Sold To The Boss: A Narcos Romance

Chapter 1

Isabella is for sale. And the recently crowned king of the Mexican Cartel is the highest bidder.

Rafael was born into the Cartel. It's the only life he's ever known. After his father's death, Rafael asserts the throne. But he is not his father. And his throne feels more like a prison than a privilege.

Isabella never imagined she'd get kidnapped while visiting her aunt in Mexico. When she gets purchased by a ruthless bidder, her only shot at freedom is to make a deal with the devil himself.

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His stomach was roiling but his face remained stoic, a slight smirk to give the appearance that he was excited for this night. The reality couldn't be further from the truth. The thought of going to watch women be auctioned off for sex slavery in the same way his mother had been sold to his father made him want to kill every man in the room. Slowly. But he couldn't do that, at least not yet. He had to play their game in order to get out. For good.

"Rafael, lovely to see you this evening," the host gestured toward a plush red leather booth with a reserved placard on the table. Rafael felt the reassuring pressure of his pistol tucked inside the waistband of his fitted black slacks and the even more tempting cool metal of his favorite knife blade against his calf. His hands itched to drag it across the host's insolent throat.

There were several circular elevated stages, normally occupied by strippers and dancers. But tonight, El Barrio Gentleman's Club was closed to the public and open only to a very select VIP list. The who's who of illegal business. The tycoons of vice. And among those, Rafael was their newest king.

"Señor Vargas, my deepest condolences to you and your family. Your father was a great man." Rafael clenched his fists beneath the table thinking to himself that his father was the furthest thing from a great man.

"Thank you."

"He was one of our most loyal customers. His privileges will of course be passed on to you." Rafael nodded once, wanting no part in whatever said privileges were.

"Is there anything in particular you are looking for this evening, Señor?"

Rafael swirled his amber drink, taking a long sip before responding. He knew what he was looking for but it wasn't something that could easily be described. It wasn't a type for him. These women weren't sex objects to him. He was looking for a partner. An accomplice to his plan. And he'd know that he found what he needed when he saw it.

"I'll know it when I see it."

"Understood, Señor Vargas. A man who knows what he wants."

"Something like that." Rafael downed the rest of his drink and raised the empty glass at the host. Just because he wasn't his father didn't mean he was above using his power to be an asshole, especially to this disgusting organizer of sex slavery. Rafael made a mental note to give this host his proper due at the right time. But the right time wasn't now. Far from it.

Rafael's number two slid into the booth next to him, shrugging off his leather jacket. Martín had been around since the early days of his father's rise to power, but he had always shown an extra level of loyalty toward Rafael. In a world where you could trust no one, sometimes not even yourself, Martín was the closest thing that Rafael had to a true friend.

"Jefe, we have an issue. Shipment delay. Third one this week."

Fuck. Rafael gritted his teeth. The last thing he needed right now were problems with the business. Everyone was looking for him to fail; for opportunities to exploit his weaknesses. Every transition of power was an opportunity for overthrow and that was not how Rafael planned to leave this world. He was leaving for sure, but on his own terms and not with his tail between his legs. He wouldn't live his life being hunted down like a dog.

"In Miami or San Diego?"

"Miami." Rafael nodded, not needing any further details. Clearly this was a power play by the Lotega family who had always felt handicapped and underpaid during the reign of Rafael's father. This was their opportunity to renegotiate terms and they weren't planning on doing it around a conference table.

"Arrange for a visit. At the safe house. If they want to talk, it needs to be face to face. Not in this cowardly way of avoiding agreements and stalling our shipments. I won't have it."

"Good idea, Jefe. I'll make some calls." Martín slid out of the booth, his phone in hand. The lights in the club started to dim and the host returned with a fresh amber drink.

"They will be out shortly, Rafael, enjoy." The host scuttled away quickly and Rafael took another deep pull from the glass. The burn of the liquid felt good as it slid down his throat.

** Chapter edits! New story my friends!!! Love, Skara **