Genius at Heart

Dominic:

Leaving his detka to hunt his remaining enemies was difficult for him. The only solace was the enhanced Bluetooth device attached to the tracker she provided him. They can communicate with each other anytime without the risk of the battery running out. Amazing woman.

And he thought this type of high-tech, Science-lab invention was only done in movies.

They just landed in Mexico City, and he was about to meet the new Mexican Cartel leader. Rumored to be almost as dangerous, but like him, a man of his word. Mentally nodding in approval, nevertheless, he had to remain extra alert. In a few minutes, his assessment of the man would determine if he had changed much over the years.

Ever cautious, he sent his men ahead to secure the perimeter. Snipers and hardened combatants in place.

Alec exited the private jet first, black shades covering his eyes from the late morning glare, he scanned his open surroundings for a few minutes. Satisfied, he nodded and stepped aside to let Dominic thru.

Dominic scoffed at his friend's overzealous security protocol. "I am The Butcher, not some bimbo, Alec." He walked past him.

His general chuckled. "I have to be thorough, my friend. The tzarina will have my head if something happens to you."

When Alec put it that way, it should irritate him but all he felt was elation. Some fantastic woman waiting for him back home was possessively and exuberantly concerned for his safety.

"Let's hope Rafael Montero had forgotten the time I sock his pretty face," Alec murmured, smirking, remembering their good old days.

Though his face was stoic, unreadable, lips flat, his gray eyes sparkled with amusement. "He would have improved his fighting skills by now, Alec." Dominic surmised.

He had every faith in his general with his hand-to-hand combat and yet he knew for sure that Rafael, a cartel leader, was just as deadly. "Keep our men alert, we don't know if he has changed that much. He might be working with the traitors for all we know." Though he doubted it.

His general nodded and opened the door on the bulletproof SUV for his tzar, joining him a few seconds later. If everything went as planned, they would have the assassin's head by nightfall.

***

Unsurprisingly, the additional security sent by Rafael escorted them to the East side of Polanco, Mexico City.

They stopped at a heavily guarded townhouse and again Alec stepped out of the car first to scan their surroundings, Dominic trusted him and his men to have the area ensured of their safety. The world he was lording in was a very dangerous place to live. Alliances formed and changed with a blink of an eye.

By this time, his composure marked him to be the deadliest mafia king. When he stepped out of the car, a dangerous aura preceded him. Face impassive, posture stiff, and authoritarian. The weight of his knives and Glock concealed at the lining of his coat was familiar.

Thick and heavy anticipation filled the air around them. Devoid of any expression, Dominic watched the man coming to meet them with the usual prowling, stalking strides perfected by such predators. As impressive as the Mafia tzar, he was tall and tan, heavily muscled, uncompromisingly perfect sculpted body and face, and clothed elegantly in all black Armani. Like recognized like. The clear hazel eyes told as much. Leaders both. Dominic shook the hands of the man before him. Firm and steady. Good.

"Welcome to my humble abode, tzar" Rafael intoned, he inclined his head to Alec. "And I see you brought along your ancient wingman." His brown eyes gleamed with amusement. "I'll show you old, Raf," Alec growled mockingly.

Rafael chuckled and clapped Alec's back none too gently. "Come along. It's been too long since we shared a drink."

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The modern style townhouse they entered was quite impressive. Their host guided them to his domain. His second in command, his younger cousin Arturo joined them, inclining his head in respect to Dominic. Settling their tall frames on dark, luxurious, leather couches, they remained silent, reserved, and waited for their expensive drinks served.

Rafael raised his crystal glass in a salute and sip appreciatively.

Dominic murmured his approval. The guy smuggled the best whiskey. As much as he enjoyed good alcohol, he came here for one thing. He cleared his throat. The cartel leader gave him his attention. "I want to know where the assassin is." No need to elaborate. They knew why he was here.

The relaxed air about them faded away, replaced again by tension.

"I want him, too," Rafael answered. His gaze was just as hard. Unsurprising. Almost challenging.

Everyone was quiet, waiting.

If this had happened before Dominic met Beau, both leaders would already be at each other's throats. However, the mafia king could feel the restraint for violence holding him back. Fuck! He was getting soft.

"I will kill him, Rafael. Out of respect for your territory and our friendship, I had to pass by here and tell you. My surveillance team knows his location, though it's heavily guarded, I can guarantee you, we will burn that hideout to the ground before sunset." He held up his hand to halt whatever the cartel leader had to say. Didn't they know he was always two steps ahead? "Now tell me. Why?"

Rafael looked at him seriously. Lips pressed in a thin line. Memories of the past easily reflected on his darkened gaze. "For revenge, tzar. It was something I promised myself I would do. You can torture him all you want. What I want is for him to see my face before I cut his throat." Pain. Too much pain easily read.

That was a good enough answer for Dominic. They could play together so long as their goal was the same. His decision was made, though it was not reflected on his features, pretending he was still considering.

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Rafael and his cousin awaited the mafia king's decision with a blank expression.

Finishing his drink, he stood smoothly and straightened his suit. Alec followed, indubitably on alert. Graceful like a lion, the tzar strolled to the door, halted. "We are moving out in 15 minutes. Have your men ready, Rafael. One thing, what I say goes." He left it at that and exited the room.

Needing privacy to call his detka before they move out, he went back to his bulletproof SUV, shutting the door, he opened their line of communication.

"Detka,"

"Dominic, I sent the coordinates to Alec's phone." Trust her to have everything covered. His lips lifted from the eagerness in her sweet voice.

"I know, moya lyubov. Our men are in position. I just want to hear your voice and to check if you are not overdoing it."

"I'm pregnant. Not an invalid. And I'm so bored sitting on this chair and craving Chinese,” she answered in an irritated voice. He chuckled. Her sassiness was one of the best things about her.

"You better be sitting in that chair and relaxing until I get home, detka." There was enough warning in his tone to make her huff. He smirked, knowing she couldn't see him. "We will be moving out in a few minutes. I'll see you as soon as we are done here. I love you, baby."

"And I love you, Dominic. And come home safe or you will be sleeping on the couch." Beau ended the call abruptly. Trust her to have the last words. He couldn't wait to get back to her. But first...

Three raps on the door and Alec joined him in the car. "We are ready, tzar."

"Good. Let's get this son of a bitch."