"Absolutely." I fisted my hand, my thoughts drifting to what would need to be done. There was no choice. "She is a weakness, although she is much more like her father's prisoner than anything else."
"The way of certain Latin men," Lorenzo offered.
"Not my way." I snapped my head in his direction, waiting until he held up his hands, taking a decided step backwards. "However, she now belongs to me."
"I can help make it easy for you, my friend. My source was... invaluable given his life was at stake. Valencia Rivera is in the country. She will be performing a concert with the Miami Symphony Orchestra tomorrow night. She will also attend a fashion show in Miami in two days." Aleksei leaned over the table. "Two chances to extract your prize."
"With her father?" I asked, almost putting the plan into motion in my thoughts. A concert. My cock ached once again just thinking about her long fingers and luscious lips. For a few seconds, I allowed myself to imagine thrusting my cock deep inside her wet pussy.
"That wasn't determined. That would be a brazen gesture on his part." Aleksei was quite amused at the prospect.
"Santiago Rivera is a pompous asshole who believes there is no way that he or his... good fortune can be shaken." I was seething more than I should.
"True enough," Aleksei chortled.
"However, he is a smart man," Michael added. "He could be using the invitation for his daughter to perform as a ruse for handling other business."
His words sounded plausible. "Yes."
"I will hunt down this Kostya and in turn, you will find out exactly how far reaching Santiago's connections have gone. He will not move into my territory."
While I knew that the Russian wasn't threatening me, we all had the potential at losing respect as well a portion of our businesses. That wasn't going to happen. Hearing she was going to be in Miami gave me several ideas, some darker than others.
"A man like Santiago Rivera I can handle. He will meet his maker if necessary." My words were succinct. I wanted nothing more than to crush the man as well as his empire. Now I would have the opportunity. The pompous asshole would pay for his sins.
As well as his lies.
With flesh and blood.
"I believe we all agree," Dominick stated, the other men nodding.
I lifted the glass as a toast, but all I could think about was tasting Valencia once again.
This time, there was no question and there would be no hesitation.
She would belong to me. I had a third row seat on the night of the concert, still in the shadows while able to watch Valencia perform. She was dressed in a beautiful long black dress, the lights shimmering over her raven-colored hair. Everyone in the audience was mesmerized by her musical skills and no doubt as well by her incredible beauty.
I'd never sat through a single musical event, unable to process the time needed. Business was always on my mind. Tonight, everything was different, an allowance to move into another world altogether. The quiet reverence as her fingers moved nimbly, the passion she exuded shining in every note she played was simply remarkable.
I wanted nothing more than to take her on this night, capturing both her innocence and resolve, making her mine. That would need to wait. I'd noticed her father in the audience, surrounded by at least four of his soldiers. Whether or not she believed that he had pride didn't matter.
His smile said it all.
She was very precious to him, although others might see his adoration as a weakness.
I was an impatient man, refusing to take the backseat for anything I'd ever desired.
However, I would bide my time, allowing her to revel in her success and achievement.
As the concerto drew to a close, her last notes even more haunting than I'd heard in Cuba, the audience went wild. The standing ovation was well deserved.
I took a deep breath as I stood, clapping in earnest as the entire symphony took a bow. As she stood, staring out at the crowd, I could tell she was overwhelmed. A babe in the woods.
A fawn with far too many around eager to hunt her as prey.
Including myself.
I would be stern with her, even harsh as necessary, but I would also allow her to see the joys of another passion, one she craved immensely.
The audience was still cheering as I walked out of the concert hall, adjusting my cuffs and taking a deep breath.
She would be mine tomorrow.
My possession.
My prize.
Mine.
And there was nothing anyone could do to stop me.
* * *
The fashion event was black tie and by invitation only, the price per ticket ten thousand dollars with all proceeds going to a local charity. The location was pristine, Briza on the Bay, one of the poshest social and corporate venues, the views of the Atlantic extraordinary. The fashion show itself was considered the hottest event of the year, food and beverage catering to the rich and famous.
A perfect setting for someone of Valencia's caliber, although I was surprised that Santiago would take such a significant risk allowing her to attend. Either he believed he was secure in his position hiding behind the scenes or he simply didn't give a shit.