She darted me yet another nasty look. "Listen to you, acting as if you care about my country. That is my father's house, Miguel. I could live in a tiny little place on the beach, able to listen to the lapping waves every night. A simple life. One with honor. My father dishonors his own people by his lavish lifestyle, greed his motivation in almost everything while others are starving."
I listened to her words and of course knew just how fortunate I was. I'd seen the level of poverty; I wasn't immune to the crumpled buildings and harsh living conditions within Cuba. I had to respect her animosity for affluence based on terrorizing others.
As I pulled into the parking space, she remained seated, an unwilling partner. I eased on onto the concrete, motioning for Cordero before walking around to the passenger side.
He stood several feet away, forever scanning the area, determined never to get himself in my bad graces again. He'd seen episodes of my wrath, anger that often I couldn't control.
After opening the door, I held out my hand, trying to curtail the impatience that was already on the horizon. She finally grasped my fingers, her eyes opening wide from the electric connection. Seeing the fact that she was forced to hobble sent another wave of anger into my mind. One day, Castillo and I would meet again and on that day, I would kill him.
"Have one of the men pick up Valencia's cello at the hotel and bring it here." There was no way she could have heard my order. Perhaps I was a horrible man forcing her to show her level of obedience before providing her with her most prized possession, but at this point, my decision was necessary.
"Not a problem, boss. Enrique will follow you up. I'll make the arrangements then walk the perimeter." Cordero gave her a respectful nod.
"Perfect. Also make the necessary arrangements for a meeting tomorrow morning at ten. You know the location. We need to find out who our mole is." I was itching to squash the idiot who'd dared to cross me. There was way that Kostya had acted alone. I'd been impetuous and careless in allowing too many details out in the open.
All my effort to effect changes within the family organization had been thwarted. Perhaps my father's old ways were best.
Brutal and unforgiving.
"You got it, boss. Do you need anything else tonight?" He eyed Valencia as she walked closer, swaggering in the same rebellious manner.
I turned my gaze in her direction. "Yes, contact Sylvie. She's going to babysit Valencia tomorrow while I'm at the meeting." I gave him a certain look, communication without words. He knew exactly what I was getting at.
"Babysit? Are you kidding me?" she snarked.
"It's obvious that I can't leave you alone. You need clothes and Sylvie can protect you as well as keep you in line." I could see amusement on Cordero's face. I'd never used Sylvie in any different manner other than a trained soldier. I knew the woman would be pissed at her command, but I had few choices. I also knew that when it came to extracting information, Sylvie would be able to do so much better than I or any of my soldiers could. At this point, I wasn't going to be caught in the dark again.
Not ever.
Valencia hissed several words in Spanish, the various names I was called amusing.
"I'll call her right now," Cordero said as he pulled out his phone.
I kept a firm grip on her hand as I walked toward the bank of elevators, my hunger increasing with every passing moment.
She refused to even look at me on the ride, huddling against the steel wall, her mouth twisted. Enrique studied the two of us, his curiosity growing. My soldiers hadn't seen me with anyone but an occasional date for a major event requiring my attendance, little more than eye candy for gawkers. This was very much out of character for me, a break in everything I held in the highest regard.
Marriage.
Family.
Loyalty. I simply wasn't suited for at least two of them, my sisters having taken the genes from my beautiful mother. Perhaps I knew what my wife would have to endure, the kind of danger my children would face every moment of their lives. I refused to do that to anyone else.
Although my father wanted to continue our lineage, my son the only leader in later years that would be acceptable.
I honestly hated the old world ways.
Enrique followed us down the hall, remaining in the background as I unlocked the door. I had no idea what she'd think of my recent purchase, although she was accustomed to plush surroundings. I flipped on several lights, the expensive LED lighting system highlighting various art pieces and sculptures and illuminating the leather sofas and chairs.
Only the finest would do.
Valencia seemed to be holding her breath as she walked in slowly, moving to the middle of the main room. I dropped the keys on the vestibule table, exhausted from the long and arduous day. She seemed frozen for a few seconds, finally walking toward the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, shaking her head and once again muttering in Spanish.
"Cerdo opulento."
Opulent pig. I resisted laughing.
"Is it all right if I go outside?" she asked in an unexpected tone. Docile. Not what I would have expected.
"Remove your shoes."
She narrowed her eyes, fuming.
"I said. Remove your shoes. The last thing I want is for you to stumble when you're out on the balcony."
While her features softened, she took a minute before struggling to remove her heels, tossing them in a purposeful manner. "Now. May I. Please. Go. Outside?"
The woman had no idea how much I wanted to ravage her body.
"Absolutely. The rules are simple. You will stay in my home unless you're with me or I instruct one of my soldiers to take you to a known destination. You have free reign of both floors, but I assure you that my communication system will be kept off limits. You will not be allowed to contact your father or the girlfriend you have living only a few miles from here."
She flipped around to face me, the defiant look returning. "You are able to fuck up everything by just talking. I simply wanted permission to go outside."
While her words were vile, I certainly understood her sentiment. "I'm not an easy man, Valencia, but I'll try and be as lenient as possible."
She snorted. "While I'm a prisoner. Goody for you." She moved toward the door, throwing it open and walking outside.