The Joy of Revenge

Chapter 169 Ace Up My Sleeve

Noah

Pete turned to enter the car, but, stopped. I assumed Pete would do as he was told without any objections, but I was wrong.

“Wait a second,” Pete said, turning back to face me. “You?” He pointed at me. “You become underboss and I have to leave? Do you think I’m an idiot? I won’t agree to that. So, no, we

don’t have a déal.”

“I don’t think you’re in any position to negotiate, Mr. McDowell,” the Colonel reminded him while he kept his gun aimed at Pete’s heart. “So why don’t you do us all a favor and gét in

the car.”

Yet, Pete didn’t move. He stood his ground and continued to stare at me, waiting for my

response.

I noticed that the anxiousness in his eyes from earlier was now replaced with cold, unadulterated rage. I took a quick look at his gun and found the safety pointing on fire. I aimed it at his head, daring him to challenge me.

“If I were you Pete, I’d listen to the Colonel. Get in the car and don’t do anything st upid,” I warned him, the sides of my mouth curving into a malicious smile.

“You can’t kill me, Noah, and you won’t,” he scoffed, lifting his chin defiantly at me. “In case you didn’t know, I’m a valuable asset to Lorenzo So much so, he negotiated with De Vega on my behalf.” He moved his lower jaw in a circular motion, slightly wincing from the pain the movement caused. “Yes, it was painful, but it’s water under the bridge now and I am free from any and all obligations tying me to Ariana De Vega.”

To my surprise, Pete took a small step forward towards the gun in my hand. There was a proud smirk etched across his hideous face and a wicked glint in his eyes. This crazy so nofab itch was taunting me to shoot him.

“Okay, I admit, we can’t kill you without a good enough reason, but we can incapacitate you,” I said, lowering my gun. I leaned towards the Colonel and pointed at Pete’s lower extremities. “Colonel, how about if you and I take the use of his legs? Or perhaps his feet? He could stay in bed while we-”

“Woah! Hold on!” Pete interjected loudly. “Before the two of you get any ideas and shoot me

1/6

Chapter 169 Ace Up My Sleeve

may I remind you, Noah, that there’s still a small issue concerning a certain Virtue Sullivan.”

“What do you mean, Pete?” I asked, annoyed.

“If, for whatever reason, I don’t show up to collect Virtue, I gave instructions to the delivery man to slit her throat,” he answered, a small smile tugging at the ends of his lips. “Since she seems to be very important to you, I somehow sense that a lifeless Virtue won’t be of any use to you. Am I right, Noah?”

F uck! I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. Needless to say, I had to rethink my plans and come up with a new strategy. For sure, I needed to keep an eye on this vulture, clone his phone and listen in on all of his conversations.

While I took a moment to come up with a plan to keep tabs on him at all times, Pete suddenly snorted with laughter, pleased at the apparent distress he was causing. As he continued to snort away, the Colonel and I looked on with disgust. The injuries he sustained from Ariana and her men made him sound like a pig with a bad cold.

“That’s right, gentlemen. I have an ace up my sleeve,” Pete said, after he composed himself. “So get this through your thick skull, Noah… I am still your boss. You, Capo Villegas, you work for me… whether you like it or not.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest, then

shook his head, acting like a disappointed parent scolding a child. “When this is all over, I’ll make sure you’ll pay for your mistakes. Maybe a good spa nking will do the trick.”

The Colonel chuckled, impressed that Pete still had the balls to threaten me when he was

outnumbered two to one. I rolled my eyes at the Colonel, urging him not to encourage Pete

any further. The Colonel coughed and quickly composed himself.

to Doña Ortiz. Sure, you may be important to the Consigliere, but not important enough for him to disobey a direct order. For your information, Doña Ortiz instructed the

name. “As for Virtue, I doubt the delivery man knows what you look like. All I have to do is

voice. You won’t

I show up with his money, the goods will

2/6

Sat, Apr 6

169 Ace

76%

a corner. “The way I see it, you have two choices. You can

surprised to see his expression change from anger to fear at the mention

from the dead. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, she has come back to

to mock

back for retribution. But

upward into a knowing grin. “I can see you’re worried as well. What’s wrong, Noah? Are you scared your bestfriend might find out who orchestrated the whole thing?”

going to allow Pete to get into my

spoke with Doña Ortiz, I pointed out to her that there wouldn’t be a need to step aside if Joy presented herself. All Joy really needs is a good vantage point to shoot. You, my dear underboss, won’t even

my mother, do you?” He asked, his

the possibility.

the idea, Pete. I’ll use

doubted Joy was Cynthia’s killer. She couldn’t even kill a c ockro

alone a human being.

Veronica Ortiz mentioned Joy Taylor. I asked her how she came to know that name, but instead of answering my question, Doña Ortiz waved her hand

concern me,

who couldn’t hurt

Iov would

3/6

Apr 6

Ace

frightful eyes and decided it would be better if he feared a ghost

Taylor.

enough grudge, Pete,” I remarked. “If she’s back to take

intently, obviously interested in Joy. I had to move things along or I would be

the memory of her bloodied face and torn gown, but I quickly composed myself. Joy Taylor was my first… The first person I had

time for

you make yourself comfortable in the passenger’s seat while I assist this tub

nodded in understanding, lowered his gun and walked to the other side

car.

in my hand and hit Pete on the side of his head. He howled in pain and stumbled

in charge anymore, Pete. I am. This was sanctioned by Doña Ortiz herself. So get your fat as s in the f ucking car

good to you injured,” Pete replied harshly, wincing as he massaged his

take this gun and shove it into your as shole? Ariana did say you purred like a kitten when she shoved that metal rod up your butt. Tell me,

remembering how Ariana and her goons

raised his hands in the air in

follow. He gingerly entered the driver’s

the handle.

4/6

Apr

169 Ace Up