The Taste Of Revenge (War of Sins Book 1)

Rafaelo

'You still think this is a good idea?' Carlos asks as he paces around the room, checking for hidden cameras and mics.

We spent the entire afternoon in negotiations with Cisco, talking about strategies and what our goals are in the long term.

The interesting thing about DeVille is that he already knew I was going to reach out, just like he already knew he was going to accept my offer to join forces.

For once, I have to wonder what Cisco's goal is, too. There is certainly more to him than meets the eye, and he'd been entirely too ready to agree to all of my terms.

Of course, what I'm offering is invaluable, and he knows it. Still, I'm not going to trust him just yet—if ever.

In a sign of good faith, he invited us to stay in his home, where I would be protected from any direct attempts on my life—at least until word gets around the city that I am under DeVille protection.

Carlos, however, ever the skeptic, refused the offer to stay here in favor for an old, dilapidated warehouse in Brooklyn, where Anita, Panchito and Thomas had already relocated.

'It's the only viable idea. You know too well that we can't do anything on our own. We're outcasts,' I sigh, unbuttoning my shirt. 'We need someone's backing to move around the city and actually have a chance against Michele and Ortega.'

'I don't trust him.' Carlos says quietly.

'I don't trust him either. But if staying here will strengthen our partnership, then I'll do it. There's no way he's going to try something in the house where he lives with his wife and family.'

'I still don't trust him,' he mutters. 'What you're offering him might be appealing, but he also knows he's the only one who can help.'

That he does. He asked me why I hadn't gone to any of the other families for help, bringing up my former engagement to Sisi as a reason to seek out Lastra.

The reason, however, is very simple.

Lastra doesn't have a stake in this. No one besides DeVille has a stake in this. And to get to Michele, I need someone equally as invested as me—which makes Cisco the only logical option.

'Then we'll have to make it so that I'm the only one who can help him too,' I add thoughtfully.

Carlos grunts, but he doesn't seem convinced. Because of his own past, he's always suspicious of everyone's motives.

'I'll deal with DeVille,' I continue, settling on the bed while Carlos takes out his kit. 'You and the guys look into Ortega. As soon as either of us has something, we'll regroup and plan our next steps.'

'Cisco was right in one respect. You've grown, Raf,' he says quietly, lifting his eyes to meet mine.

'One has to when there's no other choice,' I reply grimly.

'Not everyone goes through what you did and remains sane,' he notes, his lips flattened into a thin line.

He's probably remembering the first time we met, when I unknowingly ran into his territory and all but died on his land.

I was skin and bone, on the brink of starvation and in the throes of drug withdrawal.

'Back then I had a purpose,' I say, my gaze distant.

He knows how hard I pushed myself even when I was teetering on the edge, with one foot in the grave. And I only managed to pull myself together because I had something to look forward to.

Something that was taken from me.

'You still have one,' he mentions, opening the small case and getting the syringe and the vial ready.