The Relic Runner Origin Story Box Set Ernest Dempsey (top 10 books of all time txt) 📖

Luis said and pressed the red button on his phone to end the call.

"Who was that?"

"One of our men on the Pacific coast."

"You mean one of my men." Mendoza offered the correction as he shook his weapon threateningly.

"Yes," Luis agreed. "One of your men." He was unshaken by the sight of the gun. Having stared down the barrel of men every bit as nasty as Mendoza, Luis felt almost accustomed to the gesture.

"What happened?"

Luis exhaled in irritation. "You told me to pick two locations. I did. They are the two that best fit all of our needs, and both are medical supply companies. I've done my best to keep you in the loop for all of this."

"Do you think me a fool, Luis?" Mendoza growled.

"No. If I did, I wouldn't be working for you. Do you think me a fool?"

The boss tightened the muscles in his face, clenching his jaw at the absurd question.

"Only a fool would hire one, Gio," Luis said calmly. "And you're no fool."

He saw the man's face relax. It wasn't much, but Luis knew his point was made.

"Tell me what happened," Mendoza rumbled.

"Only a small group of people knew about our plan," Luis offered. "So, if you think someone in your organization had something to do with it, you'd be right. Except that we have been extremely careful about all of this. Everything was planned out in fine detail."

"Perhaps the details weren't fine enough, no?"

Luis tightened his jaw, doing his best not to be insulted. He wanted to tell the man that if there were any leaks; they were with the men he'd hired, the ones that Mendoza had brought on. Insulting the cartel leader's vetting skills, however, would prove unproductive and dangerous.

"I don't think anyone in the organization did this," Luis stated. He said it with a confidence that hinted at a greater conspiracy.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

The two guards behind Mendoza waited patiently. They were both armed, but hadn't drawn their weapons. Mendoza lowered his, probably not because he was willing to let go of his outrage, but due to his arm growing tired from being extended for so long.

"Someone figured out our plan," Luis said. "I don't know how, but they did. Maybe they noticed how we were expanding and told the Guerreros."

Mendoza rubbed his left temple as if the action would somehow massage the stress from his mind.

"Why would they be interested in those ports, Luis? Huh?" He wagged the gun at his hip. "They don't have the infrastructure. And we control the routes they would need to use."

"Which is all the more reason why I believe this came from outside. I just don't know who yet."

"Americans? The Mexican government won't touch us right now."

"No, I don't think it was the Americans," Luis hedged, "though we have to be open to that possibility."

Something about this reeked, and he couldn't put his finger on it. Luis wanted to tell his boss to just outbid the Guerreros, but they'd offered such an insane amount of money, there was no way Mendoza would go for it. As extravagant as he was with his home and lifestyle, he proved to be extremely frugal when acquiring assets that could benefit his business.

Luis had been surprised to find out how much the Guerreros offered for the properties. It was more than he thought they had on hand, and they'd used no subterfuge to lower the values.

When Mendoza's men arrived on site, they immediately withdrew, recognizing dozens of Guerreros guarding the gates into the ports.

Luis had only sent a handful to both locations, so they were right to retreat. Now, however, their plan was crumbling. Another option, however, popped into his head. It was a strategy he'd used before when with the military.

"The Guerreros are over committed," he blurted.

"What?" Mendoza asked, eyebrows furrowing.

"They sent too many men to the coast," Luis explained. "They're weak in their own compound." He could feel the adrenaline of excitement pumping through his veins. "This could present an excellent opportunity for us, Gio."

"How so?"

"Carlito sent many of his men out to handle the deals. With them gone, we could overrun their compound and eliminate the Guerreros in one swift strike. With Carlito dead, we will be free to pursue our plan, and we will be unrivaled in the entire region."

"What are you saying?" Mendoza's eyelids closed to slits.

"You know what I'm saying."

"You think we should attack them." It wasn't a question.

"Now is the time to strike. I realize this isn't typically how things play out here. No one goes after the other guy in his own house." Luis inclined his head. "Maybe it's time to change the rules."

Mendoza considered the proposal, rubbing his chin as he often did when contemplating something serious. And as a cartel boss, almost everything was serious.

"How quickly can you put the plan together?"

"It's already done."

If Mendoza was surprised, he hid it under a stoic mask. "Good. Tell Marco to lead the men."

Luis puzzled at the order. "You don't want me to go with them?"

"I need you here," he said.

He turned abruptly and stalked back into the mansion, leaving Luis with a bag full of questions.

One answer glared at him, and he realized it was probably correct. If his plan failed, Mendoza would have him executed.

His thoughts wandered to his family again, the parents he wanted desperately to protect. As long as Mendoza was alive, they would never be safe. Perhaps, he thought, that was the solution to it all.

Thirteen

Uruapan

Dak held the binoculars against his face, watching the flurry of activity from his perch in the tree across the street.

Twenty vehicles had converged on the circular driveway in front of the mansion. All around the Mendoza compound, men rushed to SUVs, checking their weapons, and storing more in the rear compartments. When the trucks were loaded with their cargo, the men climbed in and took off. The convoy snaked its way down the long, winding driveway, through the front gate, and out onto the road.

The roar of the engines reached