Asylum

Chapter 41: Brave or Stupid

I brought out the tray of lemon waters and began placing them around the table, still pretending I couldn't understand a word of the discussion. The men all ignored me, intent as they were on this moment, except for Alejandro, who lazily reached out to stroke my bare leg as I put down his third glass of Casa Dragones.

"I don't just want to go legit; I will," Ángel insisted. "La Familia will, the entire organization. I will not abandon a single one of the hundreds of people who work for us who wants to join us in legal commerce. A small division of the organization, operating as a shell company, is already quietly buying up boutique liquor stores, exclusive cigar and vape shops, legal marijuana dispensaries, even a few spas. The public face of the company will be one of high-end, luxury indulgences, and we will expand outward and downward with targeted branding from there. We employ lobbyists pushing for continued legalization, and interests in other countries that will allow us to import products that aren't currently allowed or popular here, but which I am certain soon will be both.

"When my father passes, we will begin the transition in earnest. As I said, I will not abandon anyone in our organization, but we will begin porting over employees who are interested in working for the new concern as positions open up and drugs are legalized and popularized. We will not replace these employees in the illegal drug trade, but will gradually reduce the quantity of product we're moving to match our manpower. When we have transitioned everyone who wants to leave the life ... we're out. Those who refuse to give it up can work for someone else or fight over the scraps."

Silence, or what passed for silence in Asylum, followed Ángel's pronouncement. Alejandro knocked back his latest shot and put the glass back on the table with an audible thunk. I began pouring a fourth, and the entire room waited for Ivan's reaction.

"I see," he murmured finally. He reached for his glass and brought it back with him as he once again reclined on the overstuffed upholstery. He swirled the potent liquor a few times and inhaled appreciatively before stretching his arms out again along the back of the built-in sofa. The move was somehow both suave and menacing, like the lazy stretch of a panther that is deciding whether to pounce. "So this meeting is just a ... heads-up," he concluded.

Tomás took an uncomfortable sip of tequila, and I brought out Alejandro's new drink, collecting his empty glass and giving him a wide berth as he leaned over the arm of his chair to grin up at me and waggle his fingers invitingly. The tiniest flicker around Ivan's eyes told me that he'd noticed.

"We hold Esteban Santiago in the very highest regard," Ángel assured him. No mention of Emilio, I noted. "Our families have been cooperative, respectful business partners for decades, and when I say we will abandon no one, I am including the cartel."

"You think Señor Santiago is going to want to get into the CBD massage oil and magic mint tea business?" A corner of Ivan's sensual mouth quirked in amusement, and Alejandro almost choked on his tequila, but recovered quickly and finished the rest of the drink. "I can certainly present him with that proposal, but I think I can guess what his response will be."

Ángel smiled and inclined his head briefly. "I think I can guess, too, so no – I do not expect him to jump on this opportunity, though of course we would be honored to partner with the cartel if it turns out you and I are wrong in our speculation about his interest." I doubted Ángel would welcome the cartel's involvement in his new venture in any capacity, but he was too smart to say so. "No, I meant, rather, that we are offering to aid in the transition by introducing new potential distributors to you for vetting and possible approval, then passing along to the people of your choice our knowledge and expertise and connections – both on the street and within local law enforcement – to smooth the transfer of business to the new regime. I believe this will coincide with your own expansion plans nicely."