t guarantee such good luck, but I took my chances, and it paid off. People run to her as I slip back into the building. I duck into the restroom where I met the woman earlier. I change back into my clothes and fold up hers. When I leave, I nod to a woman across from me.

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