The Viper (Untamed Hearts #1)(65)

“The workers look the other way, he ships more cars. Makes more money.” Nova sat back in his chair as he considered that. “But he must have someone looking the other way already. We control some of the unions there, but not all of them. We’re not the only family in Miami. How do you know he’s not in bed with another organization? I’m not going to war to get your cousin out.”

“He’s not that connected. He slips a few workers some green, they look the other way. That’s the extent of his arrangement.”

“So it’s a start-up.” Nova spun his cap on the table, looking at it as he thought. “We go in, control the docks. He owes us a cut for ensuring his business prospers. How much money does he make now?”

“I don’t know.”

“Not very inspiring.” Nova shook his head. “Reorganizing unions takes cash and energy, Garcia. Not to mention the effort it’ll take to have your friend Angel see things my way. What makes you think it’ll be worth my while for the cut of a few hot cars a month?”

“It’s a lot more than a few cars. They’re all luxury vehicles. He still chops the cheap ones, which again could be a source of profit for you once you make an arrangement with him. They deal too. Though he’ll likely deny the drugs. It’s up to you once you get in to figure out how much of his business you can get a cut of, and I’m willing to invest my own money to help you.”

“How much?”

“I’ll pay for whatever you need to get in and start making it profitable for your organization.”

Nova tilted his head as if considering it. “You provide the starting capital. I provide the connections. We split the profits seventy/thirty my favor.”

“Why do you get seventy percent?” Tino barked at him.

“Because start-up capital is easy. Connections are much more difficult to get, and he wants me to manage the business.” Nova gave his brother a hard look. “My time is valuable, Valentino. That’s a deal I’d only make to a friend of yours. I have better things to do than muscle in on one gang in Miami. The old man is going to shit a brick when he finds out I’m using waking hours doing this. The cut has to be big enough to make it worth our while.”

“I’m willing to agree to seventy/thirty.”

“And in the negotiations with your friend Angel, I get your cousin out.”

Chuito nodded. “That’s the deal.”

“And now you control Angel,” Nova added. “But you’re indebted to us.”

“Yes.”

“This is more than just getting your cousin out. This is revenge. You want Angel by the balls,” Nova said knowingly. “What’d he ever do to you?”

“He f*cked with my family.”

“Right, never a good idea.” A smile quirked at the corner of Nova’s mouth. “I see why my brother likes you, but how do I know you’re not going to turn on my organization?”

“I don’t have very many people I consider family. I consider Tino family. I consider Jules and Wyatt family too. Romeo. Tabitha. The kids. All of them.” Chuito quirked an eyebrow at him. “I think I’ve already proven my loyalty as far as that is concerned.”

“You have,” Nova agreed, still eyeing him critically. “I have to look into the situation. Like I said, we’re not the only family in Miami.”

“You’re just the most powerful one there.”

“Mmm,” Nova agreed as he thought it over more. “We may have a deal, Garcia, but that makes you my associate. Do you understand what that means?”

“Yes, I think I do.” Chuito nodded. “My loyalty is to you first. Always.”

“I don’t like loose ends.” Nova gave him a harsh look. “The people I bring into my inner circle, the ones I go into business with, I need to know I can trust them. Do you know what omertà means?”

“I do.”

“Are you sure? You bailed on your first organization.”

“Are you planning on f*cking over my family?” Chuito countered.

“No.” Nova laughed, looking amused all of a sudden. “I think we’ve already established that’s bad for anyone’s health.”

“You have no idea, Moretti.” Chuito couldn’t taper the sharp edge to his voice. “Angel’s getting off easy. I didn’t take care of that other situation so you’d owe me a favor. I did it because I wanted to. That’s the truth.”

“Lucky for you, I’m a man who can appreciate that level of family loyalty.” Nova stood up and walked around the table. He held out his hand, and Chuito stood and took it. He let Nova pull him into a hug, their hands still firmly clasped. Nova kissed his cheek and whispered in Spanish, “The war ever comes to Garnet, you have their backs. All of them. You go to the mattresses with them. That’s the deal.”

“Always,” Chuito assured him in Spanish. “I didn’t need to be an associate for that. They’re family. I owe them my life. You knew that a long time ago.”

Nova pulled back and used his hold on Chuito’s arm to turn it outward, displaying his Los Corredores tattoo. “You need new ink.”

Chuito let out a relieved laugh when the tension in the room evaporated. “I’m always up for new ink, Moretti.”