Anger and frustration enveloped Santiago like a dark, nasty cloud that announced the onset of a terrible storm. He and his goons had combed the city and come up empty-handed. Angelica was nowhere to be found, and it infuriated Santiago that she had so easily slipped from his clutches.
Underestimating Angelica’s prowess had caused him to lose time, money, and the energy he had invested to make sure that his vengeance was carried out in the methodical way that he had planned. Aside from the few unexpected glitches, his plan was falling in place. Soon the breaches of trust in his fallen empire that had been dubbed Operation Stingray would be eradicated once and for all.
Five years was a long time to wait, but now that his new team had been properly organized and trained, it was only a matter of time before he, like King David in the Bible, would kill the giant pain in his ass with one shot from his sling. While it was proving to be more difficult than he expected, one down was not bad.
Needing to calm his nerves, Santiago went to the wet bar and poured himself a brandy. He swished the drink in the snifter and brought it to his lips. Taking a sip, his mind reflected on the room where Angelica slept. He walked to it, opened the door and surveyed it once again.
Had she planned on returning or was freedom more important than a few pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage, clothing, and other personal effects? Santiago threw the brandy snifter to the floor, its contents splashing and wetting the carpet. He screamed for Sammy and Dominic, though they could not hear him. Angry that no one responded, he left the room and slammed the door.
He found his cell phone where he had left it and dialed Dom’s number. “Get ready. You, me, and Sammy are going to take a trip down south.”
Santiago slammed the phone shut. He knew where to go. The bitch had found out about Hamilton, and she went running. What amazed him was that she found a way to do it. Courage-he had to give it to Angelica. Well, her end was near, and her boyfriend wouldn’t be able to help her because his body was probably decomposing where he and the boys had left him.
Smiling for the first time, Santiago rushed to the vault where he kept his arsenal of weapons. He’d take two or three assault rifles and a Glock for himself.
He held the gun in his hand, took off the safety, and pointed at the target he used for practice. Pop. “Bull’s-eye.” A hearty laugh erupted from deep within. Santiago released another shot. “Bull’s-eye. That was for you, Angelica. You’re gonna wish you had never double-crossed me. Ask Donna.”
Santiago’s laughter was so loud that he didn’t see Sammy and Dominic walk in with puzzlement in their eyes. Turning around at last, he saw them at the entrance to the vault and pointed the gun in their direction.
“Whoa!” Sammy shouted. “What’s up with you, man?”
Santiago laughed harder now. He put the gun down and placed the safety back on it. “A little practice, boys. Good for my psyche.”
Sammy looked at Dom. “Understand, boss,” Sammy replied, the fear finally released from his eyes. “Dom and I are ready to ride.”