Undercover Read Free Page B

I—”
    Her words were cut off by a slap from Alvarez. Then the crime lord turned to the camera. “Nikolos, I am sending a plane for you. I wish to hold a family reunion here in Ixtapa.” Alvarez’s smile was pure malice, and Niko knew with cold certainty that either his uncle or his aunt wasn’t going to survive the week.
    “I look forward to seeing you soon, hijo .”
    Niko bared his teeth at the hated nickname. Alvarez, in his twisted way, had decided to treat Niko like the son he’d never had. It sickened Niko to hear the pride in Alvarez’s voice. He particularly hated listening to Alvarez gloat during the recordings he made for Niko’s parents, telling them how deeply entrenched in the criminal underworld their son had become.
    Keeping his emotions in check, Niko turned off the television. Then he headed to his quarters. Only when he was alone in the bathroom with the water running to make sure no noise was picked up by listeners in the hallway, did he let his anger come out in a scream that went on and on, dragged out from the bottom of his soul. When he’d decided to go after Alvarez, he’d never anticipated that other family members would become involved.
    Talk about naïve.
    The thought that his sweet aunt was now under the crime lord’s control, forced to submit to Alvarez’s sick sexual appetites, brought bile to the back of his throat. Niko barely made it to the toilet in time to spill the contents of his stomach.
    When finally the heaving stopped, he lay on the cool tiles, trying to figure out some way to free his aunt and uncle. But Niko didn’t have enough power to challenge Alvarez yet. And he hadn’t been able to make any contacts outside of Alvarez’s organization that might help him.
    Dios , please forgive me, for I have failed them.
    Some time later, he pushed to his feet. While he showered, he shoved his anger, fear and grief down deep. The best he could do was stay alert and be ready to act should an opportunity to free either one come up.
    One Year Later
    Ixtapa, Mexico
    “P ardon, Derecha , but the buyer is waiting for an answer.”
    Niko stared out the second-story window toward the Pacific Ocean. Outside, the air was crisp and fresh. Bright with sunshine that sparkled on the waves. Inside this former Spanish fort, deals were cut to transport drugs into the United States, guaranteeing the ruin of countless lives.
    With Alvarez out of town, Niko, who’d been nicknamed La Mano Derecha by those within the organization, was in charge of okaying the deals. Without turning around, Niko said, “Tell him he can have half of what he’s requested now. Once he’s proven that his money is good and that his organization is professional enough to stay out of trouble with the cops, we’ll talk about the rest.”
    “I will give him your decision.” In the reflection within the window he saw the man nod respectfully at Niko’s back before leaving and closing the door behind him. He knew it grated on the man to have to take orders from a twenty-three-year-old. Alvarez’s unprecedented, rapid promotion of Niko had earned him a shitload of enemies.
    Not that Niko had entered into this mission with the intent of making friends. Still, after four years in Alvarez’s organization, the loneliness was beginning to get to him.
    Despite being alone in the room, Niko didn’t let down his guard. He knew Alvarez kept most of the fortress monitored, and the last thing he wanted was to let the bastard see how close to the edge Niko was.
    I don’t know how much longer I can take this without breaking.
    As usual, immediately on the heels of that thought came the counter response. I can endure whatever is necessary in order to get Aunt Madalena out of this place. I might feel as if each day I’m losing a piece of my soul, but at least I don’t literally have to share Alvarez’s bed.
    Niko’s fingers curled into fists. His aunt’s strength amazed him. She’d survived a year as unwilling mistress to