The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 170 Exploit

Noah

Inside the limousine, I found Lorenzo leaning comfortably against the dark leather seats of the vehicle, toying with a crystal glass filled with scotch. I noticed his blank stare and the circular movements of his hand and quickly assumed he was deep in thought.

New

He was probably thinking of ways to negotiate a deal with Liam. For the past ten years, Salem supplied all the crystal meth distributed throughout the Central States, earning over a hundred million dollars annually. It was a business Doña Veronica Ortiz wanted to keep, but because of Cynthia’s untimely death, her control over New Salem’s drug laboratory and pharmacy was now compromised.

I watched Lorenzo take a sip of his drink. I eyed the amber liquid warily and debated whether I should warn him against ingesting anything from the minibar. Pete was the one who commissioned the limousine and it wasn’t beneath him to lace all its food and drinks

with poison.

As the limousine accelerated towards the airport’s gates, images of the Consigliere suddenly choking and gasping for air, his blood dripping down his face from the sides of his eyes, nostrils and mouth suddenly flooded my psyche. I pictured him begging me to help him, his eyes filled with confusion and fear. I imagined him grabbing my arms with his blood stained hands, his body convulsing horribly until he finally collapsed at my feet.

A shiver ran down my spine. It was a thrill imagining the old man succumbing to such a gruesome death.

If only my imagination could become a reality.

If Lorenzo were to die here and now, Veronica would be left with no choice, but to leave the comfort of her Texan home, fly to North Dakota on her world-class private jet, have her men bring Pete’s tortured body to her, and kill him using the signature Ortiz M.O., leaving two positions vacant in the aftermath.

I would never become Consigliere since that position was reserved for an Ortiz blood relative. But because I was Pete’s second in command, I would surely become Capo Ba stone, the underboss of the West North Central States.. the very rank and title I’ve been gunning

for.

If only Pete would die…

1/5

11:37 Sat, Apr 6 M

CHAPTER 170 Exploit

I would then be known as Capo B astone Nestor Villegas. I let out an annoyed sigh as the name played in my head. I detested my Spanish name. It just didn’t suit me.

But Capo Ba stone Noah Jensen, now that had a nice ring to it.

The corner of my lips curved upward in a pleased smile as I imagined myself as underboss. My word would be law and I would have control over-

“Judging by that smile on your face, I trust you’ve dealt with Pedro,” Lorenzo suddenly said, interrupting me from my thoughts. I looked out the window and noticed we had already exited the airport. I coughed to wipe the smile off my face, berating myself for allowing my thoughts to register on my face.

“Yes, I have, Consigliere,” I replied nonchalantly. “He is no longer a problem for us.”

you sure?” He asked doubtfully. I glanced

sure. He’ll do everything we tell him to do in order to win back our trust,” I assured him. “Consigliere, if I may

you

have to do is ask Doña Ortiz to give you a green light. Simply explain to her that it is in everyone’s best interest if we, uhm, do away with

complications.”

crossed my fingers, hoping he would agree with me, however,

his head.

scotch. “My concern, as of the moment, is his hostility towards me for

I am a high ranking member of this organization, it is forbidden, However, is common knowledge that just like his father, Pedro lacks

and put a

concern, Consigliere. What do you need

in his room from the outside… when I sleep. For my protection,” Lorenzo instructed. “Once I fix these problems here in North Dakota and all goes back to the way they once were, Pedro will forget I ever

you wish, Consigliere. If you want, I’ll ask some of the Colonel’s men to keep watch outside your room,” I suggested, looking out through the limousine’s window We were

11:37 Sat, Apr 6

CHAPTER 170 Exploit

along the highway behind Pete’s

glass to his lips and downed the contents of his glass, wiping

wickedly. “You just said a moment ago you don’t want to have him killed. So how are you going to deal with him?”

replied, amused. “You see, Pedro

words felt like a knife had pierced my heart. I had a sinking feeling Lorenzo was planning

abduction.

were planning to abduct Virtue? I

die on the spot, but G

willing to elaborate and clarify, but instead I was met

to know basis, Capo Nestor,” he answered, placing an emphasis on the word

place.”

and scowled. As usual,

waved his title in my face, as a constant reminder that I was bene them. As a capo, I had

there was one thing the Consigliere didn’t know. I plan to take Pete’s position. Pete

been patient. I have allowed Pete to play gangster in that little basement of his, knowing full well when his mother died, he would

distance and worked in the shadows allowing Pete to believe that I rarely meddled in his affairs. Contrary to his beliefs, I manipulated

invite to the

11:37 Sat, Apr 6

CHAPTER 170 Exploit

assumptions. They abducted her, tortured her and raped her. In the organization, everyone in the family was off-limits, unless sanctioned by Doña Ortiz, so Pete, the idiot that he was,

manner by which Cynthia met her death did not

him either. I, then, suspected Theodore since I knew firsthand that he was one slick mo therf ucker. With Cynthia out of the way, he and Liam could inherit the empire. Theodore Cohen was a well respected associate of the organization and with the right amount of flair, it was