Chapter 11: Trouble Brewing

After he was finished, he unbound me and put me in a bath. The bath was relaxing minus the sore ass, but I enjoyed all of it in a strange way. Or at least it felt like a strange thing to enjoy what just happened after everything else that had occurred over the last almost 7 months. He let me soak a bit, then came in to wash me up gently from head to toe. Once the bath was finished he dried me off and took me to bed, where he cuddled up with me and made sure I got to sleep. I woke up later in the night to find him gone, I got up to look for him and found him in the living room on the phone. I stayed back out of sight since he hadn’t noticed me yet to listen and see what had him up so late.

“I am not giving her to you. She is my wife…” he was pacing and upset again. “…she has proven to be invaluable and loyal beyond even my own men who have been with me for years. You will not find her, and you will not get her. We are supposed to be business partners and friends so if you think you can intimidate me into giving her up, you clearly don’t value my business knowledge and seriously underestimate me.” Rauul must be talking to Rodriguez again and I’m not liking the sounds of the conversation. He continued again, “She is not a quick tame, in case you have forgotten already she killed your thug for trying to make moves on her and attempting to choke her. She has been able to handle herself from day one and that is commendable especially when combined with her obedience in all instructions I have ever given her. You don’t just find women like her anywhere which is why I refuse to allow anyone to take her…” he paused again listening to Rodriguez and becoming more enraged. “NO, no I will not.”

I did not like this conversation. Yes, I know I am still a captive of Rauul’s, I also know he has pretty much fallen in love with me and the fact that I am a good obedient girl. But this good girl will not be played with or taken captive by anyone else, I refuse. I listened as the conversation continued as I walked back to the bedroom. Now that I am awake I can hear the conversation from the other room as pissed as Rauul is right now. I started pacing the bedroom listening to him respond to Rodriguez, he went quiet, as I turned around he stood in the doorway. I threw a knife at him out of nowhere landing on the door frame near his head. He jumped back in shock, “What the hell is that?!” he demanded.

“I want to officially be trained as an assassin. I am tired of being the victim and scared slave to all the cartel bitches. This is nothing against you dear, you have treated me fairly and done your best to keep me safe but with all the bullshit from Rodriguez, I refuse to be a victim. I have skills already I just need them properly trained, so that I don’t have to worry if I get kidnapped again. I want to know that they will release me or I will escape no matter what. I will not be someone else’s property, I belong to you and I accepted this months ago.” I was very blunt and to the point. “I heard at least your end of the conversation with Rodriguez just a minute ago, I will never be his. I will not allow him to own me, take me or try to control me.”

He cautiously stepped back into the doorway and pulled the knife out of the door frame, which took a little effort because I buried it. “I will not let him get his hands on you my ninita. I don’t know about assassin training, but I agree you need to be better trained to defend yourself should a situation arise.”

“…no, no, no, I want assassin training. Self-defense training will not truly help me be able to disarm someone or effectively put them down with or without killing them. I want the knowledge and ability to incapacitate them or worse if needed. I know I am capable, I just want to be trained properly, please.” I threw my little fit and ended with a plea for the assistance. I know not the message I wanted to send or the preferred way of thinking but as I am seeing so far the best thing is to be Prepared no matter what.

“I will find you some training and we will take it from there Amalia. I understand your reasoning, do not think I do not. I am not afraid of you knowing those skills personally, I just do not want to see you lose the love and kindness you have now in all that. A killer is trained not to feel anything, that is what makes a perfect assassin. I love your kind, gentle, and fierceness, it makes you… You.” he is and isn’t trying to talk me out of it.

I don’t think he realizes I can turn off the feelings when I want to as is, so teaching to better use what I know or learn a little more will not affect my ability to feel or be kind and gentle. “Ok, fair enough. Now can we lay back down for a bit Rauul?” I asked still tired and wanting him to stay close for the night. He nodded, and he laid down with me at least for an hour until I fell back asleep and got a little more rest.

Chapter 12: Training

When I woke up, Rauul brought me breakfast in bed and suggested we go for a walk today. Nothing unusual from most mornings since we arrived in Catania, except when we left the house we went toward the inland of the island instead of toward the coast. Rauul brought me to a unique dojo in the hills of the Sicilian island. He spoke to the instructor in semi hushed tones right in front of me. I watched the instructor nod and call me forward. I started walking toward him and he began to attack, I immediately defended myself and even threw him to the floor without his assistance. He handed me three separate throwing items and pointed to a formed target, I threw each one landing in the heart, head, and leg. The instructor nodded again and then we walked through a doorway into a different area where I was handed a gun and asked to shoot at a moving target, which I landed all three bullets in the head and heart. Then he reloaded and pointed to a stationary target and said to injure, so I shot it in the outer leg, knee and upper arm. Looking back at the two men the look of shock was priceless. The instructor with an empty weapon tried to take me from behind while I was putting my gun down, I was able to duck and block the grab.

We spent the entire day at the dojo working with the instructor on what I know and what I need to change or work on, to effectively defend myself or get out of restraints. We ran through a few new ways to hide or discreetly hold a knife while moving or even while in a stationary and watched position. Not really what I wanted for training, but it will suffice for today. On our walk home, we stopped in a small cafe for dinner, they have the best catalone around and their fettuccine is amazing. The fettuccine alfredo is so creamy and fresh not like the American canned version that everyone is so used to. We made it home and I headed straight for the tub to clean up, I did notice that Rauul did not follow immediately. I did not notice anything out of place or anyone standing in the living room as I passed by, so I got in the tub and cleaned up.

Entering the bedroom to get dressed I can hear some hushed tones coming from the living room but I decided to ignore until I get dressed. I closed the door to the bedroom and went to the wardrobe to pick out something to wear. I pulled out a blue bra, a blue and green shirt/dress with low cut front and a pair of leggings. As I finished getting dressed, I placed a knife in my bra and one in the special holder in the back of my bra. I could hear louder talking from the living room coming through the door now, so I opened it just slightly to hear better.

Hearing footsteps coming I didn’t close the door, but I stepped behind it so that it would hide me when it opened. I remained silent when the door did open, luckily there is a cabinet right next to the door, so it allows for the small empty corner to stand in. Whispers, “She is supposed to be in here, find her.” Then I heard the two of them start to search the room and the bathroom. One of the guys came over to the cabinet, he opened the door to look inside then moved the door to the room revealing where I am.

“Come Señora, we want to talk with you. Please come with us.” since he asked nicely and did not try to grab me I agreed to go with them. We left the bedroom and headed for the living room, arriving to find none other than Señor Rodriguez himself in our home. I maintained my composure but also kept my distance remaining near the hallway instead of sitting on the couch or near him at the fireplace.

“Please come sit Señora, we need to have a discussion you, me and Rauul. It is rude to stand during a business meeting when everyone else is seated.” he said and then sat down himself near the fireplace. Rauul was sitting on the couch with one of the goons very close to him, I noticed the gun pointed at him though the goon was trying to hide it. The two behind me stepped closer and I sidestepped them.

“It’s also not polite to get in someone’s personal space without an invitation. I will sit but they need to keep their distance.” I said plainly. I stepped closer and sat next to Rauul, the two goons stepped forward to stand behind us.

“Now this is much nicer for a business meeting isn’t it? I am very disappointed with your actions Rauul and Señora. I offered you protection and a place to stay in my home and you leave not only the area, but the continent as well. What am I supposed to think about your actions? Rauul you had a very unprofessional conversation with me the other day and I am hurt by your words. I thought we had a better relationship than that, how can you refuse an offer that I make to you?” his attitude is starting to upset me. I am watching his words, seeing his behavior and all I keep thinking is this is going to end badly.

I noticed the angle of the gun near Rauul, the goon is holding it at an odd angle, so if he leans back assuming the guy fires it, it should miss him. The two standing behind me do not seem to have guns probably to make dealing with me easier and safer for them. I do not know what all Rauul has told Rodriguez or what has been disclosed that should be private, so I have to trust that he would not betray me after everything.

“Señor Rodriguez, our leaving the area was nothing to do with business or our business relationship with you, Señora Mendoza’s work has brought her and us to this area as she specializes in studies and information related to the ancient tombs of Egypt. Our decision to move was made to benefit her as well as us by expanding my reach to resources and personnel now available in the European sectors. As to our conversation the other day, no Amalia is not leaving my side. If she needs to go somewhere for work I will go with her, but I am not and will not send her to you in Brazil, especially alone.” Rauul was starting to become angry again and I understood but I placed a hand on his to persuade him to calm. The look he saw in my eyes told him to calm and that I am determined to solve this issue now.

“If I am not out of place speaking at this moment. What is the important business that is so urgent for you to need to fly out here and intrude on our home uninvited? I am not meaning to offend but it must be extremely urgent for you to fly out here last minute.” though I know the risk of speaking out of turn to a man who thinks he is a god obviously, and being fairly insulting while doing so but I am sick of the lies, hidden agendas and bullshit.

“My dear Señora it is urgent, you are the topic at hand actually. I made the request of Rauul to let me borrow you for a bit or to give you to me. He has so far refused which upsets me greatly. Now that you are aware of my request let’s strike a bargain shall we. I will pay Rauul a large sum for you to come stay with me for a while, what do you say?” he sounded very condescending and overly confident.

I started to stand up, which the goons behind me started to reach out and stop me but Rodriguez shook his head and they withdrew their hands. I stood up and stepped closer to Señor, I got close enough to kneel at his feet with my hands on the floor near my feet. “What would you have me to do if you were to ‘borrow’ me?” I asked carefully removing the knife from the bottom of my left shoe, which is not within sight of the goons.

“You would be my personal assistant as you are for Rauul, you would attend to any of my needs from scheduling, handling small issues without involving me, and even any personal needs. You would be a good little slave as you should be.” He made his tone clear how he felt I should be treated and acting, I could tell he was pleased with my kneeling at his feet when I came over. He then reached out and in one quick motion ripped my shirt off, exposing the brand on my shoulder. “That was placed there for your protection from all other thugs or low-lifes but also as a sign that you belong to me regardless of what anyone else says. Now come here and give me a kiss slave.” He leaned forward slightly waiting for me to obey.

Obey I did, I leaned up and just as I was about to lay a kiss on him, I brought my hand up to slit his throat. He caught my hand, but he didn’t expect for me to have a knife both hands, so my right hand came up with the knife from my bra and stabbed him in the jugular. As he went to swat at me and pull that knife out, I pulled the knife out for him. Moving back to watch him fall to the floor bleeding and trying to put pressure on his own neck. The goons were still in shock by my quick actions, the one by Rauul didn’t have time to fire his weapon before Rauul removed the gun from his hand and then stood up quickly to have them all at gunpoint. My actions may not have been the best in the long run, that will be yet to see, however it was the best course of action for this moment that I could see.

“Go clean up while I deal with these guys.” I obeyed without hesitation as I am in shock in way. I did what I felt needed to be done to stop the threats and having to keep running. I went to the bathroom and cleaned up, changed my clothes and then went back out to the living room. When I came back out, Rauul met me in the hallway and did not let me into the living room. “A cleanup crew is on the way my dear, it is all over now. (he paused to breath) We can go home to Brazil if you want now that he is no longer a threat. You just let me know what you want.” he said pulling me close and holding me tight. I couldn’t tell if it was for his or by benefit to hold me as long as he did, but I didn’t argue.

“I can tell you I want to stay but I can see it in your face you want to return to Brazil, it is your home. I also know that is where your business really is. I also know that with Rodriguez out of the way you will be the new Big Boss in Brazil if you take the initiative. I am your captive wife, I do not control you or what you want to do. You have granted me many graces, blessings, and options that I know you don’t have to. I thank you for making me your wife and giving me everything you have. If you are wanting to go back to Brazil I will go with you everywhere. Should I get the opportunity to work at one of the tombs, then perhaps you will grant me the ability to go or go with me while I am there but until then I will go with you as is my duty.” I spoke quickly as I knew he would try to cut me off. Any more he doesn’t like me referring to myself as his captive, slave or prisoner. I am his wife and that is all I am as far as he is concerned.

“I just want to beat your ass right now, you make me so frustrated at times. I know what you mean, and I understand, but I am asking your honest opinion right now. Do you want to stay here or go back to Brazil?” his face was a bit red and he did move so he could SMACK my ass good and hard for the trouble.

I smiled and jumped at the smack to my ass, “I want to be where we are both comfortable. I did like the houses in Brazil better, they were larger and the secret rooms in case of unwanted guests was nice. With the recent events will it be safe for us to return to Brazil?”

“Yes Ninita, we are safe in Brazil. Now that Rodriguez is gone, I am now the most powerful Boss in Brazil, so I will be able to keep things in check. We will pick up his business plus ours.” he told me pulling me close to reassure me.

“Then let’s go home Papi.” I let him hold me for a little bit, then I went and sat on the bed waiting for the cleanup crew to get here so we could leave. I gathered my laptop and papers and packed my suitcase including all my new dresses. When the cleanup crew brought me a small bag of items, I was confused until I looked into the clear bag to see that it was Rodriguez’s rings, phone and ring seal.

Rauul came over a few minutes later, “I thought you should have those, as he gave you so much trouble. You now own his contacts, seal which is very influential, and his rings – his show of wealth. He liked a personal touch with his actions, so when we get back we are going to call a meeting of all his biggest contacts and announce the takeover. The difference is we are honorable and will run things as business people not street people. It will return better profits and less headaches. The low levels will have to step up their game or move out.” With that pep talk we left the villa, I did request that we keep the villa in case we want to come back or get away for a little while, he agreed.

Chapter 13: Undercover

…4 months later…

The takeover went so smooth I have had a difficult time relaxing, but I can understand since several of the top dogs explained they were waiting for someone to take Rodriguez out but were too scared to do it themselves. Rauul treats the crew right especially when they are working things in a positive manner. He has put a few guys down, but they were troublemakers and tried to attack us when they were told to straighten up their shit up or get out of Brazil. On the whole everyone respects Rauul and me because he is fair, and some have found out I am the one who stood up to Rodriguez.

I have finally accepted that I am the wife of Rauul and that he does really love me. Yes, we still have nights that he takes a super dominate role and treats me like his sex toy or little slave, but it doesn’t take it too far and in that I enjoy it also. At this point I have a trip set up for Egypt in the harvest season (about 8 months from now), I can’t wait to experience the celebrations of the old harvest and explore a few tombs, temples, and areas that are usually off limits. I run the Brazil Museum of Ancient Civilizations, on top of helping Rauul. He has also brought in specialists in military, sniper trainers, blades experts, and skilled assassins to teach me, more for my own amusement at this time but skills that can come in handy. I don’t take professional jobs or even local jobs, the information I have learned stays with me just in case another danger arrives if it comes to it I can keep myself and my family safe.

…one night while at the museum looking over proposals for a new exhibit, a familiar face appeared. “I hear you are the head of the museum, the co-leader of the cartel and the wife of the allusive Rauul. If all that is true, you are in a very dangerous position. You are harboring an international fugitive. Which means I should be taking you in for questioning.” it was the undercover from months ago, he decided to drop in and pay me a visit.

“I am the head of Muncab – National Museum of Afro Brazilian Culture, and I am Rauul’s wife, not by choice and not so sure about the international fugitive part. He is not a wanted man here in Brazil, Mexico, Germany or Italy so that would mean he is not an international fugitive. As for me being in a dangerous position, yes being anywhere near him is not the exactly a safe zone. I do thank you for trying to help before, it would have been extremely dangerous for me to have left then but I do appreciate that you cared enough to try.” I stated all the facts and gathered my things to leave. As I started to walk to the door, agent uc stepped up next to me and stopped me just before I touched the door. “I wouldn’t recommend getting too close.”

“You are coming with me, there are a dozen secret agents waiting on the other side of this door and if you try to leave they will stop you. If you come with me I will take you to Rauul so that I can speak with him alone. The team is supposed to bring him in for crimes in or against the U.S., if I can get in to speak to him maybe we can avoid the entire ordeal. I am looking for information about someone he knows or used to know and if he will help me I can help you both avoid the US circus of red tape. Yes, I know I am US undercover, but I have seen what he and you have done in Brazil to clean things up and if you are right about him then it will be best for you to stay in place and help down here.” he was sincere which partially surprised me. I stepped back and opened my phone, I pulled up Rauul’s number and dialed keeping my distance from him.

“Papi, I need to escort a friend to the office for a meeting, do you have an opening in the schedule?” I was giving him a heads up but also letting him know to stay on guard if needed for a quick getaway. Rauul answered and I hung up the call. “Ok, he will speak to you. Can you leave the cheerleaders behind or do we have to give them the slip?” I asked Agent UC.

“I can get them to go back to base camp if it looks like you are going to go with me to talk.” he replied.

“As long as you are true to or word I have no problem to go with you to talk, if you are not true to your word we will have problems and you won’t like them, as he is now expecting me to arrive shortly.” I didn’t want to let him know the biggest danger would be coming from me. He took me by the elbow and we started walking for the door. He opened the door and he was right there are about a dozen fully geared agents with guns trained on me waiting.

“Seriously guys, we are not dealing with a hostile here. Put the guns down before you scare our witness into not talking to me.” one of the agents came up and whispered something about me being part of the cartel not a victim to him. “She is most definitely the victim he has kept her under lock and key for almost a year now, she might be getting to finally leave his house without chains, but I guarantee she is being watched and monitored at all times. Which means I must be careful getting her out of here or we will have a full swarm of goons on us trying to get her out. I know he will not let her go anywhere that he doesn’t approve and that would not be with us. I am going to go talk with her and you guys are going to head back to base so that we do not cause a massive gun fight over this young woman, understood?” The other guy nodded and they all left.

We walked out to the parking garage and he opened the door of his car for me. I sat down and waited for him to get in, “The office is just about three blocks over. Go down Ave. Baltazar to Ave. Jose Joaquim Seabra.” he drove according to my directions, “the parking garage is on your right, just park on the second level.” Once parked I waited for him to open my door so that he knew I am not running. He started to take my arm again, “I would advise not touching me while we are here, he gets very upset about that.” With that comment he let my arm go but stayed very close to me to make sure I wasn’t running off and no one could just grab me. We entered the building through the main entrance and walked down the hall to the elevators. We took the elevator up to floor 5 and I walked just slightly in front of him to Rauul’s office. The receptionist saw me coming and opened the door for us.

“Please forgive the last-minute notice for this meeting, but it is regarding an urgent matter Señor.” I was playing it up a bit and Rauul could see that, but he also remembered who this guy is and understood.

“Please have a seat,” he motioned toward the chairs for Agent UC and nodded toward the couch for me, again playing along with me. I started to walk toward the couch but paused when the agent spoke.

“I would prefer if the Señora sits with us, if you don’t mind Señor Rauul.” he requested, obviously trying to keep me close for official reasons. I looked at Rauul, he nodded that it is acceptable. I sat in the other chair opposite of Rauul and next to Agent UC. “Thank you Señor. Now, the reason I am here is our people received information that you have expanded your reach and control down here and you still have a U.S. missing person in your company. I know Señor Rodriguez disappeared and is rumored dead according to sources. Those same sources say you are responsible for that. I’m not one to judge, I believe that you have done a great job cleaning up the area since his disappearance and you have been keeping the thugs in check which is also good. What we do have an issue with is the US still considers you a wanted fugitive for the item you retrieved from Señora’s home and for kidnapping her and taking her out of the country.” He laid it all out there for Rauul. “I am willing to cause a change of direction with the team regarding your actions if you can give me something to go on. I need information that will allow me to clear your name or send me off on something bigger and more dangerous than you.”

“My wife was not taken against her will, she willing agreed to come with me. She is my wife now and all the proper paperwork was submitted so there is nothing you can do. You want me to give you something to let the rest of your team leave me be, how will that benefit you? You see I have been around long enough to know that when a US agent offers to leave you alone there is a catch so other than giving you something juicy to chase what is in it for you?” he asked. Any officer of the law willing to overlook something, make things go away, etc. have a hidden motive that is beneficial to them for doing so.

“I Señor, will have a new case that will gain me the promotion I missed with the failed raid on your estate and or the ability to finish my career on a positive note and go to a career with less travel and danger so that I can spend more time with my family to be honest. If what you give me is good enough I will make sure your name is cleared with the US so that you can travel back and forth without hiding and we won’t keep knocking down your door. I know Señora would appreciate that, she is a lovely lady and I hope you both understand my only intention before was to get her safely back to the US as is my job.” He must really be tired of this job to offer that much personal information and want our help.

Señor thought about things for a bit, considered the possibilities presented and I saw the look in his eyes he had thought of something good to give the Agent. “The item retrieved from Amalia home was taken from me and is now in the possession of Rodriguez’s primary arms dealer. He is holding an auction on Friday to sell it to the highest bidder, he invited me as a means of insult I can notify him that I am sending someone on my behalf and you can go in my place and take him down along with anyone else who may show up. Will that suffice to clear my name and aid you in your means of peace? Not to tell you how to do your job but go in as my representative and then have your team crash the party under information received from someone else that way they do not tie you to me and the task force, the players at that auction are the type to hunt you down if you cross them and we don’t want to endanger you in the process. Can you handle that?” Rauul was really throwing him a bone, I had heard about the auction but that’s all.

Agent UC thought about the situation for a few, “I can make it work, your name will not be brought up other than as my invite. I will be arrested like the rest and we will pin the leak on one of the others especially if it comes that we have contact with any of them. My face will stay out of the interrogations so that I am not involved with the task force. If anyone does see me I will be acting as though it’s my ass for getting caught but only the seller will know I was sent by you. I can cover my ass, I will let you know when it is done and when you are cleared for the US again. How can I contact you?”

“Amalia, give the man your phone number. Send any calls or messages through her, that way you are not directly tied to me. You can say you are just checking up on her to ensure things with her are ok.” Rauul told him.

I wrote down my number on the back of one of my museum business cards, that way it be museum related not Rauul related. Rauul sent the message to the arms dealer and then gave the details to Agent UC so that he can get his name cleared from US most wanted list.

Chapter 14: New Fight

…a week later I get a call from Agent UC, they ambushed the auction and caught fifteen of the most wanted arms dealers in the world and recovered the item that started this whole mess. The agent is now Commander and has cleared Rauul’s name to be free and clear, no longer under wanted status, paperwork emailed and hard copies in the mail.

…One of Rodriguez’s goons passed by me one day at the museum and roughly pulled me aside. “You were the last one to see the boss, what happened to him?”

“The same thing that will happen to you if you don’t let me go now.” I replied and tried to pull away from his grip. His grip was stronger than I expected, and he held on tight. I have to think quickly to keep this from turning ugly. He pulled me in closer and pulled a gun from his waist to intimidate me. I decided to play along for a moment, so that I could get him away from the public. “Let’s go to my office or step out back to talk in private, hmmm?” “We will go out back and you will talk.” uggh he sounds like cavemen not real man. Had to silently laugh to myself on that one. He half pushed, half drug me outside to the loading docks to talk. Once there before he could get his feet under him, I spun under his arm which released his grip from my arm and then took the gun from him by spinning it around toward him for a moment before I pulled it away. With the gun now aimed at him it is my turn to ask the questions.

“Who are you to try and bully me about your boss? Yes, I saw him months ago but what difference does it make to you?” I asked fairly pissed.

“I was told to bring you to an interested person for details as to why you are carrying his ring and why no one has heard from or seen him in months. Your husband called a meeting with all the men who worked for Rodriguez, but a small group was left out of that meeting and we’re pissed. The word on the street is that he is dead and you and Rauul took over everything. If that is the case, then you are in for some trouble Señora. Not everyone likes the way Rauul does business it isn’t profitable for the street level groups that ran for Señor Rodriguez.” With that he nodded his head and though I was aware of the area when we came out, some of his coworkers had snuck in behind me and went to grab me. I ducked, spun around, and kicked one of them in the hip throwing them off balance then used the butt of the gun to knock them out with a blow to the back of the neck. The second one did grab me but I headbutted him, then brought my leg up behind me kicking him in the balls, to which he let go and I pistol whipped him to knock him out. Then big one that had brought me out here started storming my way and I turned around just in time for my knife that I pulled from my belt to catch him at this throat and stop him in his tracks with a small trickle of blood dripping down his neck.

“You can go back to the interested person and let them know if they want to discuss terms of the new arrangements and possible business opportunities, they need to make an appointment with Rauul and me. And advise them next time they send someone after me they will be sent back in a body bag or in pieces, am I clear?” I tried to be as clear as I could with what will happen if they come after me again.

“Yes, you are very clear Señora Mendoza.”

“Good, I am going back to work, wake up your men or wait for them to wake up and get off museum property before I call the police for trespassing.”

I ejected the bullet clip and dropped the gun as I turned and walked off. I heard him trying to wake up the other two as I left, he didn’t even go for the weapon. Smart on his part. I finished my shift and stopped at the office to see if Rauul was still working, as he usually is. Yes, he is still at the office, I take the back way up and pause at the door because I can hear him discussing something with a client and I do not want to come in unannounced. I waited in the back room until I heard him escort the client out, then I entered and sat on the couch. When he returned he frowned at me seeing the bruise on my arm.

“A big goon jumped me at the museum and half drug me outside to discuss Rodriguez. There seems to be a gathering or group of the street dogs that are not happy they were not included in the big meeting when we returned. They are wanting a piece of things like Rodriguez had them set up. I knocked out two of his friends and left him with a pin prick of a mark in his neck with the instruction to set up a meeting with both of us to discuss options. I don’t foresee any options with the new structure, but it got them off my back for the moment. He was intent on taking me to their leader for a talk, and it probably would not have been a nice talk.” I explained. The fact that there are still loyal followers of Rodriguez out there mean that we would still be watching our backs. Which is why he brought in the assassin trainers to make sure I can take care of myself if need be. This incident also means that I will be taking a short leave from the museum and Rauul will be giving me body guards again, Oh well, it should only be temporary.

“You know they will not be happy with what we are going to offer. It will likely end in another bloody event.” he was very sour about it. Things had been running very smoothly recently and most of the street gangs had quieted down or been taken out by the police departments with our anonymous tips.

“Yes, it could get messy but it is better to try and deal with it in a civil and business-like way than for them to try to kidnap me and there be a massacre, because you know I will not allow them to take me. It would end in a bigger mess.” I stated, though he knows how I feel about anyone else trying to force me to do anything or trying to beat me into submission.

“That is true my dear. Did he say who the leader is?” he asked.

“No, he just said that he was sent to retrieve me by an interested person that wanted answers, and that they were from the street level goons of Rodriguez’s. Except the big one the other two were little punks that didn’t take much to drop. The big one had a decent grip on me as you can see but I was able to take his gun and leave a small line of blood across his neck. I didn’t kill any of them.” I said as if I have behaved badly.

One of the receptionists called back to say that a meeting was scheduled for this evening and both of our presence is requested. When asked who is the meeting with, she replied a Señor Rodriguez…. We both looked at each other, either he had a kid who wants revenge, or they are just using his name. Guess we shall soon see.

Rauul ordered dinner in as we sat waiting for the mystery Señor Rodriguez to arrive. Dinner arrived but was placed on hold since our meeting also arrived early. The receptionist showed the group in at our request. To our surprise a group of ten large sized guys come in along with the nurse from Rodriguez’s house at their head.

“Señora Manuel, welcome. How can we help you today?” Rauul said with an uncomfortable smile.

“Señor and Señora Mendoza, we are here to discuss why the low-level groups were not included in your meeting and why we have all but been cut out of the area altogether. What happened to Señor Rodriguez? I have heard rumor of his passing and his absence does prove to verify that rumor.” The woman was clear and to the point.

“Señor Rodriguez did not fare well in the Sicilian sun, he insulted the wrong person over there and it ended him. He should have been more careful with his words and entering places he is not familiar.” Rauul responded.

“Don’t give me the bullshit, I see she wears his ring. She must have had a hand in his death and I demand she pay for it. I will guarantee she will pay for that.” She was adamant about wanting my head…. great this will be messy and here which is even worse.

With that threat I stood up and took a step toward Rauul, her men moved a little bit toward me. Not good for them, I can drop her before they can blink, and I am about to that moment. I can only imagine the torture she can create with her knowledge. I moved my hands only ever so slightly to drop a knife from my belt to my hand without anyone seeing it.

“I paid the first time I met him, that was enough for me.” I said coldly.

She stood up and pulled out a gun to aim at me. I placed my hands together and bowed to her as I did I threw one of my slender knives landing it perfectly in her throat. She did not try to remove it she just sat down and waved for the men to do their job. All ten suddenly rushed at me and Rauul, he pulled his gun and started silencing them. I pulled my sword and started removing heads or arms. One by one all ten fell until she was the only one still breathing and only because she hadn’t yet removed the knife. I walked over to her and removed the knife for her. I entered the bathroom after that to go cleanup and Rauul followed, we both washed up and changed clothes, then he called the cleanup crew again. He gave the receptionists the evening off and once the clean up crew arrived, we left.

…Things have now been quite for a couple weeks and I am sitting at home alone again, while Rauul is working late. For my safety he has me under “house arrest” unless he is with me, with a dozen of his best men guarding the house and keeping an eye on me. He said once things have completely quieted down I can return to work, until then I work from home or take a vacation. …

This last year has been one hell of a trip, not sure that I would do it all again but at this point I am just glad to make the best of it and be happy with what I have.

…to be continued…