The Mafia and His Obsession Part 2 (Tainted Hearts 5)

Ah fuck.

Okay then. That’s how we are going to play this.

“And?” His nostril flared at my nonchalant answer.

It was no surprise that he knew that I killed Diego. He confirmed that fucking suspicion when he sent his men to attack me a few months ago. Except…there was a piece in the puzzle missing.

“And now you are wondering how come you’re still alive if I always knew.”

My eyes narrowed on Carlos, waiting for him to continue. He pulled a cigar from his pocket and placed it between his lips, lighting up the tip and taking a long drag. “You see, you are alive because I want you alive.”

“What games are you playing?” I demanded when his words started to make no sense. Diego was his best man. Then why the fuck wasn’t he demanding to have my intestines ripped out and hung into the sun to dry out and fed to the vultures?

Carlos tsked darkly. “Aren’t we all fonds of playing games, Konstantin?”

I was the one who was supposed to play him, making him fall into my trap…I was supposed to make him believe Valentin was betraying him.

But since when did I become a pawn in Carlos’ game?

I didn’t have time for his mind fuckery. “Come to the point,” I hissed under my breath.

He raised his wine glass once again, bumping it into mine. His eyes were dark and humorous, although there was a serious undertone. He leaned forward and whispered for my ears only. “We are on the same team, Viktor.”

I froze and watched his smirk. Fear slithered its way into me for a brief second before I gnawed it down.

He knew. He fucking knew.

Carlos nodded in Valentin’s direction, whose sole attention was on the displayed scene. He had a woman—curvy, pretty, black hair, ebony skin—on his lap. The way she was wrapped around him and the possessive hold he had on her neck, I knew he was fucking her, right there on that couch. There was another woman kneeling by his feet.

“I know what you’re planning. And I have come to say that I won’t be in your way, if that’s what you fear,” Carlos said, bringing my attention back to him.

That made no fucking sense. If he was Valentin’s best buddy…then…

“Why?” I questioned darkly.

“Valentin’s reign is coming to an end. His death means money for me. Money and power.” He waved across the room, gesturing to the party. The slaves. If Valentin were dead, all of this would be his.

Years of partnership…and now he was ready to throw it all away? For what…to partner up with an Ivanshov?

He could be lying. This could all be a plan between Valentin and him. But there was something in the way Carlos was staring at Valentin that told me there was something else.

“You’re not a loyal man. You never were. You were just biding your time until someone did the dirty job for you,” I stated, a matter of fact.

“Loyalty is overrated, Viktor. And you see, all men have secrets. I have my own. To keep my secrets a secret…Valentin needs to die.” He paused, eyes finding Valentin. “Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead,” he whispered. When his gaze came back to me, there was something sinister in his dark eyes.

Ah. There it was. Secrets…secrets…secrets…

If Carlos really wanted to keep something hidden, then he’d go at any length to accomplish that. Even stabbing his own man in the heart. I had no doubt.

For a brief moment, I was very curious. With my head cocked to the side, I stared at Carlos and thought of what he just shared. What secret could it be…how important was it to stay a secret if Carlos was willing to go to any length to hide it?

But then I pushed the thought aside. It didn’t matter. I didn’t have time for that shit. For now, I had one thing only to focus on.

Tick tock. The hours were running. And I didn’t have the time to play other games.

Carlos really wasn’t a man to be trusted, but for now…we had to be on the same team.

When I still hadn’t said a word, not sure if I really believed him or not, he sighed and took a long inhale of his cigar. “Let’s just say…no one likes Valentin very much. He is a fool, really. And unfortunately, fools like him only end up buried deep under the ground.”

I let out a laugh at that. “So we are on the same page.”

He nodded. “Finally, you agree.”

I had come to this party with one intention, but it appeared the rules of the game had changed. This life had taught me to go with the flow. So that was exactly what I would do.

Taking a step away, I gestured toward the rest of the room. “Enjoy the party.”