Chapter 8 The enemy's territory (1)

DARIO

The Delta Night Club is now a Morata property.

I bought it at a very high price and the owner almost backed off, claiming that the deal was too good to be true.

Well, thanks to the skills taught to me since I was a teenager about business, I managed to secure that one. Except, business skills are not the only skills I used. I negotiated and, like everyone else, he didn't have the nerve to say no to me.

Now we have more cash flow in the legal system. Fidel taught me how to play every legal system faster than I gained the courage to ask my first crush out. I probably owe him a few Maseratis for his lessons.

I'm at my office in the mansion when Rex storms in.

"Someone ran a background check on you," he says, sitting opposite me with his legs crossed.

Why do I have an idea of whom this someone might be? "Who?" I still ask.

Rex is my best man in running investigations, looking into people, and unveiling every skeleton in their closets. Besides that, he also makes sure nothing gets traced back to us, so it's not a surprise that he found out about this.

"Your little princess," he says with a grin.

"She's not my..." No one should be referred to as mine. Okay, easier said. Then why the hell was she in my dream last night? Then after that, her image has been residing in my brain.

Regardless, "last night was part of my plan. I don't intend to-you know what, why am I even talking about this?"

"Maybe she has charmed you."

I give him a serious look to let him know that he should get to business as soon as possible, and by that, I mean now.

"So, what are you going to do about it? Since you've made it your business to annoy the crap out of her. I thought you were going to spare her since she's ...."

"Don't you dare say it. Besides, you don't have to keep on reminding me of who she is. Right now, the main point is destroying the Vargas Empire. That's the mission. By the time I'm done with them, they won't even recognize themselves." The words roll off my tongue with so much spite that I didn't even notice how hard I clenched my fists.

"Okay," He raises his hands. "Whatever you say, boss."

"Just find out who this PI is and kill him." I order.

If he's working for the Vargas, then is there any reason to spare him?

"Actually," I change my mind, "find him and lock him up. I'll deal with him myself "

As soon as Rex leaves, I pick up my phone to call the so-called princess, who seems to have developed some interest in me.

Obviously, she's not happy to hear from me.

"Sweetheart, if you wanted to know more about me, you should have just asked." I say immediately.

She gives me an angry "Hello."

"What in the name of earth are you talking about.?" she feigns ignorance.

"Okay, if we're going to play this game, then I'm in," I tell her. I can hear her annoyed breaths on the other end.

"I have no games to play with you, Mr. Morata."

"I guess we'll just find out about it tonight." I remind her of our deal.

"Goodbye," she hangs up before I can say anything more.

________

In the evening, I'm preparing myself to meet Luciana when another female figure walks into my room.

"Hey stranger," she says as she walks towards my bed where I'm seated trying to put on my shoes.

"What are you doing here? I don't remember calling you," I hiss.

"That's right, you don't remember because you've forgotten all about me." She sits beside me and circles her arms around my neck.

What's wrong with women?

"We have a contract and I'm the one to call," I say, shoving her hands off my neck.

"Dario," she says in a complaining voice.

"We are not in some kind of relationship, Brandy."

"I know. It's an understanding. A transaction, if you will. You have been MIA for five days now. I'm starting to think that you're backing out of our deal."

I don't have the time or patience to hear her whining. I have more important things to do than listen to her attempts at making our deal sound like something more than it was.

"I'm glad you still remember what this is."

This time I've stood up and she's still sitting on my bed.

I look at her and then lean closer, pushing her backward, quickly, and she ends up lying on her back looking up at me.

"You're lucky that they let you enter my room. Next time, don't ever accuse me of going back on my word."

I close my cufflink and leave.

"You should leave before my men find you here and shove you out. I'll call you when I need you," I say on my way out.

Fidel is waiting for me in the living room.

"Are you sure about this, Dario?" He asks for the umpteenth time. My date with Luciana has his knickers in a bunch.

"I know why you're worried, Fidel," I hold his shoulder.

"Oh, you have no damn idea."

"I do."

"Just don't spiral. Don't lose control." He goes on with his speech like he's preparing me for something big.

"This should be making you happy. At least I get to follow your advice tonight. You should enjoy it while it lasts."

Besides, "I was in the same room as her yesterday. In the same club, too. She was literally at our table. Did you see me lose control?"

"Uh-huh? What about that stunt with her hand?" he asks.

"That was just me having fun. She's a woman. But I'm not talking about that type of control, you idiot."

He's a wise man, but sometimes his statements make him a lesser, despite the fact that he's lived in this world longer than I have.

A fifty-year-old man has seen more.

"Use your head to think-the one over your shoulders," he warns as always.

I drive myself to the Vargas manor after dropping by a florist's to pick a pretty bouquet for Luciana. That's what men do when they take a lady out, right ?

That aside, I know that I should try to push my anger and bitterness away, but that's all I feel as I drive.

Shit, I need to rearrange myself.

This is my mortal nemesis' residence. I'm probably going to meet them eye to eye, and I don't know how much control I have in me.

Fidel worries way too much, but I underestimated my anger. I thought I had all my spite under control. But now, all I want is to burn this manor down into ashes.