The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 171 La Casa de Flores

Noah

The limousine suddenly turned, entering through an open pair of iron gates leading into a sprawling property at the foot of Huff Hills.

“Driver, lower the partition please,” I quickly instructed the chauffeur via intercom. I adjusted the bulletproof vest I was wearing under my shirt and positioned my hand near my gun. I couldn’t afford any surprises.

Once the retractable partition separating ‘the driver’s side and the rear passenger area disappeared into its wall compartment, I had an unobstructed view of our surroundings. I kept an eye out for any sudden movements. Luckily, there were none.

The private road leading to the mansion was lined with newly cut rectangular shaped bushes growing alongside various colored tulips, all of which, were in full bloom. An array of yellow garden lights lit our way towards the modern mansion whose bright lights were aglow.

As the limousine came to a stop, I noticed the color changing fountain lights of a huge water fountain of a naked woman situated in the middle of the front yard. Clouds of steam hovered above the circular pool just below the feet of the marble sculpture, creating an illusion that the naked woman was floating.

The well-maintained lawn had several sc attered trees, its branches lit with dai looked like fireflies twi nkling in the night sky. There were various flowers all a was the colorful tulips that caught my attention. They swayed with the breeze welcoming us with their small dance.

The limousine door opened and I exited, catching the scent of morning dew laced hint of honeysuckle. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet unfor smell of my childhood which reminded

me of the times when Joy and I would lie ber the stars on a cool summer night.

ts that

ti t

I opened my eyes and let out a low whistle. The estate Pete had managed to procure for Lorenzo was breathtaking.

“Welcome to La Casa de Flores,” Pete announced, the Colonel standing beside him with hi gun aimed at Pete’s side. “It is the pride and joy of the Mexican Envoy to North Dakota. My mother sponsored many of his advocacies, so it wasn’t difficult to ask him for a favor.”

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CHAPTER 171 La Casa de Flores

“I’m impressed, Pedro,” Lorenzo said, eyeing the brick walls and the tall windows of the two- story mansion. “How many bedrooms?”

“Eight bedrooms on the second floor. A home theater, recreation area, office and a large room in the basement. Then, there’s a heated pool at the back and beside it, a guest house,” Pete answered.

“Colonel, are your men on their way here?” I asked. Instead of a verbal answer, he pointed at, what appeared to be, headlights of vehicles at the gates of the estate.

After a few moments, several black SUVS came speeding onto the driveway, making a full stop beside the limousine. One by one, the Blue Rogues exited the cars, dressed in their midnight blue tactical suits while each carrying an assault rifle.

“Nestor, have your men bring my luggage inside the house,” the Consigliere instructed, walking towards the front entrance of the mansion. “Oh, by the way, hijo, I would rest better with a woman in my bed.” I quickly grabbed my phone from my inner coat pocket.

“I’ll call Madame Beatrix so she can send several girls for you, Consigliere,” I answered. Beatrix was a well-known and respected madame in Bismarck who discreetly catered to VIPs.

“Thank you,

Nestor. You know my preference,” the Consigliere replied. “And if you can, I want a young boy… Someone who will scream while I so domize him.” ·

I cringed, shocked he could be so casual in front of the Colonel and his men. Clearly, the Consigliere was a proud ped ophile.

“Ah, there’s no need to call Beatrix,” Pete interjected as he opened the front door of th mansion and entered the grand foyer. “Consigliere, I have what you need downstairs in basement.” The Consigliere laughed.

“You know me so well, Pedro,” Lorenzo said, waving his finger at him. “These boys… are the

young?”

“Yes, one is twelve while the other, ten,” Pete answered to my utter disgust. “They’re virgins, Consigliere, just the way you like them.”

“The boys I want, Pedro, however I would prefer a willing young woman to share my bed,” Lorenzo said. “Nestor, have your madame send me her best.” I nodded my head and quickly

dialed.

Pete gestured at us to follow him for a tour of the mansion “Very well then Consigliere the7

CHAPTER 171 La Casa de Flores

master suite is located on the west wing. Nestor follow me into the basement. I need some help getting the boys upstairs.”

After I spoke to Madame Beatrix, the Colonel, two of his men, and I followed Pete down the stairs to the basement towards the end of the hallway where a large room housed Pete’s

relunctant guests.

When Pete unlocked and opened the door, screams erupted. Inside were five young women and two young boys. Despite the fact they were being held against their will, they looked clean and healthy.

Several mattresses lay on the floor as well as a pile of foil wrappers of chips and cookies. At the very least, Pete was feeding them.

“Noah, how can you condone this?” The Colonel whispered as his men grabbed the two

young boys.

“I don’t like this s hit too, but they outrank me. Just play along for now. Come tomorrow, I’ll

have you put two in Pete’s skull,” I whispered back.

“Fine, they can have their fun until sunrise,” the Colonel replied, “then, I’ll have my men release these captives before we make our way to New Salem.” I nodded my approval.

While Lorenzo and Pete chose from among the young girls Madame Beatrix sent, I checked

my messages.

I found an email sent by one of the Colonel’s men. Inside was a video showing Lisa lea storage unit carrying a duffle bag which I could only assume was filled with money.

Attached to the email was a copy of Lisa’s flight itinerary to Chicago. She arrived in Chica two days ago after she announced to the townsfolk during the opening ceremony of the Honey Bee Celebration that Bismarck Police had concluded her husband had died via suicide As of the moment, she was still in Chicago, but she was scheduled to fly back to Bismarck later in the morning so she could attend the Sullivan-Cohen nuptials in the afternoon.

Her visiting her husband’s storage unit prior to her departure could only mean one thing…

Cris was alive and well in Chicago.

I scrolled through my inbox for more emails on Lisa, however, there was nothing else.

After the Consigliere was finally shacked up in the Master Suite with his h arem and Pete w2?

CHAPTER 171 La Casa de Flores

in his room with a girl of his own, the Colonel and I entered the mansion’s library to talk.

“What has Liam been up to?” I asked after I had seated myself comfortably in an antique

leather chair.

“He has been busy organizing his wedding and heading the festivities of the Honey Bee Celebration. He’s also working closely with the Sheriff and the Undersheriff in the hopes of finding the Martins,” the Colonel answered. “I put a tail on him and my scout said he overheard the good mayor ask the owner of a grocery store if he knew where he could find an Attorney Link Murphy.” Liam must have asked Bo for Link’s whereabouts. “Also, our spy cameras in the Cohen Mansion have caught him… searching for some document.”

I wonder what that could be. Change subject.

“By the way, Colonel, I received an email from that scout tailing Lisa,” I said. “Any news from

him?”/

Ryan called me yesterday and informed me she’s looking for someone. A certain De Vega, he answered. “She was seen going to several clubs. She left each one, alone, sober and disappointed.” He suddenly checked his watch. “I better call him for a follow-up. He was supposed to touch base a while ago.” He whipped out his phone from his pants’ pocket and

dialed.

な

Good. Once I know the location of Cris Murdock, I can finalize my plans.

I leaned my head back against the chair and closed my eyes. My thoughts wandered of

the one woman I ached for.

Pete wasn’t going to hand Virtue over to me nor was he going to step aside… without a I had to plan things thoroughly and I had to be two steps ahead at all times.

Unfortunately, I would have to get my hands dirty.

That’s fine, just as long as it means New Salem and Virtue will be mine.

“We have a problem, Noah,” the Colonel said, interrupting my thoughts. I opened my eyes and noticed his brow was furrowed. “The call went straight to voice mail.”

Go d da mn it!

I barged into Pete’s room with the Colonel following close behind. Inside, Pete and his girl were on the bed naked, but he wasn’t f ucking her. He was on top of her both of his hands 4/7

CHAPTER 171 La Casa de Flores

around her neck. The as shole was strangling the poor girl.

“Pete, what the f uck!” I howled angrily as I pulled him off the young prostitute. “Are you f ucking out of your mind?!” I didn’t want to deal with a dead woman. I had too much on my plate to even think of hiding a dead body.

“Get your hands off of me, you pr ick!” Pete yelled, swatting my hands away from his sweaty body. “You have no right to interfere in my affairs!” novelbin

“Did you send men to spy on Lisa?” I asked, glancing at the girl as she gasped for air. The Colonel quickly covered her with a blanket while gesturing to his men for a glass of water. “Answer me!” I shoved Pete against the wall, careful not to touch his disgusting little penis.

“No,” he spat back. “Why in the hell are you asking me that?”

“The man the Colonel sent to follow her has gone missing,” I answered harshly. “Ever since I found out about this delivery man, I’ve been trying to locate Cris. I had Lisa followed knowing she would lead me to him.”

“And you think I have something to do with your guy’s disappearance?” Pete asked, amused. He chuckled, his pudgy belly ji ggling as he laughed. “You know, Noah, a person will go to grave lengths to stay hidden. I have a feeling Cris took care of him.” He pushed my hand off his shoulder and closed the small gap between us. He stood so close I could smell his stale breath. “Now, if you don’t mind, there’s a girl in my bed that I want to f uck. Unless you want to watch.” He pulled the blanket off of her and began to stroke her pu ssy.

“F uck, Pete, not strangle,” I warned him, my voice low with rage. “If I find her dead in t morning, I’m going to bury you with her.” I turned to address one of the Blue Rogues. “R an eye on him.”

Before storming out of Pete’s bedroom, I planted a bug on his dresser. I saw that familiar arrogant glint in his eyes. He definitely knew something.

“I’m sorry, Colonel,” I said as we walked back to the library. His eyes narrowed angrily.

“This is on me, son,” he said, his tone cold. “I’ll find out whoever did this and I’ll make sure the son ofab itch pays with his life.”

Link

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CHAPTER 171 La Casa de Flores

Chicago

It was a chilly night and I was tipsy, but not too tipsy to notice every touch, every seductive move, every flirtatious smile this beautiful woman was throwing at me.

**

We were in a cab heading back to our hotel. I had accidentally bumped into her this morning at the lobby of the hotel, pretending to be in Chicago for business.

I was on the phone with Beaufort when she stepped out of the elevator looking quite relaxed in her casual floral spring dress.

“We have the man who has been following her in custody, Link,” Beaufort said. “Proceed as planned.”

“Do I have to?” I whined. I didn’t want to toy with a woman’s feelings. Truth be told, I had to constantly remind myself that she was the one who lured Joy to the boy’s gym that fateful night. “If I’m not mistaken, Primo was able to hack into her computer. Shouldn’t that information be enough?”

“She’s in the process of b ypa ssing Dan for councilman, Link,” Beaufort argued, “without any objections from Liam. She’s important and I want to know why. Right now, Cristos is doing a background check on her parents. Her father managed a bank. It’s possible the Angels of Darkness used him to launder their money. Anyway, if you’re having second thoughts, I can, send De Luca instead. You know how he is with women.” I heard the warning in Beaufort’s

tone.

I let out an exasperated sigh. I couldn’t disappoint him.

“She just stepped out of the elevator. I gotta go.

“Sam will stay close just in case someone else is tailing her. I’ll see you in New Salem tomorrow,” Beaufort said before hanging up.

The cab stopped in front of our hotel. I hopped out to assist her, taking her hand in mine

while my arm went around the small of her waist. As she stepped out onto the sidewalk, she

tripped. I broke her fall, pushing her soft body against mine. I buried my nose in her hair,

taking in the strawberry scent of her shampoo.

“I don’t want the night to end yet, Link,” she murmured, staring up at me with her gorgeous brown eyes. “My suite has an amazing view. How about one last drink?”

I lowered my head brushing my line against hork for one long tantalizing moment Che

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CHAPTER 171 La Casa de Flores

suddenly parted her lips, a sign she wanted more.

I kissed her gently, rather tentatively, allowing her to stop me, if she felt uncomfortable.

But she didn’t. Instead, I felt her body tremble and I heard a soft moan escape from her sweet lips. I raised my head to look into her eyes and I saw a woman who wanted me more than anything else in this world.

I took a deep breath. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I had a job to do.

“I’d love to see the view from your suite over a bottle of champagne. I’ll order room service,

my sweet.”