Rely on Me - Elizabeth Knox Page 0,41
the sweeter the kiss
~ The Love Bits
Mammoth
“You’re sure about this?” I question Ion as we walk into the lobby of a prestigious building. He’s told me Epifano has a condo on the top floor here, overlooking Central Park.
“If I wasn’t, we wouldn’t be here. Epifano may be notorious, relentless even . . . but he is not cruel for no reason. If what I assume is correct, his son will have hell to pay.”
Ion and I enter the elevator and I allow the doors to close before I inquire further. “His son?”
Ion chuckles. “You do realize Epifano and Marco are Cuban. Marco is Epifano’s eldest son, the one destined to inherit the Marielitos when he passes. I hate to say this, but in Epifano’s mind . . . his children cannot be gay. He simply wouldn’t allow it.” For fuck’s sake. People can love who they love. It doesn’t fucking matter.
I roll my eyes at Ion’s statement, finding it asinine. He smirks. “I know. He’s a crude bastard. Just goes to show you how some countries progress more than others.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” I mutter, watching the number above the elevator doors go up until we’re on the thirty-eighth floor. The elevator doors open and we walk into what looks like a foyer area. Two armed guards stand at the door, approaching Ion and I to pat us down. Ion seems quite relaxed, familiar with this routine, but it doesn’t mean I am.
They scan metal detectors over us and they beep when they go over our guns, so we hand them over. “I expect to get that back when we leave,” I snarl to the goon who took it.
“Relax, we will. Come now. We have much to discuss with Epifano.” Ion tells me, heading toward the door that goes into the apartment.
As he opens it, I follow and we walk into an enormous living area. Hell, to live in the lap of luxury like this. It must be nice to have so much blood money. “Ion, it’s been too long.” Epifano greets him with a jovial tone, until his eyes land on me. “Who is your friend here?”
“This is Mammoth. I’ve brought him along because he’s having a bit of an issue. One that needs to be rectified immediately, my friend . . . or I’m afraid the alliance we have may not hold much longer.” Shit. I don’t know what to think, other than the fact I just heard Ion subtly declare war on the Cuban Cartel unless Epifano does as he wants.
“Threats, my friend. Really?” Epifano cackles, waving his hand over. “Come, we must drink and smoke. If this is so dire, I will need it.”
Ion walks over to the cart where Epifano pours him a glass of what appears to be whiskey, and then offers one to me. “I’m fine, thank you.”
Epifano narrows his eyes on me. “To deny one of the best whiskeys in the world . . . what a man, and how rude.”
“He’ll take a drink.” Ion tells him.
“Perfect.” Epifano hands me a glass and I take it. Though, I notice how Ion doesn’t drink any until Epifano takes a sip. We all head toward his white leather couch and sit across from the other. He opens a box of cigars and we light them. “See my friends, this is how all meetings should go. Having drinks and smoking cigars.”
“If only life could be so relaxing,” Ion starts off.
“Ah, yes. You remind me of the turmoil. What is this problem you are having, Mammoth?”
I clear my throat, knowing I need to be respectful as fuck, but also get my point across. Taking a deep breath before I speak, I look to the older man across from me. He has gold chains hanging from around his neck, sitting back against his couch with a curious look across his face.
“The Marielitos are after my woman. Two of your guys tried to rape and kill her.”
Epifano furrows his brows. “And what of these men? Where are they now?”
“In the Baltimore harbor, where their bodies were dumped. No one touches what’s mine.” I declare, staring right into his shark like eyes.
“I did hear whispers about two of our men going AWOL. They were sent on a personal errand of mine. Now, allow me to ask you this, is your woman Taylor by any chance?”
“I’m sorry. Did you just say Taylor?” Taylor is Riva’s old friend from what I can recollect.
“Yes, a beautiful red headed woman.”
I open my mouth