Chapter 11

"We can't find her, Se?or."

Sotza looked up from his temporary desk and studied the man standing before him, assessing him. He didn't frown, didn't get angry, didn't react. That was the thing about the Venezuelan boss, what terrorized the people that knew him, or knew of him. He rarely gave warning before he struck. Simply waited until his victim wasn't watching then killed them, no fuss, no mess. The lucky ones would die before they even knew what happened. The unlucky ones got to find out why he was nicknamed the Gentleman Butcher.

Sotza sat back in his chair, his posture straight. "I must say, Mr. Cruz, I am… disappointed."

It'd been five days since he spoke with Vee, five days since he took out her Mexican connection. He had to admit, he'd been hoping for a vicious comeback from his future bride. Her retaliations were a thing of beauty, the dockyard a particular favourite moment of his. She'd been glorious, facing him down, standing at the front of her crew, surrounded by smoke. Wild and furious, unafraid. He wasn't disappointed with her quiet disappearance though. No, he was intrigued. What could she be up to?

Steve Cruz shifted from foot to foot and tried to look anywhere but at his boss. "The thing is, she ain't at her condo, she ain't at her mansion, and none of us that're sitting on both places saw her leave."

"Which draws us to the conclusion…?" Sotza asked patiently.

Cruz frowned, then he understood. "That she must've left another way, or maybe never was at home to begin with."

"She was home, Cruz, as I told you when I asked you and your men to sit on her residences. To watch her movements and report." Sotza mulled over the possibilities. "Perhaps she didn't leave. Perhaps she's still at home."

"No, boss, we checked."

Sotza stiffened, his back ramrod straight against the leather chair. "What exactly do you mean by 'checked'?"

"We knocked on the door." Watching Cruz explain his actions was like watching a train about to derail. His death was going to be fast, surprising and painful. "When she didn't answer we went in to check on her, see if she was there. But everything was silent, cold, you know, like no one'd been home in awhile."

Sotza refrained from pointing out that he'd specifically asked Cruz and his men to remain in the background, never going near Vee or her people. Now it would appear that Vee had gone to ground in a move he hadn't anticipated, and he had no idea where she might be. If she'd fled the city or was waiting him out.

He also didn't ask why Cruz hadn't thought it strange that there was no security stopping them from entering her home. He didn't want to tip Cruz off to the depth of his fury. Not before he was ready to dispose of the man. "And the mansion? I take it you applied similar tactics?"

Cruz nodded eagerly, wanting to prove his diligence. "No one home there either, Se?or."

This is what Sotza got for hiring local thugs. He'd overestimated Cruz's intelligence, expected too much. In hindsight, Sotza should've gotten someone smarter, braver and generally a bit more of everything that Cruz wasn't to watch his woman. The moment he'd decided to keep Vee for himself he should've flown Mateo Gutierrez in. Mateo was a jack of all trades. Sometimes Sotza's second, sometimes his enforcer, sometimes security, and sometimes, on rare occasions, he acted in Sotza's stead. Taking meetings Sotza couldn't or wouldn't make, acting decisively in the Venezuelan boss's name. Naturally, when Sotza had left his estate, he'd left his seat of power vulnerable. The only man he trusted to care for things in his stead was Mateo. But now he needed him in Miami.

When Sotza went a few minutes without speaking, Cruz opened his mouth to say something, break the silence, possibly blubber out an excuse for his poor behaviour. Sotza help up a hand, stopping him. Cruz fell silent while Sotza picked up his phone and dialed Mateo.

"Mateo," Sotza said into the phone when his man picked up, his voice marginally warmer.

"Boss," Mateo acknowledged. "How's Florida? You get down to the beach yet, enjoy some sun?"

Sotza shook his head. Mateo liked to think he was funny. He enjoyed the idea of Sotza in a bathing suit, out of his typical outfit of impeccable black suit with its long coat, white collared shirt, vest and tie. "Regrettably, no."

"Too bad," Mateo said, humour in his voice. "With your once-per-decade tolerance toward vacations I thought you might do what the locals do and go to the beach."

Now Sotza did chuckle. The reason Mateo was calling his trip to Miami a 'vacation' was because they both knew how much Sotza enjoyed a good bloodbath. He loved takeovers, the more hostile the better. It'd been years since anyone had dared to disrupt his life enough that he had to reiterate his brutal reputation. This trip had invigorated him, reminded him of why he loved being boss. And Vee was the icing on the cake. The sweet treat he wasn't expecting when he agreed to Reyes' proposal to travel to the States.

"I need you in Miami," Sotza said, sobering and getting down to business. "Come watch my back while I take care of business."

"With pleasure," Mateo said enthusiastically. He was no less bloodthirsty than his boss. He'd been disappointed, though appreciative, when Sotza left him in charge at home. Now he'd get to join the action. "I'll arrange my arrival just past midnight."

Sotza flicked a glance at his watch. It was 7pm. The flight took around three and half hours. This is what he liked about his man. Didn't fuck around when he had his orders. Made snap decisions that were in both his and Sotza's best interests. Mateo wasn't an amateur. Sotza eyed Cruz, who had remained wisely silent throughout the conversation. He wondered if maybe he shouldn't keep the man alive, perhaps find another use for him.

"Excellent," Sotza said to Mateo. "Bring some reinforcements. I'd like to wrap things up here and wouldn't mind some decisive action to keep Miami in line after I leave."

He hung up the phone and stared coolly at Cruz. "Do you have a friend, Mr. Cruz? Someone loyal, maybe educated? Someone that can help me out until I'm done here."

Cruz nodded emphatically, pleased to be able to finally give the terrifying Venezuelan some good news. "Yes, Se?or. My cousin Paulo is real book smart and good on the streets too. He likes to help out sometimes, make a little extra cash for college."

"And how do I get in touch with Paulo?" Sotza drawled.

Cruz quickly wrote down the number and stepped back. "Anything else I can do you for, boss?"

"Yes," Sotza said agreeably. "Lock the door, please. This next part isn't for anyone but you."