The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 168 The Consigliere Arrives Pete McDowell After the jet had made a full stop, the clamshell-style door of the sleek private jet opened and the stairs were laid out. Two female flight attendants alighted, cautiously walking down the narrow steps in their high-heeled black pumps towards the tarmac fronting the hangar. One was a blonde carrying an attache case while the other was a striking redhead who was carrying a black leather briefcase. As soon as their feet touched the paved ground, they quickly positioned themselves on each side of the jet’s staircase to wait for their passengers to disembark.

After several moments, my capo emerged, dressed in a dark gray suit, his head held high, looking dashing as ever. He fixed his jacket and adjusted his maroon tie, then played with the gold ring nestled on his pinky finger, apparently stalling, as if he was waiting for someone to announce his arrival.

He momentarily raised his hand to his ear, took a deep breath and smiled before finally climbing down the steps of the aircraft.

| grimaced as | watched both of the women’s lips curl into provocative smiles. The blonde flight attendant quickly stepped forward to give him his bag, bowing her head ever so slightly while sliding the tip of her tongue over her lips.

As he reached over to take the attache case from her, he leaned forward and bent his head, whispering something in her ear while his other hand rubbed her arm... seductively. Before he could even raise his head from her ear, the flight attendant threw her head back and giggled excitedly, exposing her long neck to his lips, obviously expecting him to kiss her on that sensitive area near her pulse. However, he suddenly coughed and straightened himself, gesturing towards the jet with his head. They had to keep appearances for the Consigliere.

The blonde woman sighed, then, tucked a lock of her dirty blonde hair behind her ear and gestured to him to call her. As a reply, he placed two fingers on his lips, sending her a subtle flying kiss.

| rolled my eyes at their exchange. Typical. All he had to do was show sinterest and the women would melt like putty.

Sure, callinsecure, but | disliked being overlooked because he was just so... pretty. It was always like that ever since we were in high school. No girl ever looked atthe way they did him... like he was a piece of juicy steak they wanted to devour. When we were still in 1/6 Fri, Apr 5 CHAPTER 168 The Consigliere Arrives high school, he used to strut through the hallways of our school, looking like James Dean, walking past enamored girls, who were begging for him to look their way. No one else could compete with his good looks, not even Liam, who had a handscar that compensated for his lack of aesthetics.

Even if he could have his pick of anyone in school, he only spoke to a handful of girls. There was Nicole and Abigail, who were part of the popular kids, and Joy Taylor and Lisa.

The only girl who didn’t care too much for him was Lisa. She had the biggest crush on Cris, who was a popular football jo ck back then. Despite being so gawky as a teen, Lisa threw herself at him every chance she got.

| ran my fingers through my hair in frustration as | remembered the sh it hole that was high school. Back in Texas, | was respected and adored because of who | was and the family | belonged to. Here in New Salem, | was bullied because of my heritage. If it weren't for my mother, | would have killed every single as shole in that godforsaken school.

After my cano my capo’s father died in a car crash, he was inducted into the organization as my right hand. Out of all the men in New Salem, it just had to be him...

Just because his father was my father’s bestfriend.

When he arrived at the doorstep of our house in Highland Oaks wearing a suit, his ring and a smug smile on his face, | instantly knew. He had finally gotten what he wanted and | stuck with him whether I liked it or not.

Well, he did helpsolve a problem we had about a piece of land my mother wanted in turn providedleverage against the Cohens and material to start a business that h earnedmillions over the years.

Because of his new position and the relationship his father had with mine, | was forbidden to ever touch him or reveal his identity. Only a handful of people knew about my capo, although | suspected Norma Martin knew about him. My mother had a bad habit of being a loud mouth when she was drunk.

Fortunately, he has been a big help to me. Whatever Liam and his father had planned, my mother and | were the first to know. He played the idiot boy next door perfectly, making him well liked among the people. He was awfully good with his hands too. There was nothing he couldn't fix, allowing him access into people’s homes. And he could sweet talk himself into getting whatever he wanted without any obstacles in his way.

2/6 What infuriatedthough was the respect Theodore Cohen gave him instead of me. It ward 11:19 Fri, Apr 5 M CHAPTER 168 The Consigliere Arrives obvious that racist pig never liked me. However, Noah Jensen knew his place. | was the underboss and him, a mere capo.

After Noah took the leather briefcase from the redhead, the one man | was waiting for finally emerged from the doorway of the jet. Lorenzo Ortiz was wearing a slate gray suit under his black trench coat. He had a streak of white in his midnight black hair, the two colors intertwining into a handscurl over his forehead.

They walked towardswith smiles on their faces. Apparently, they had bonded on their trip here. | scowled, annoyed at their new found friendship.

“Pedro, it's good to see you are healing nicely,” Lorenzo greeted me, his hand extended. “You look like a whole new man.” | took his hand in mine and shook it.

“I look like a battered old man, Consigliere,” | replied dryly. “Thanks to you and De Vega. If | had only known, | wouldn't have agreed to meet him. | trusted you, however you sent into the trenches.” “Pedro, if | hadn’t, De Vega and his niece would still be clamoring for your head. | gave them their revenge and kept you alive,” Lorenzo reasoned. “It may have been a painful experience, but you are an Angel of Darkness. Pain is nothing compared to death.” He placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. “And look at you now. You don’t look like the Pedro | know. You look... devilish.” He winked and gavea warm simile. “Anyway, have you prepared everything | asked?” “Yes, Consigliere,” | said, nodding my head. “Your mansion awaits.” “Nestor, tell the flight attendants to load my bags,” Lorenzo instructed, walking to the limousine parked beside my Audi. The driver quickly opened the back door for him. “Pedro, you drive ahead and we will follow you.” He nodded his head at Noah and entered the limousine.

Finally, | was alone with Noah.

“What happened in Texas?” | asked, following Noah to the group of flight attendants who were busy unloading Lorenzo's luggage.

“Dofa Ortiz is pi ssed, Pete,” he answered. “Tomas was supposed to hold on to the businesses until she could send someone to fix everything for her. Now, Liam has control of everything and he’s backed up by a small private army. She doesn’t want any bloodshed, but if Liam isn’t going to agree to her terms, she’s going to have her assassins deal with him.” He waved at the attendants and gestured to them to carry all the luggage into the limousine 3/6 11:19 Fri, Apr 5.

CHAPTER 168 The Consigliere Arrives The flight attendants nodded their heads and began loading all of Lorenzo’s luggage into the trunk of the limousine. For a person who was only going to stay for a couple of days, the Consigliere sure brought a lot..

“The Consigliere will be meeting with Liam during the parade to tell him Cynthia's businesses aren't his for the taking. If Liam disagrees, Veronica's assassins are going to attack after the wedding. | heard he and Virtue will be flying off to New York and Hawaii for their honeymoon,” he explained, “Not only will they kill Liam, they're going to kill Virtue too.

This isn’t her fight, Pete.” | nodded my head in agreement. Virtue dead wasn’t good for me. Virtue was supposed to be my star.

“Ill talk to Lorenzo and negotiate with him,” | quickly said, earning a dirty look from him.

“No, Pete,” he replied harshly. “I know what you're thinking. She is hands off. Ill figure all of this out. You just keep the Consigliere comfortable while | hatch a plan.” He ran his hand into his blonde hair, clearly frustrated.

“This wouldn't be happening if your mother trusted you to take care of the business rather than having it entrusted to a soldier. G od da mmit, Pete. You should have cto me!” “Excuse me, but weren't you the one who wanted to distance himself from the business? Act like a mule rather than a drug lord? So people would think you were one of them?” | pointed out. He scowled and shook his head.

“You don’t get it do you? | needed people to trust me. Besides | thought you were goin inherit everything.

Instead, your mother went to Dofa Ortiz so she could take control business and Ortiz appointed a soldier as interim. As an underboss, you are useless,” he annoyed. “Well, the Consigliere and | are going to fix this. Ctomorrow, Liam will eit be dead or in jail. | have enough evidence to keep him locked up for a very long time. The everything will right itself.” He suddenly raised his eyes to look atand in their depths. saw how much he loathed me. | stared back at him with the sloathing. The feeling was mutual. “You know, Pete, you could have just released the evidence you have against Liam rather than sending your people to kill him. But of course, you never think. You just do what suits you.” He pointed to the the flight staff who were now walking back to the plane. “They're done loading up the luggages. Con. We'll follow you.” He nudgedwith his elbow and followedto my car.

As we walked, | fought the urge to smile. | was going to lead them to their deaths.

| expected him to open the door for me, but instead, he placed a hand on my shoulder and 4/6 CHAPTER 168 The Consigliere Arrives twirledaround to face him. Then, he shovedforcefully against my car.

With an elbow on my clavicle and his arm against my throat, he pushedeven harder. against the car. | looked at his dark face, surprised at the threatening expression of his eyes.

“What the f uck are you doing.

small “Pete, you actually think we're idiots, don’t you? You think I didn’t know about your s army of men you hired to ambush us?” He growled, his face so close to mine, | could smell the unmistakable scent of whisky on his breath.

“We wouldn't have stepped out of that plane. knowing you were planning to kill us. What you don’t know is | have a small. of army my own.” He raised his head and called out. “Colonel, you can cout now.” Colonel? A tall man cout from the side of the hangar. He was wearing a dark suit with a light. blue shirt and a blue tie underneath. He was tall and muscular, with a weathered face, obviously tanned from being outside. | noticed the sinister looking scar that went through his eyebrow and | knew it was him. Joker had toldabout the Colonel's scar.

He stopped beside Noah, his dark soulless eyes focusing on my face. He quickly noticed my anxiety and it made his lips curl into a mischievous grin.

“The boys took care of this a sshole’s thugs,” he said, his voice low. “Mr. McDowell, you sho consider it as a favor.

They weren't worth the millions you agreed to pay them.” Fuck! Noah suddenly let go ofand grabbed the back of my head, tugging on my hair. | winced in pain. | wasn’t fully recovered from the beating | had a week ago.

He reached into my coat and took out my gun. S hit. | was defenseless.

you have “If you value your life, you'll givewhat | want,” Noah growled harshly. “I know plans to kidnap Virtue. Once you deliver her toand | becunderboss, I'll let you leave North Dakota... as payment for the favor your father gave mine.” He pulled on my hair, banging my head against the roof of my car. “Do we have a deal, Pete?” | nodded my head. There was nothing | could do. My men were dead and I... | was alone.

He let go of my hair then opened the car door before gesturing to the Colonel. “Make sure this acchola doos what he’s supposed to ” 5/6 11:19 Fri, Apr 5 M CHAPTER 168 The Consigliere Arrives The Colone! took out his gun, screwed on a silencer and aimed it at me.

“Get in, McDowell,” the Colonel instructed. “Drive or I'll Chapter Comments Elizabeth Johnson Great chapter, worth the wait. | knew Noah was bad!!! Morgan I knew it! VIEW ALL 9 COMMENTS > 03 < SHARE POST COMMENT 6/6