Page 66 of Embedded
“I understand.” He swallowed hard.
“I hope you do, Armondo, I hope you do. Because if you want to live to be a part of this, you will not question me again.” I slit my eyes in a warning.
“No, boss.”
“Good,” I snapped. “Now, go! Get the woman to the farm.”
“Yes, boss. Right away.” He turned to leave.
Then an engine roared, and its tires squealed. I jumped toward the window. “Shit! She’s already here.” I rubbed a hand over my face; it was just like her to trick me. “It’s too late to go now. Keep Nicole upstairs and don’t say anything to alert her something is happening. Just keep her quiet! At the first opportunity, take her out the back way.”
He nodded and raced out.
“Archie!” I yelled. “Bring Mama to the study, straight through, no stops.”
“Understood.”
Christ, she was maddening. When did she get back? I thought she was away for the next few months, at least. She was such a control freak. I grabbed my cane and headed toward the study. God forbid I’d keep her waiting.
Mama stood looking out the window with her arms crossed. Her fucking pet, Rio, stood watching. I hated him and refused to glance his way. I knew she could see my reflection in the glass.
“You were always my favorite son.” She kept her back to me. “I could see great things in you, even as a child. Your father favored your brother, and look where that got him. I never let him live that down.” Her arms fell to her sides as she turned to look at me.
Oh, shit, she had that look—cold and disconnected.
“You know I don’t like to look the fool, Bruno.”
“I know, Mama.” Where is this going?
She clucked her tongue and moved to the bar to make herself a drink. “I gave you a direct order, and you disobeyed me.” Clinking ice filled the dead silence as my stomach sank. She knew I had Nicole.
“Mama, let me?—”
“You told me you wouldn’t make a move until I said so.” That made the words I was about to say dissolve from my tongue as I fought to keep up. “This is your mess.” Her voice was acid as she put her hands on the back of a chair. “You’re going to have to do damage control and rope your people back in line!” she screamed, and it made my whirling head instantly ache.
“Mama, please,” I raised a hand in total confusion, “I’m not following you at all.”
She slammed her glass down, and it broke, sending liquid everywhere. “How could you be so stu—” Her eyes suddenly widened, and the mood in the room shifted as she went still.
“What?”
“Shut up!” she snapped then plucked a little black square from my pen holder. Her murderous gaze traveled to mine as we both realized what it was. A bug.
What the hell? How? Who was I going to have soak in gasoline and set on fire?
Mama used her broken glass to smash the device into the top of my desk. Rio looked smug as he reached to flip on my office scrambler. It only had a short range, but it would have to suffice. I needed the place swept, and fast.
Mama crossed the room, and before I was ready, she slapped me hard across the face. “You have disappointed me twice today. Do I need to stay home and take care of this side of the business?”
I licked around my mouth and tasted blood as I fought to control my temper. She was dangerously close to me pushing me to remind her who was younger and stronger.
“No, Mama, I have things covered.”
Her laugh made my fists clench. “Do you?”
“Yes.”
“You better think hard about who is in this house, who you can trust, and what you can see on your cameras.” She ordered. “Come, Rio.” He shot me a look as he trailed Mama out of the room. I’d like to crush his face.
