Chapter 148 The Warning Shot

Chapter 148 The Warning Shot
I followed Carlos down the narrow stairway with Alexander close behind me. The underground basement of Vanguard Kingdom was clearly their most guarded secret, and Carlos allowing me to see it was both a show of respect and trust. Bringing my own people down here would have been pushing it too far, so I'd left Isabella and the others upstairs.

"Ms. North, please feel free to look around," Carlos said, standing back with his hands clasped in front of him.

I took my time circling the vast underground space, examining the weaponry that filled the room from wall to wall. Racks of automatic rifles lined one side, handguns and ammunition another. Military-grade gear was organized meticulously in glass cases.

"Do you only deal in weapons?" I asked casually, running my finger along the barrel of a sleek sniper rifle.

"Yes. Almost all military-grade weapons in Mexico pass through my hands," Carlos replied with unmistakable pride. "We operate with clear boundaries here. On the surface, people do whatever business they want. But underground, the lines are distinct. Those of us in weapons don't touch drugs or human trafficking. Those operations don't step into our territory."

"So you're the biggest underground arms dealer in the region?" I walked back toward the entrance, my tone softening as I studied his face.

"Yes." Carlos nodded confidently. "I especially hope to establish a long-term partnership with the Phoenix family."

I noticed how he kept his posture slightly lower than mine, his eyes respectful. Smart man.

"I have one condition," I said, my expression turning serious.

"Name it." Carlos matched my gravity.

"Whatever underground business you do, it cannot involve the United States. No deals with Americans on American soil." I maintained eye contact as I spoke. "What you do in other countries isn't my concern."

Carlos looked genuinely surprised, eyebrows rising slightly. "That's it?"

"That's it. We all operate in shadows, but everyone needs principles to live by," I said with a slight nod.

"You have my word, Ms. North. The United States has never been and will never be within my operational scope," Carlos assured me. "As you well know, illegal weapons trafficking in America carries extreme risk. The penalties are severe, and enforcement is vigilant. I've never considered it worth the danger."

"Since you can commit to this, Phoenix will offer you preferential treatment. All transactions through your account will receive a thirty percent reduction in processing fees." I watched his eyes widen. "You've made a promise, so I'll show good faith as well."

Carlos couldn't hide his excitement. Phoenix's transaction platform was the gold standard for security in underground dealings, but our fees reflected that quality. A thirty percent reduction would save him millions annually—far more than he'd make risking business in the U.S.

"Your generosity is unexpected and deeply appreciated," he said, bowing slightly.

We headed back upstairs, but just as we reached the main hall, several armed men rushed in, approaching Carlos with urgent expressions.

"What's happening?" Carlos and his lieutenants immediately tensed.

"Don, Alberto's watching the building from outside with his men," one reported breathlessly.

"Alberto?" One of Carlos's higher-ups looked shocked. "A drug dealer dares to stake out our headquarters?"

"Don, I'll take some men and—"

"Wait," I interrupted. "I'll go out myself. I want to ask why he's been following me."

I started toward the door.

"Ms. North!" Carlos stepped in front of me. "Whether at the hotel or here, this is my territory. His presence is a direct challenge to Vanguard Kingdom. I'll send my men to handle this. You can wait for the results."

With a casual gesture, Carlos dispatched several men who rushed outside.

"You have no prior conflict with Alberto, no connection at all. Why would he be watching you?" Carlos looked genuinely puzzled. "From what I know, he's not one to show his face in public—he's paranoid about assassination. Him personally staking out a location is unheard of."

"I'm equally confused. A cartel leader personally surveilling me—what could be the reason?" I frowned.

"May I offer a thought?" One of Carlos's men stepped forward.

"Ms. North, this is my deputy, Juan," Carlos introduced him.

I nodded for him to continue.

"Alberto has one fatal weakness—he likes women. Beautiful women," Juan explained. "Ms. North's appearance would be... quite captivating to someone like him."

"Alberto's womanizing is infamous in our circles," Carlos confirmed with a nod.

I stared at them both, trying to process this. "Let me get this straight. A cartel leader personally conducts surveillance... because he's horny? I assumed he wanted to rob me or kill me. But his goal is... me?"

Carlos and Juan both nodded solemnly, and I felt a wave of disgust wash over me. What the actual fuck?

About fifteen minutes later, Carlos's men returned, forcing several kneeling captives into the hall with guns pressed to their temples.

"Alberto, got tired of your own shithole?" Carlos smiled coldly at the man kneeling in the center. The temperature in the room seemed to drop as his entire demeanor transformed from the respectful host I'd seen to something much darker.

I hardened my expression as well, fixing Alberto with a razor-sharp stare. He said nothing, his eyes locked on me.

"Bang!" Without hesitation, I raised my gun and shot him in the leg.

"AAAGH!" Alberto screamed, his face contorting in pain.

I crouched down, lifting his chin with the barrel of my gun. "Listen carefully. If you're tracking me, you know exactly who I am and what I do." I smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "In Italy, where killing is as casual as blinking, I walk untouchable. Do you think I'd hesitate to kill you here?"

Alberto swallowed hard but managed to snarl, "I'm not some nobody in Mexico!"

He was betting Carlos wouldn't allow random executions on his property, even for me. A bad calculation.

"Then I'll make sure even nobodies in Mexico pity you," I said coldly, firing another shot.

Alberto froze for a moment, hearing the gunshot but feeling no immediate pain. Seconds later, agony exploded between his legs. His scream was primal as he realized what I'd done—I'd shot him exactly where it would ensure he'd never enjoy women again.