Chapter One

DINO

I hit the punch bag with so much strength, channelling all my frustration into series of blows as if it were the ultimate source of my problems. With each swing, I feel pressure in my arms, shoulders and chest. I'm drenched in sweat and my body is beginning to wear out, but I force it to go harder. I feel her presence when she walks in, but I choose to ignore her. I'm in the gym in the lower basement of the house, and only one person knows it exists, so I know she's the one. I work out mostly at night, and I don't like to disturb the peace of other people, hence the hidden gym. It's sound proof and has a hidden door. Minutes pass and I feel her still watching me. 

"You should be asleep Marley," I say between short breaths.

"So should you." She responds.

 I stop and pick up the bottle of water I kept on the bench, then turn to face her while drinking. "What do you want?"

"Where were you yesterday?" She asks

"About my business."

She scoffs and raises a brow. "Your business?"

"I had private matters to attend to."

"There's no private between us Dino. We're a team. We've always been a team." 

"You over estimate yourself too much Marley. Yes, we're a team, but I'm the Boss. I do not report to you unless it's necessary. If that's all you came down here for, you can go back to bed."

I turn and walk to the treadmill for a quick run, not waiting to hear her reply. I'm done with this conversation. I've been lenient with Marely for way too long. She needs to learn her boundaries. She's gotten too comfortable around me, and I can't allow that. If I let her keep up with it, soon they will begin to think she's my weakness and try to use her to get to me.

"Suit yourself." She says in an angry tone and walks out. I know I'm upsetting her. I hate to treat her this way, but I don't have much of a choice. 

 Myself and Marley go way back. We have history. I took her under my wing when she was just 12. I was 16. I remember that night like it was yesterday. I shake my head, forcing myself not to go down memory lane. I still feel rage when I think about it. From then on till now, I've been an older brother and friend to Marley. But things have changed. I've grown to become the most powerful drug Lord in Mexico. Dinero Ricci Roderigo, first of my name. My word is law in Mexico, and most of South America. I went through fire to become what I am now. An orphan with rage at the world and determination, I took the city. And I will do anything to make sure I remain at the top. 

    When you're a man like me, you're never comfortable with where you are. There's always something bigger and better. I've been trying to broaden my reach, and that's not a very easy feat to achieve. Most drug cartels thrive on the back of family. I on the other hand am a lone man. I have two of my most trusted friends working with me, but still, I have learned not to trust anyone completely. Given the right opportunity or situation, anybody can switch up on you. In my world, you sleep with one eye open. Never feel too safe or secure. I want all of the Caribbean, not just Mexico.

    Yesterday I had a meeting with Don Gonzalez. The most ruthless man ever known in the Caribbean. The only one I dare not rival. We have an unspoken understanding. He respects me because of what I have achieved on my own. He knows that I am strong and ambitious. I respect him because I know he can do me over in a blink of an eye. He is the most powerful in the Caribbean. The police don't even bother with him anymore. His brutal ways earned him the title "The Iron Fist", but only a few eyes have seen him. I cannot have the Caribbean without going through Don Gonzalez. That would be me asking for a show down. A very unwise move. The meeting I had with him was in hopes that we could make a pact and work together. I know he has no son, and I also know that he is old and his time begining to thin out. Word on the street is he has cancer. It's just a rumour, but most rumours have an element of truth.

     I get to my room and see that Samantha is still there. She's sprawled out on the bed, naked. I never like to have the same girl twice, but Samantha. There's something about her that makes me always come back. Such a shame that I would soon discard her. I admire her beautiful body and firm ass. My eyes trail up her back to her face. That mouth. I sure am going to miss that mouth, but that's about it. I head to the shower for a bath, but my mind plays the picture of her on my bed again and I grow hot with need, my cock throbbing. I step out of the shower, my cock stiff as a rod and see that she is already wide awake. She eyes my cock and smirks. I walk towards her, still dripping wet, and she gets on her knees, ready to take me in her mouth. I guess this is why I like Samantha. She knows what to do without me asking. She circles the tip of my cock with her tongue, and I resist the urge to groan in pleasure. She takes it in, sucking and swirling her tongue around the tip and I throw my head back. I grab a fist full of her hair, urging her on. She bobs her head back and forth, taking most of my length and choking on it. I look down at her and the sight of drool around her mouth makes me almost burst. I reach down and grab her nipples, pinching and she moans. I feel the vibration as my dick hits the back of her throat. I pinch and twist harder until I begin to smell her wetness. It sends me over and I grab her head, fucking her mouth until I cum in her throat. I push her to the bed, still high on her smell and delve between her legs. I tease her and kiss the areas around her clit. She moans and bucks her hips, desperate for contact. I chuckle and push her back down. "Not so fast missy." I kiss her inner thighs, making her squirm. I lick her pussy up and down, circling her clit with my tongue before sucking it gently. She grabs my hair, pushing my head further. I stick two fingers in her pussy, curling them up and hitting her sweet spot while still sucking her clit. She cums so hard, her legs shake. I lick my fingers, loving her smell and taste and smile to myself. I will miss this. I get up and give her a sinister look.

"Get out."

"What?" She asks, looking confused.

"You heard me, pack your stuff and get out." I grab a few bills from my wallet and throw them at her. She stares at me and then the money in front of her, looking hurt. 

"You didn't think I was going to make you my girlfriend, did you? You're certainly smarter than that Samantha. I just needed you to warm my bed, and you played your role quite exceptionally. Now leave." 

"But it's the middle of the night." She protests, at the brink of tears. Walking up to her, I kiss her forehead before catching her by surprise and grabbing her throat tight. "Pack your stuff and get out before I blow your head off sweetheart." I say in a harsh tone. I'm headed to the bathroom, and when I don't hear her move, I look back and give her a deadly stare. She scampered up, grabbed her things and left. I smiled to myself and then jumped in the shower. That was fun while it lasted. 

    My mind drifts back to Don Gonzalez. He didn't say much during our meeting. Actually, I didn't even see him. When I got to his estate, l was led to a dark room and the door shut behind me. I was alert, prepared for the worst. I already had my men stationed at strategic places around the estate should anything go amiss. We had the blueprint of the house, but that room was not on it. From the dark I heard a voice I could only assume was his. "Speak." I laid out my intent and told him I would like to work with him and how it could benefit both of us. 

"Ahh, Dino. You are wise beyond your years and I admire that a lot about you. You are however, more confident than I thought. I will think about your offer and I will send for you again. You may go." That was all he said. I was a bit disappointed I didn't see him, but that didn't matter. Gonzalez rarely shows his face. Rico is working on hacking into their server to get all information we can about them. I don't want whatever his offer will be to take me by surprise.