Page 2 of Hostile Rival
And that alone makes Buffalo a threat to my family, and mostly our eldest brother Tomás.
We still haven’t figured out if Blanco officially orchestrated our father’s murder. The tyrant, Elias Souza, Papá, was gunned down in Bogotá months ago. With Tomás and Carina’s wedding coming up, it's important that our enemies are too afraid to make a move. We have to stay one step ahead.
Blanco had denied any involvement and told Giovanni to look closer to home. Of course, he’d try to mess with our heads. He knew Papá had morphed into a paranoid psychopath having achieved ultimate power and wealth, and there’s every chance his sons would follow in his footsteps.
It means sticking to Buffalo over the next few weeks is my top priority. My main assignment.
Who knows, the fucker could plan an uprising and turn The Covenant against the Souzas. Anything is possible in this game.
“Buffalo is the soldier I know the least about.” Giovanni explains. “Sleep with one eye open.”
“I’ll lock the door,” I mutter under my breath.
“That won’t help. The two of you are sharing a room.” He throws something soft and wooly at me. “This is yours.”
Catching it, I study the black balaclava and take in the red outline of a spooky-looking bird stitched onto the fabric where my mouth would be.
“A fucking bird?” I roll my eyes. “Is this a joke, Gio? Why the fuck did you pick a bird as my pseudonym?”
“It’s not just a bird, Mat. Your code name is Crow. They’re highly intelligent, representing death and danger. Never forget who you are and the power our family has—and how that makes you a target, even in your bed at night.” He slaps my shoulder. “This evening, I’m going dark. I won’t be around for a few weeks,but will keep in touch through the satellite phone I gave you earlier. In the meantime, while I’m gone…”
“While you’re boning Indy?” I raise my brows, knowing he’s taking a trip with his new wife. The two of them are heading off on their honeymoon to an undisclosed location.
Giovanni shakes his head, ignoring me, and grunts. “While I’m gone, keep a low profile and stay out of trouble.”
I laugh at that. “What trouble could I possibly get into?”
My brother knows me well enough to appreciate how his twin, André, had taught me all there is to know about sex, drugs, and calculated risks. All of which could have gotten me into a lot of trouble over the years had I not been––me.
Giovanni, on the other hand, he’d taught me patience and how to hit a target dead center.
“You know what I mean, Mat.” Giovanni stops walking. “Keep your dick in your pants and stay off the coke. No distractions. Don’t deviate from the instructions you’re given and report any unusual activity immediately.” He turns away and glances over his shoulder at me. “The door is handprint activated and your suite is straight through the entrance hall, third door on the left. Probably best you’re not escorted into the villa by––”
“My big brother?” I interrupt, smirking.
“No,cabron.” He runs a hand through his dark hair. “By Dragon, your fucking commander.”
I flip up my middle finger, so the skull ring André had given me a while back greets him, then dish out my biggest grin. Somehow, I’d make this fucker proud of me or die trying.
“Tell Indy I said hi.” I wink, knowing she fancied me a long time ago.
He grimaces, pissed that his wife used to get all hot and flustered over me, but not even the pretty young thing he married sets my veins on fire.
However, the power I had in Blackwater when I let loose with a machine gun to slaughter the enemy––that was a rush, pure bloodlust. It’s why I'm trading thousand-dollar, tailored suits for low key combat gear. I need something more.
“Remember.” He warns. “Buffalo is Blanco’s top-ranking soldier. And that means anything you say will be reported back to him. Keep our family business to yourself. You serve The Covenant, Mat, but the blood running through your veins takes priority over everything.”
“Enjoy your time off.” I call, strolling towards the ivory arches at the front of the villa, passing tall palms and a monstrous cactus.
When Giovanni doesn't reply, I angle around to catch his eye. But he’s already gone, vanished. Typical sneaky fucker. After all, that’s his specialty.
Reaching the open porch, I press my palm against the wall mounted screen and wait for the door to unlock. In a matter of seconds, I’m inside, thankful for a coastal breeze moving through the bright white hallway from an open window. There’s no sign of life indoors, not even when I shout hello.
Stalking across traditional blue and white Sicilian floor tiles, I look around, sticking my head into the main sitting area with its large sectional couch, pale walls and sea views. No one is home, so I head straight for my suite in need of a shower.
Taking the third door as instructed, I find two neatly made single beds at opposite sides of the room, a television stuck to a bone-white wall, and patio doors leading to a terrace decorated with potted plants.
The accommodation isn’t exactly basic, but it's certainly not the higher end of luxury I’m used to either. Nevertheless, bunking with a stranger is a small sacrifice for not having to waste my life away as a lawyer.
