Chapter 4

The next morning in Carlos mansion everybody was getting ready for the party. The party is to congratulate the new boss in the north.

Other underbosses were supposed to be formally introduced to Felipe, even though most of them have already met him, with him being the boss nephew and all.

Around 3pm all the tables were set and ready. The lovely aroma of different dishes and spices made everyone mouth water.

The maids kept running up and down the stairs, getting the lady of the house updates on the preparations while she was getting her hair and makeup done by the family stylist.

The first guest that arrived was Felipe, his mother Rosa and her new husband, Bronco.

As usual Felipe was walking in front of them holding a bottle of wine in his hands, with a golden ribbon on top of it.

Isabella, Carlos wife was standing at the end of the stair case, tall and filled with pride.

“Welcome, Felipe. We expected you to show up a little earlier. After all this is YOUR party, don't you think it would be expected of you to welcome YOUR guests yourself?” Isabella said .

Rosa who was clearly offended by her words, turned her head sideways and looked around. ”It seems to me we’re the first ones here. So he didn't miss much, now did he?” She stared into Isabella eyes shooting daggers with hers.

Felipe who was clearly done with this conversation rolled his eyes and hand Isabella the bottle. ”Your favorite, aunt Isabel. Sorry for the delay. I had some business to take care of before the initiation.”

Rosa glared at him. She hated that Isabella got to be victorious in this discussion.

She turned around and walked to the tables.

“Is THIS the napkin you went with.” She said with a smirk.

Felipe knew this was gonna be the second round and was positive this one was going to be much longer than the first so he interrupted Isabella who had opened her mouth for a witty comeback ”Where is uncle Carlos? Is he here yet?”

“He’s in his study, upstairs.” Isabella said, not taking her eyes off Rosa for a second.

Felipe started to head out to the study. He heard his mom and Isabella getting into it again.

“If you ladies excuse me, I’ll go say hello to our host too. ”Bronco said, impatient to get away. Of course neither of them paid him any attention.

Bronco caught up to Felipe when he reached the study.

“Are you nervous for tonight?” Bronco said with a foolish smile on his lips.

“I’ve been in this business since I was ten, what do you think?” Felipe said sarcastically with a superior curl of the lip.

that answer wiped the smile right off Bronco face. He knew what he learned about Felipe work in the past year was just the tip of the iceberg.

The only reason they allowed him to handle small parts of the business, was his marriage to Rosa. But that didn't mean he was actually part of the family. He knew he would never be trusted enough to be let in on the big deals.

Felipe knocked on the door. Carlos voice came through the door firm and clear, “come in.”

After a few minutes of pleasantries, Bronco felt Carlos heavy eyes on him and decided it was time for him to take his leave.

When he walked back downstairs a few other members of the extended family had already arrived, and that was enough to make Rosa and Isabella act civilized.

Few hours into the party, almost everyone had arrived, all dressed up, with their fake smiles sewed to their faces, ready to discover the slightest weakness.

Per Carlos last warnings none of the guests left the weapons back In their expensive cars. This was after all a public affair; politicians, investors, CEOs, and practically anybody who was somebody, were among the guests.

One mistake could cost everyone so much that making one wasn't an option, even for the family soldiers.

Felipe, Carlos, and Bronco were all standing together, talking about the legal parts of their business. On the surface this was a party for Felipe opening a new hotel casino up in the north, which technically was true. But everyone knew it was more than that. He was replacing his late father in the north. He was going to control all the drugs, whorehouses, arm deals, and some other things like the hotel and casino.

Since his father’s murder, each part of his job was handed over to one of the family members. But Felipe has been rising up ever since he got the control of one of the whorehouses. Slowly, he’s been taking charge of the rest as well.

Now it was finally the time for him to be officially introduced as the new head of the north.

Keeping everyone in check is not an easy job, especially if they don't see you as the official boss.

Felipe was drinking, he needed a buzz to get through tonight. Between Carlos pretending to be an honorable businessman and Bronco talking nonstop, he preferred to take down other underbosses by killing them one by one to get the job.

Robert J. Harring approached them, he was always so cheerful and happy, it made Felipe sick. Of course he had every reason to be happy, his dad, Robert Harring, had been working himself to the bone to keep his business up and running, and he was successful too. Everyone in the wine industry knew his name.

But for all his accomplishments in the business he sucked at raising his kid. His son has been trying to take over his company. And he also was keen on finding a way into Carlos close circle.

Felipe was sure he’s a fool. He could lead his life with ease but no, he wanted to get himself and all of his employees in trouble. No one in their right mind would want to get involved with the mob, it was too dangerous especially if you aren't a family member. Most people just paid them enough to keep them happy.

There are only a few like Robert J. who let the ambition blind them to the dangers. And if history taught everyone anything it was that those people ended up missing, dead, or worst.

Felipe stiffened as Robert reached and put his hand on his shoulder.

“Hey man, congrats. Just so you know if it was a voting matter, you would’ve had mine.” Robert J. said and laughed at his not-so-funny remark.

Felipe pushed his hand away from his shoulder with a frown, ”thanks for the support, not that it matters.”

“Oh come on. Dude it’s your party, loosen up.” Robert said punching Felipe lightly on his arm. ”You didn't even bring a date for god sake.” He said with a smirk

Then he went up close to him and whispered in his ear, “I’ve heard you like it rough, how about the one in red I’ve brought with myself?”

Felipe turned his face so he’d face him with fire in his eyes, and stared at him with disgust.

“Don’t worry, I’m great at sharing. And to be honest I’d love to see your work.” Robert continued.

The smile on Robert face turned his stomach ”I don’t know what your talking about, and I have no interest to find out either.”.

He gulped down all of his drink at once, then turned around and went to one of the waiters to grab another one.

Robert didn't seem to take the hint. He followed him and kept going on. “ Well for your information I happen to know a little lady who is a mutual acquaintance of ours.”

Felipe was getting restless. He downed then whole glass again and picked up another one. The waiter kept glancing at them with fearful eyes. He might just have been a waiter, but he knew the consequences of pissing off a mob boss, whose job description includes murder.

“Why don't you go piss off someone else? I'm not in the mood.” Felipe said through clenched teeth. His grip on the wineglass was getting so tight, the waiter thought it would break any second now.

“Not in the mood to be civilized? That’s exactly what I’m counting on.” Robert said with interest and excitement in his voice. ”I was there the night of your ‘incident’ at Roxy. I saw what you had done to the girl.” He whistled, ”it was the so bad everyone thought she was attacked by an animal.”

He pushed the waiter away with one of his hands, took his place to face Felipe. ”I would love to watch you in action dude. So what do you say? Me you the blond over there? And you don't have to worry about her talking to no one. I’ll handle that myself.”

Felipe couldn't keep himself in check anymore. He pushed him with his free hand. Heat coming off his body, he made a fist ready to beat the shit out of the asshole in front of him, when suddenly someone stopped his raised fist with their hands.

He turned his head so quickly, his neck made a sound. The anger in his eyes disappear real fast after he saw Carlos.

But Carlos wasn't looking him in the eyes, instead he was staring into Robert widened eyes.as soon as Robert looked at Carlos, he hid his fear and surprise and put on an indifferent face.

“Felipe, get a grip or you'll be sorry.” Carlos said under his breath with an obvious fake smile, without taking his eyes off Robert. ”Start smiling every eye in the room is on you.” He ordered.

Felipe fixed his tie, and gave Robert shoulder a friendly punch, which by the force he put in it made it clear to Robert it wasn't that friendly. ”Got you ‘dude’” Felipe said with a fake laughter “I’ll see you later, gotta welcome the newcomers.”

He walked off towards the front door, shaking his head now and then when he saw someone familiar.

“You better watch it boy. You don't want to have too much fun now, do you?” Carlos said with a threatening voice.

“Sorry boss, guess I went a little too far.”

Carlos answered him with a fake smile.

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