The Boss Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 3) Victoria Paige (top 100 novels of all time TXT) 📖

face when I asked you before. Why would you lie if you didn’t condone it?”

“I didn’t believe the virus actually existed,” she said, voice feeble.

Charly took that moment to come to the room. “Her blood pressure is spiking. Try not to agitate her too much.”

Antonio clenched his jaw. “Let me get this straight. You allowed fake laboratory entries into our databases so it would point to our company, but you didn’t know when Claudette asked you for help that Pierre would be swapping the XZite?”

“Yes.”

“He was in league with Lev Skoryk?”

“If that’s the person who killed our courier in Paris, then yes.”

“Who killed Pierre?”

When Renata looked away, Antonio made a disgusted sound and made to get up again.

“It was Sousa,” she whispered.

“How is Sousa involved in all this?”

Silence.

“Renata? I have a flight scheduled to leave in less than two hours. We don’t have all the time in the world. Give me some closure on this, Renata. I already lost Luis. Don’t make me lose you too.”

At his words, his friend started sobbing. “Pierre and Sousa had a little side gig with XZite. Sousa has a sister and he’s extra protective of her. What Sousa didn’t know was that Pierre was fucking his sister and giving her XZite.”

“You were jealous?”

“We were nothing, Antonio. You know how to scratch an itch and so do I.”

“But why would you tell Sousa about his sister and Pierre if it wasn’t because you were jealous?”

Despite how Ebola seemed to have taken a toll on her, her eyes flashed. “I didn’t care who he fucked. But I found out he was in league with some Ukrainians who put pressure on the PNO to do nothing when you were racing across Mexico for your life. I. Lost. It.”

Antonio sat back in his chair, surprised at how twisted everything had become. What had Renata done?

“He promised the PNO that he had me wrapped around his finger and that disposing of you would put me in command. He assured them a continued supply of XZite. I was already pissed at him that he was responsible for the virus pearls and that he gaslighted me, convinced me that I was part of it,” Renata fumed. “I wasn’t. You have to believe me.”

Antonio pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why did you agree in the first place?”

“I was pissed at you. I didn’t like how transfixed you were on Ariana. It all spiraled from there and I let Pierre manipulate me into thinking that she was somehow going to transform you into a Boy Scout and you’d lose your edge in business.” Renata stared straight at him, eyes pleading. “I would never purposely hurt you, Antonio.” .

Truth.

He let out a heavy breath. “I believe you.” He ground his molars, thinking of what to do next. Renata’s pride and puppeteering had done this to her. He wasn’t excusing her actions, but having to live in their dysfunctional family unit with Luis for guidance had given them all a cutthroat edge. That was the only way they’d known to survive.

He was seeing Martinez’s point now. Thank God for Charly.

“I’m going to relay to Martinez what you told me. I don’t think you’ll be held liable for Pierre’s death, but I hope you stop being a manipulative bitch. Got it?”

“I’ve learned my lesson,” she whispered.

“This thing with Luis would have happened no matter what. Someone used Pierre. And Pierre used you.”

Her eyes hardened. “I hope you find the bastards who did this and make them pay.”

“Count on it.”

27

Rio de Janeiro

Three days later

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust …

The words of the priest this morning echoed over and over in Antonio’s head. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that his dear friend was gone. As the first shovelful of dirt fell over Luis’ casket, Antonio said a little prayer and bade his friend goodbye.

Now he stood beside the marble pillar of Villa Rosa’s ballroom and observed the people who came to the luncheon after the funeral. He told Oscar to put all his men on alert because this was a dicey crowd. Most of the board members and the top management of Andrade Industries had made an appearance, but many made their departures early. It was no secret that Luis was murdered and speculations in the press pointed to a mob hit. A nervous, if not titillating air, hung over the funeral crowd as though people were expecting an ambush.

But Antonio knew better. There would be hell to pay if any of his guests were hurt, because the majority of them were affiliated with criminal organizations around the world. Most of them knew Luis and wanted to pay their respects. Then there were some like Francisco Neto.

He was one half of the leadership of the Ponce-Neto Organization, and Antonio made it clear that he wanted to talk to him on his turf. The man in question weaved through the crowd. All eyes were watching and, yet, people pretended to be oblivious. For three days Antonio waited for information regarding Olga Skoryk’s brother. Either the Americans were stonewalling him, or they were hiding something.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t there to pressure Ms. Powell and Bristow to work on it harder. No, he had other ways to gain information and he was willing to pay a steep price.

Neto stopped in front of him. “Antonio, so sorry for your loss.”

He nodded.

“You said you have a business proposition?” Neto continued.

“I like that you get straight to the point.” Antonio was the same, but that was where their similarities ended. Neto had a few legitimate businesses, but most of his money came from drugs and money laundering. After what Renata had relayed, severing ties with the PNO was more imperative than ever. He couldn’t trust them, but they were the only hope for him to find the information he needed.

“Shall we step outside?” Antonio looked around and noticed some of Neto’s men shadowing them. There was no checking of weapons. Everyone was on good faith to behave themselves.