“Yes.” Matias’ tongue darted out, wetting his bottom lip. “This is my cartel.”
CHAPTER 21
A massive weight evaporated from Matias’ shoulders, replaced by a warmth of sunlight that broke through a rip in the clouds. He licked his lips and swore he tasted joy, tasted her, the beauty of his vida.
Camila paced in front of him, working herself into a sexy mess. Her nipples pebbled beneath her damp shirt, and denim molded deliciously to her tight ass. He wanted nothing more than to strip her bare and fuck her under the blooming branches, just like he’d been meant to do twelve years ago.
But not with Nico here and not while her huge brown eyes were searching for answers.
She’d turned down Nico’s offer, surrendered the easier path, and abandoned herself. For me.
Just the thought of what that meant left him breathless.
“All these years…” She wandered a short distance away and returned, her eyes cloudy, distant. “You were the boss since the beginning.”
Not exactly, but close enough.
Withholding who he was had haunted him since the day he left her, but numerous safeguards needed to be implemented first, with Nico’s proposal being the last measure. Eventually, she would understand the prudence in his secrecy.
“This is madness.” She raked her hands through her hair and closed her eyes. “I have so many questions I don’t even know where to start.” Her head snapped up, and she scanned the grove with a startled whisper. “Who else knows?”
Nico raised a brow in an expression that somehow made his frown look pleasantly surprised. He’d had his doubts about her ability to keep secrets, but Matias had always known that when Camila Dias gave her loyalty it was fiercely deep-rooted.
“The upper-ranking lieutenants and hitmen know who their real boss is.” Nico watched her, his hands hanging loosely at his sides. “As well as some of the staff and hired whores on-site. But the cartel’s thousands of underlings and countless opponents scattered across North and South American? They have no idea.”
She cut her eyes to Matias, every muscle in her body radiating anger. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I don’t think she’s ready for this conversation.” Nico pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
She clenched her hands. “How about you let me be the judge—”
“Camila.” Matias infused his tone with steel. “I couldn’t tell you anything about the cartel over the phone. As for why I didn’t tell you the past two weeks…” He pointed a look at Nico.
She followed his gaze and chewed her lip. Then her lip started to curl. “You wanted me to think he was the boss so he could offer me that deal?”
Matias nodded, waiting for the explosion.
Spinning toward Nico, she leaned forward and stabbed a finger in his direction. “Your proposal was complete bullshit.”
Nico approached her, slowly, dispassionately, and put his face in hers. “Respect me.”
His quiet command held a lethal edge that made her breath catch.
As long as Nico didn’t put his hands on her, Matias wouldn’t interfere with how Nico managed his relationship with her going forward. She needed to adhere to the boundaries Nico had already set and treat him like a superior in front of others. The spy might’ve known who the true capo was, but no one outside the inner circle knew who Camila was. Once Matias caught the son of a bitch, she and Nico could battle it out all they wanted.
“You said you wanted me to ride your dick and wear your collar.” She swatted at a fly near her ear, her complexion red-hot and sexy as hell. “You called me a slut.”
“I gave him a script.” Matias braced for a Camila-sized fist in his direction. Even he knew his approach had been slightly depraved.
“You what?” Her voice shook, but she didn’t swing.
“Give me a little credit here.” Nico lit a cigarette and exhaled a puff of smoke. “I improvised some of that. Very well, I might add.”
“Let me get this straight.” She paced again, which was really distracting because her ass looked damn good flexing in those jeans. “You told Nico to say those things, to humiliate me, all to force me into making a choice? You could’ve just skipped the damn meeting and talked to me like a normal person.”
“Then I would’ve missed your delightful conversation,” Nico said dryly, a gleam of mischief in his eyes.
She shot him a glare and returned to Matias. “If I would’ve chosen him and his offer, you would’ve what?” Her voice grew louder, her steps falling harder, faster. “You would’ve told me it was all a game, beat me with a paddle, and sent me to bed without dinner?” She stopped in front of him, her entire body frozen as she seethed. “It’s really fucked up that you engineered this just to know what I would choose. Because guess what? I might’ve chosen you, but I will not stop fighting for those women.”
There was her backbone, and goddamn, it made him hard as hell.
“She really gets wrapped around the axle.” Nico cocked his head, watching her.
“To the point of paralysis.” Matias flattened his lips to hide a grin.
“I don’t…argh!” She flung her arms up. “I’m trying to make a point.”
“She’s still going, spinning round and round.” Nico took a drag on the cigarette. “She’s probably going to rip out her hair.”
Matias couldn’t stop his chuckle from escaping. Nico laughed, too, and it was crazy to see him drop his facade so quickly in front her. The man had spent the last decade perfecting the cold, psychopathic mask he wore every day. It had become so much a part of him he struggled to shed the act. He must’ve truly liked her.
She stared at them as their amusement faded, hands on her hips and tension flaring in her shoulders and neck. “Laugh it up, but the joke’s on you. I passed your little test, and in the end, I will win the game.”
He drew in a deep breath. They were just teasing her, but he needed
