King’s Demands by Piper Stone
Chapter 1
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction.”—Albert Einstein
Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Dante
Violence.
That was the way of our world, a place where men climbed the corpses of others in order to achieve their personal greatness. My captain in the Marines had never called himself a great leader. He’d always treated himself as if he was required to dig in the trenches, wallowing in mud and gore just like the rest of the men and women under his command. However, he’d never wavered on the orders he provided, insisting that his people follow without question.
And we always had.
That had been indoctrinated into me from day one after I’d joined the ranks. I’d been forced to prove myself right along with the hundreds of others, a strong percentage of them failing bootcamp. Hell, the percentage of failures had been almost thirty percent the year I’d been trained, the workouts and experience brutal.
But not nearly as much as the training I’d received being a member of the King family, the lastborn son of a great man. A dangerous man.
A powerful man.
My reputation had preceded me, almost the entire leadership making it their personal mission to have me tossed out. I’d even been given ‘special’ treatment during the Crucible, the toughest fifty-four-hour endurance training of the entire experience. But I’d survived. Hell, I’d even gotten the best score of the grueling two-day-plus event.
However, it had taken my accuracy at weaponry, taking out several enemies at long range distance to garner their respect.
I’d also had zero issue with using a level of violence as required, perfecting kills with speed and ease of conscience.
That had gotten me labeled as a dangerous man.
While I’d been coerced to return to the King family organization, even receiving multiple phone calls from the family Consigliere, I’d refused for well over two months. However, as my father had lectured from the time I could remember, blood was thicker than water. It had been my duty to return.
I shifted the gears on the old Jeep, the dim headlights barely allowing me to see a few feet into the dense rainforest. The recent heavy precipitation was gone, leaving the traveling treacherous, water dripping from the lush greenery. Sounds of jungle life were everywhere, the clicks and creaks a constant reminder of being overseas, only the circumstances were entirely different.
Our shipments of party favors had been delayed, our vessels prepared to leave Brazil standing empty. We’d already lost close to a cool half million during the last week. That was unacceptable. Fortunately, the reason had been determined. Betrayal. The dictator holding court in all of South America had allowed the King family to take a small percentage of his business. Carlos Morales was a brutal leader, the tenuous deal made with him obviously prepared to crumble. I’d been sent to handle the necessary punishment as well as determine Morales’ continued plans. If that included invading our turf in the United States, he would be crushed like a bug.
“I don’t like this shit at all,” Paolo hissed from the passenger seat. The man had been assigned as my Capo, my brother Cristiano vouching for his loyalty as well as his leadership skills after my return. I’d yet to make my decision about him. Perhaps I was used to an entirely different mindset. While the man was highly skilled, including in weaponry, he was crude around the edges, his lack of organization pissing me off more than once.
Although the man had humble beginnings in Mexico, the jungle was oppressive in an entirely different way. The Amazon had a way of determining man from boy.
“Relax. We go in. We extract the needed information as well as issue penance. Then we’re out.” I had to admit I didn’t want to hang around in Brazil longer than necessary. The flight would leave early in the morning. Unfortunately, there were men loyal to Carlos Morales everywhere in the country, the bastards true mercenaries in every sense of the word. If he’d turned some of our soldiers, the asshole was prepared for war.
Almost eight months had passed since the family’s last incident with Morales. However, we’d known that it would only be a matter of time until the brutal dictator reared his ugly head. A deal of peace had been proctored over a need to rid ourselves of a common enemy, Morales promising to forgo advancing anywhere near our turf stretching from Texas to the Florida Keys.
However, the man had no honor.
Now we’d found that that three of our most trusted men had not only provided information but help, allowing for a raid of our shipment of cocaine. That couldn’t go without punishment.
But not before I determined Morales’ future plans.
That was my one task at this point, other than making an example out of the fuckers who’d dared to defy the King Empire.
“Yeah, well, leaving can’t occur soon enough,” Paolo huffed. “And a freaking mine? What the hell are they doing at a damned cave?”
“Just an excellent place to store our product before it gets shipped out.” While we stored the drugs produced and brought to New Orleans in a series of secured warehouses, in South America, Morales either owned or protected almost every piece of real estate. We’d determined it had been far too risky operating out of a building. That had been done before with explosive results. We couldn’t keep enough manpower in a foreign country to make it worthwhile. Even keeping the compound my father had secured almost two decades before was a ticking timebomb. Of course, Morales knew its location. He also knew that attacking it wasn’t in his best interest.
Paolo huffed. “Whatever you say, boss.”
“I assume you’ve made certain I have everything I need for our… conversation with the men?”
“Absolutely, boss. Jarvis made certain you’d be happy.” He snickered then cursed in Spanish as he slapped at several flying insects. “Goddamn, they grow the fucking creatures big here.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. The man had no understanding of the kind of monsters lurking in the deserts and jungles where I’d been. I slowed the Jeep, studying the area then checking the map, finally able to detect what appeared to be a torch in close proximity. I grabbed the binoculars, scanning the area in search of any problems. While I detected none, I was no fool. Communication could have been intercepted at any time.
Morales had shifted his main operation to his various compounds throughout the country. His estates were massive and luxurious, several of which we’d yet to locate. However, it was obvious that he owned one of the properties in close proximity given the location of the river.
“Be ready in case we’ve been compromised,” I said under my breath, dragging my Glock from the duffle bag. I turned off the lights after only a few yards, able to maneuver close to the camp.
Paolo rose from the seat, pointing his weapon in the direction of the lights. “I see our people.”
I cut the engine, taking my time to exit the vehicle. The camp had been used years before and found by one of our soldiers. Given the close proximity to Manaus City as well as to the Rio Negro, the location was truly perfect for doing business as well as maintaining a low profile when necessary. There was still extensive mining occurring in the country, although the majority in this area had been stripped of various precious gems.
With Morales threatening our business, it would seem he was preparing for a change in scenery. If that was the case, we’d be forced to make certain decisions that could create issues in our beloved N’awlins.
When I approached, Jarvis headed in my direction, a grin on his face. He’d earned his moniker of Bone Crusher with ease. He was another man without a conscience, his gruff actions proving useful over the last few months.
“Boss. Good to see you,” Jarvis said, sweat beading along his forehead.
I studied the area, shaking my head. “I take it you provided a generator.”
“Full service, boss. You should know that by now.”
Paolo flanked my side, sweeping the area. We were likely less than five miles from one of several massive estates, the production of rubber very good to the most influential people in town. However, given the rough conditions of the Amazon, no one would ever know it. It was a stretch of land considered uninhabitable. The slithering sound of several snakes made my Capo jumpy.
“All right. Time to get on with the party.” I allowed Jarvis to lead the way into the mouth of a cave, the thick walls also an excellent sound barrier. I passed by bundles of product, all waiting to be shipping out in the morning. Everything had been on track. Now I had to deal with freaking betrayal.
As I was led down a fairly well-lit passageway, I was able to hear the sound of water. There were waterfalls everywhere, their fall leading to the various rivers. It was vital to the method of punishment I was planning on using.
“Watch your head, boss. They’re in here.” Jarvis leaned over before entering another cavern area. It was easy to see that at some point, there’d been extensive mining activity.
I followed him in, Paolo directly behind me. There would be two soldiers remaining at the entrance; however, I doubted our little party would be detected. Once fully inside, I had to say I was impressed with the rigging system Jarvis had been forced to improvise. The man’s creativeness in using the naturally cascading water was brilliant.
I’d known men and women in my company who’d been brave, enduring torture while refusing to provide information to the insurgents. Some had been rescued, others dying for their country. They’d all been true heroes, rewarded with the highest honors possible. I’d learned about and studied several methods of enticing an enemy to talk from the guerillas overseas, but the procedure I’d perfected had been learned from my father.
He was the true King of Pain.
While there would always be enemies, the situation was much worse when it came from within your own ranks. The disloyal behavior called for a long and difficult death.
As I walked closer, it was easy to tell even in the dim lighting that all three had been properly worked over prior to my arrival. I shifted my gaze to the chains wrapped around their wrists, the metal pole keeping them in the air perfect for the conduction of electrical current.
Let alone the water flow.
Only one of the former soldiers was actively attempting to free himself, the creaking of metal as he swung his body adding to the eerie ambiance in the cave. I would start with him. Slipping a finger under his chin, I forced it up by several inches, allowing me to study his battered face. He was difficult to recognize, but I knew his name as I did all the men who’d been placed on my detail.
“Felipe. It would appear that you didn’t find the working conditions within the King family to your satisfaction. Is that the truth?”
My question didn’t seem to register in the asshole for a solid thirty seconds. Then he grinned. “It was fun while it lasted.” Felipe’s voice was strangled, likely from the blood dripping from his mouth.
Jarvis took a step closer, acting as he was prepared to beat the shit out of the man. I threw up my arm. While he knew better, I appreciated his quick reaction.
“I’m going to make this fairly easy for you, Felipe. What information did you supply to Morales, other than providing the details about our product location to him?”
“I didn’t need to say anything. He knows everything about your whereabouts.”
His statement was bold. It also wasn’t a lie. That put me even further over the edge.
Sighing, I moved toward Daniel, gripping his jaw and forcing him to look me in the eye. His breathing was even more labored, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “Daniel, as you might imagine, I’m not a patient man, nor do I appreciate anyone trying to fuck with my family!” The last words stated with vehemence seemed to bounce in echoes off the thick walls. Hissing, I shook my head. “I don’t enjoy getting angry, but in this case, I will allow my rage to surface. Now, what do you know about Morales and his future plans?”
“Na… Nothing. I wouldn’t betray you. Please don’t,” Daniel moaned.
My God, the man was whimpering. There was nothing worse than a grown man begging for his life.
“Please don’t? Don’t punish you for your treachery? Don’t destroy your family as you attempted to do to mine? What?”
“My wife… She’s all I have.”
I closed my eyes briefly, another headache forming. “Then you should have thought about that before. Christ.” As I moved on to the third man, I could see actually detect a smile on the fucker’s face.
“He forced me. You don’t know how dangerous Morales is,” Daniel managed to say.
It was obvious Morales had intended on pushing our buttons as he continued his love of games. I ignored his comment, glaring at Martin, a brute of a man I’d never liked. “What do you have to say, Martin? An excuse? Perhaps you’d like to beg for your life as well?”
“Fuck you.”
I had to admit that I was surprised by the man’s audacity. I glanced at the generator that had been used, the cables still dangling from the current shooting through them. And still, the assholes refused to talk. I threw a hard punch to Martin’s gut, flexing my fingers after doing so. “And now?”
His grin forced me to deliver several additional punches, the swinging sound the chains made forcing me to roll my eyes.
Daniel struggled, fighting with his bindings. I could tell the man was terrified.
I’d never considered myself anything close to the nature of my brothers, especially Cristiano and Lucian. They’d always been certain to ascend to the throne, using their keen leadership skills as well as their penchant for extracting information to their benefit. In fact, I’d never wanted to be a part of the family operation at all, condemning it after witnessing my father’s brutal torture of a man who owed the family money.
However, I’d learned through the years that family was the most important thing. Not money. Not power. This was no time to show any sign of weakness. The methods used here today would have an excellent trickledown effect amongst the ranks.
I approached Felipe, taking my time to study his face. “I’ll ask you one more time. Tell me what Morales is planning. If you do, I’ll show you that I can be fair and lenient.”
“I can’t do that,” Felipe huffed, spittle oozing from one side of his mouth. The electricity had hit him hard, his body still shaking.
“All right. You can’t say I didn’t try,” I huffed then pummeled my fist into him, ending with a hard strike across his face.
“You… are… just like… them.”
His answer was enough to send another wave of fury into my system.
“This is getting us nowhere,” I said to no one in particular. I shifted to Daniel, almost hating the need to convince him to cooperate. “Daniel. I know you’d like to get back to your family. What can you tell me?”
“I swear to God,” he blubbered. “I was forced to come along. They didn’t share anything with me other than they were going to fuck with the King family.”
I had a feeling the man was being honest. Too bad he hadn’t contacted me or another member of the family. I punched him several times in the face before taking several steps away. This shit was getting old. “I think that should teach you not to fuck with the family.” The generator remained running, allowing all three men to know just how serious I was.
A few seconds later, I moved toward Martin. How he managed to find enough saliva to spit across my face was interesting. He’d likely ingested some of the trickling water. He also made a terrible mistake. I didn’t bother asking him any questions. It would obviously be futile.
Mistake number four. Or maybe five. I’d lost count. I shook my head. What a damn shame. All three had been rising stars.
After Jarvis turned off the generator and the battery charger, I motioned to him to head closer to the passageway. “Finish the job with Felipe and Martin.”
“What about Daniel?” Jarvis shot a look over his shoulder.
I rubbed my jaw, glancing in the man’s direction. “He remains. Send him stateside and back to his family. Make certain they are well taken care of as well as protected in the short term. Then I’ll decide.”
“You got it, boss.”
“Feed them to the piranhas. I’ve heard they’re especially hungry this time of year.”
Jarvis grinned, giving me a nod of respect.
“Then get the product the hell out of here and close down the camp. We’ll make other provisions at a later date.”
I could tell Jarvis was questioning my decision. All I had to do was give him a stern look.
“Yes, boss.”
I wasted no time exiting the area, Paolo following. We hadn’t made it twenty feet when I heard gunshots. I took a breath. A vacation was definitely needed.
So much for hiring good help.
While the damn jungle air was humid, it was a welcome change to the frigid temperatures of the cave. We headed for the Jeep. It was time for a cold beer and a good night’s sleep followed by a return to New Orleans in the morning. Then the fun would really begin, plans required to end the disagreements we had with Morales.
I hopped into the Jeep, immediately starting the engine. As I drove through the jungle, I made a promise to myself that this was the last damn trip to South America. The King family owned enough other businesses to allow me to protect our options.
The trip back to the compound the family owned didn’t seem to take nearly as long. Then again, maybe I’d learned enough about the jungle to know how to avoid the pitfalls, which could be located everywhere. Morales enjoyed setting traps, pits containing snakes and other wild animals. In my mind, the man was one sick fuck.
Paolo said nothing during the trip. I’d known Daniel had been his friend, but there wasn’t any room for friends inside the operation.
We’d gained nothing more than to affirm the fact Morales was on the move. At least the party favors hadn’t been raided. That wasn’t worth much, but if the man continued with his plans, that would affect our operations in South America as well as the entire US Coastline. I loathed this portion of our business. Selling drugs was old school, the way my father had built the empire. To me, it was far too dangerous given other lucrative methods of operating. But I wasn’t running the show, merely considered a prince.
I couldn’t help but chuckle under my breath realizing just how much the family operated like royalty. A family people should bow down to. That continued to occur, the number of politicians, law enforcement, major business players, and diamond dealers wanting to show their loyalty still surprising the hell out of me.
I’d returned to New Orleans to find the entire King organization had increased in value by more than two times. It had been a bittersweet return.
By the time I drove past the secure gates of the surrounding grounds, I was exhausted. With my brothers finding lives outside of business operations, at least according to all four of them, I’d been tasked with more responsibility. While that suited me just fine, I couldn’t believe they’d bowed down to their carnal desires. Women were wonderful, beautiful creatures to be enjoyed, but over a short time frame. I couldn’t imagine bringing anyone into my world, forcing them into a life where they’d always have a target on their back. And children? Hell, no.
Cristiano’s first babies were anticipated to arrive any day. Twins, just like Michael’s first wife had birthed. The impending due date had prevented him from accompanying me on the trip. Sadly, his wife, Emily, had experienced complications during her pregnancy. I knew my brother was concerned. That had shoved Cristiano to a dangerous edge, his mood darkening. That’s another thing I couldn’t tolerate. Worry and guilt. That concept of wretched emotions added to my decision to remain alone.
After parking, I sighed before getting out, studying the two soldiers who’d remained on watch. While the house wasn’t connected to the King name, it was only a matter of time before someone discovered the location. If that already hadn’t happened, which I was beginning to believe was the case. While the soldiers nodded, indicating everything was clear, I kept the weapon in my hands, grabbing the duffle.
“That was real good of you to allow Daniel to live,” Paolo said quietly, remaining in his seat. He would stay in the secondary facility, one designed with soldiers in mind.
I stopped short then tipped my head until I was able to see him. “It was a business decision.”
“Sure, boss. I know what you mean. I just… Anyway. Have a good night.” He climbed out, starting to walk away.
I watched him for a few seconds, ready to head inside when he reached for his holster, immediately drawing his weapon. What the hell had he heard?
He motioned to the back of the Jeep, the thick, flexible cover hiding little more than basic equipment. However, the man was observant, almost never wrong. I shifted closer, nodding to Paolo to do the same. I could clearly see where someone had unfastened one of the snaps. I was meticulous in operations, which meant our equipment had been invaded. I held the Glock in one hand as I ripped the covering back, Paolo shining his flashlight inside.
While I would have expected a venomous snake in an effort to make an assassination attempt, what I didn’t expect to find was a stunning young woman hiding under the canvas, her hair spilling out from the cap she’d been wearing. What. The. Hell?
I wrapped my hand around her wrist, immediately yanking her onto the driveway. Then I snagged her around the throat, digging my fingers into her skin as I pointed the barrel of the gun to her forehead. “I’m only going to ask you this once, cherie. Who the fuck are you?”
Quivering, she held up her hands, the way her long dark hair covered a good portion of her face making it impossible to see what she looked like. While she was shaking, she certainly wasn’t as terrified as I would have expected.
Paolo moved around her, huffing then pulling a weapon from her back. He patted her down, finding a knife secured in her boot as well as an extra clip of ammunition in one of her pockets.
“Nice girls shouldn’t play with firearms,” he stated. Paolo inched closer, allowing me to see the gun she’d been carrying. The weapon was something a soldier would select. The fact she’d just shown up certainly wasn’t a coincidence.
She tried to stare me in the eyes, her lips pursing. I shifted the hair out of her face and even in the dim lighting, it was easy to tell just how gorgeous she was.
“One last time, sweetheart. Who are you and what are you doing here?”
Her look becoming defiant, she hissed before answering, the words stated with utter defiance. “My name is Julieta.”
“Julieta what? Who sent you?”
“No one sent me.” Her accent was Spanish, but definitely well educated.
“Then why are you here?”
“I just needed to get the hell away from there. You were an easy ride.”
“From where?” I demanded, adding enough pressure against her lovely throat that she coughed, fighting like a wildcat. The last thing I needed was baggage of any kind. She’d obviously climbed into the vehicle at the campsite. I wanted her to admit it, although I found that difficult to believe.
Hissing, the girl tried to claw me with her fingers. Did she honestly have no clue who owned the vehicle she’d stowed away in?
“You should kill her, boss,” Paolo said under his breath.
I shot him a look and that was all he needed in order to back down. I might be a killer, not just during my time in the military, but I refused to harm a woman or a kid. I did have some honor after all.
“Where?” I squeezed even harder, shaking my head when she continued to refuse to answer. “I’m losing my patience. You won’t like me when that happens.”
“Fine, asshole,” she managed, snarling even though I knew she had difficulty breathing. “I was at the damn camp.”
“Why?”
My God, the woman actually laughed. She had some balls on her.
“Collecting something that belonged to me.”
I gave her a look.
“What does it matter to you? I only wanted to get the hell out of the jungle and this godforsaken place. You seemed like an easy ride.” She spat out the words as if the entire situation sounded perfectly logical.
Even Paolo laughed.
This was getting me nowhere.
“Do you know who I am?” When she didn’t answer, I squeezed until there was no doubt she had difficulty breathing. “Do you know what I can do? Let me just say that you should be very afraid.”
Another laughed pushed past her voluptuous lips. “I could never be afraid of a man like you.”
After taking a deep breath, I lessened my hold. There was something about her that kicked up my level of curiosity. My hackles remained raised. She was hiding from someone.
“Then who are you afraid of?” I couldn’t wait to hear the answer.
She merely pursed her lips, glaring at me with utter hatred in her eyes.
I pulled my hand away, studying her intently. She was dressed in what appeared to be army fatigues, the kind I’d seen the Morales soldiers wearing. With her combat boots and heavy jacket, it became clear that she’d done everything she could to hide her identity.
“Answer me, princess.”
Huffing, she wrapped her hand around her neck, rubbing yet remaining exactly where she was. The feisty female was determined to piss me off. “A powerful man,” she finally said, the defiance from earlier all but nonexistent in her voice.
“Why?”
“Because he’s going to kill me.” She was becoming unhinged, darting looks from one side of the compound to the other.
“Who is going to kill you?” When she struggled in finding an answer, I pushed the barrel of my weapon against her forehead once again. “If you want to remain alive, you’re going to need to talk to me. Who is this man trying to kill you?”
She held her head high, venom in her eyes. “My father.”
“And who the hell is your father?”
The girl darted a look to Paolo before answering, “My father is Carlos Morales, the most powerful man in the world.”
