Page 56 of Death

“Is this about the pussy?” Campos asks. “Everyone sells pussy.”

“Not everyone.” I spread the cards as Pedro shoves Braga closer to me. “Choose one.”

Braga gives me a confused look but pulls a card out of the middle. A frown forms on his forehead. “The Chariot?”

A grin spreads over my face. “One of my favorites.” I make a scene of bowing and gesturing at the door. “Your chariot awaits. Enjoy the ride.”

Pedro shoves Braga toward three of my men, and they drag him out of the warehouse to tie him to the back of an SUV. They’ll drag his body until he’s dead.

Just like the cartel did with my mother.

My grin turns into a deadly sneer as I look at Campos. “Your turn. Choose your fate.”

“I can pay you,” he tries to bargain.

The revving of an engine sounds up, and then Braga’s terrified screams follow as he’s dragged away from the warehouse.

Campos is sweating so severely the drops are running down his face. “I can pay you millions.”

I give him a surprised look. “How much are we talking? What is your life worth?”

“Five million.”

I start to shake my head, and he quickly shouts, “Ten.”

Every time I shake my head, he doubles the amount until I say, “I’m getting bored.”

“Fifty-six million! I can give it to you in Bitcoin. Untraceable.”

Smiling wide, I say, “I like the sound of that.” I glance around the warehouse at my men. “Do any of you have a laptop?” They start to shake their heads, and I look at Campos. “Such a shame. Pick a card.”

“No! I can give you the money.”

My expression turns grim. “If you don’t pick, I will.”

Shaking like a leaf, he finally pulls a card out of the pack and slowly looks at it.

“And?” I ask.

“The Magician.”

“Oooh. The fun is just starting.” I glance at Pedro, who quickly jogs out to get the three boxes.

“W-what does the card mean?” Campos asks.

“You get to choose again.”

Relief washes over his face, and bending over, he places his hands on his thighs and breathes hard.

“There are three boxes. One has a gun, which means I’ll shoot you in the head. The second has a card saying you get to walk free, and the third has gasoline and a lighter.” When the horror returns to his face, I chuckle. “Cheer up. You still have a chance to walk free, then you and your cousin can bond some more over surviving fate.”

Pedro comes back with the boxes and sets them down on the floor in front of me.

“Do you feel lucky?” I ask Campos.

He just stares at the black boxes with gold edging.

I wave a hand over them and order, “Pick up the box of your choice.”

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