After a short distance, the driveway curved and then straightened out again. The view was sensational. Before him lay a one-hundred-foot rolling, crisp green lawn and a house the size of a hotel, with a crystal-clear view of the ocean. Dominic couldn’t fathom how much this house, on this amount of land, in this location, must cost.
He pulled around to the front of the house and parked. A butler opened Dominic’s car door and instructed him to follow him inside. They passed through a huge foyer with black and white marble floors and two curved staircases. The butler asked Dominic to wait in the living room. The room had large windows that overlooked a cascading pool and tennis courts, the ocean was the backdrop. A Steinway Concert Grand Piano stood in a corner. Afraid to sit on one of the white couches, Dominic stood admiring the artwork hanging on the walls. Salazar entered the room, greeting Dominic.
“Your home is phenomenal,” Dominic said. It was better than any of the homes he’d seen on MTV Cribs.
“Thank you. This is my favorite house. The view is unsurpassed anywhere in the world.”
Dominic moved closer to one of the paintings. “This is unique.”
“Anthony Falbo,” Salazar said, coming to stand next to Dominic. “Everything on this wall is from his Light and Dark Series. I particularly like this one. It’s entitled Game of Life.”
Dominic scrutinized the painting. It consisted of a red, white, and black chess set. The pawns were people’s heads. Dominic certainly wasn’t an expert in art, but he found this piece provoking.
“Life is one big game, isn’t it?” Salazar asked. “You can always manipulate situations to get the outcome you desire—always remember that. You will need this advice once you enter the game.”
Dominic had a feeling everything was a game to Salazar. Not wanting to answer, he wandered to another wall. “Also Anthony Falbo?” Dominic asked.
“Yes. These are from his Genesis Series.”
“I didn’t realize you’re a religious man,” Dominic said. How could Salazar be religious and the leader of a drug cartel?
“Why do you assume that?” Salazar asked. He sat on one of the couches and waited for Dominic to answer.
“Because of these paintings—the creation of the universe, God. . . .” Salazar wouldn’t have pictures about God if he didn’t believe in Him.
“And the fall of man,” Salazar added. “This one is entitled Out of Darkness.”
Dominic was even more curious now, “Do you believe in God?” Was it possible to have this lifestyle and believe in God? Maybe Salazar led a good life, one that wasn’t destined for eternal damnation. Dominic was intrigued by the idea of having that kind of money, and power, and actually using some of it for good. Could Dominic take the job then? No, of course not, because of the arranged marriage, and he would be doing something illegal. But was it immoral? Was selling drugs any different than selling alcohol or cigarettes?
“God can be a powerful motivator,” Salazar said. “And I have raised my daughter to believe in God. That, my boy, is what’s important. Take a seat.” Salazar motioned toward the couch opposite his.
The butler entered, “Sir, Miss Brianna’s car has just arrived. She will be in shortly.” He bowed and left the room.
The beautiful girl Dominic met the other night on the pier was also named Brianna. Wouldn’t it be ironic if this turned out to be the same person? But the chances of that happening were so slim that Dominic wouldn’t allow himself to hope. But still, it would be funny. Or was that considered fate?
“Have you had a chance to consider my offer?” Salazar asked, crossing his legs.
“It’s an amazing offer,” Dominic said. He wondered if Salazar planned to do anything to him when he refused to take the job. Would he have Dominic killed? Threaten his family? Or would he let Dominic walk away? Sitting on the edge of the couch, Dominic leaned his elbows on his legs, feeling the sweat accumulate on his forehead.
“Yes, Dominic, it is an amazing offer. Not every day does someone hand you the world.”
Dominic couldn’t outright refuse the offer. It would be rude and under no circumstances did he want to offend or upset Salazar. “Well . . . what exactly would I be doing?”
“You will be the CEO of a company. Your duties will include overseeing production, shipping, and distribution. Obviously there will be some traveling. Weekly meetings with the department heads. Nothing out of the ordinary.” Salazar shrugged his shoulders like it was no big deal.
The way he talked made it seem like Dominic would work for a legitimate company. “Are you referring to Austogen?” Dominic asked. “For some reason, I thought . . . well you had said,” Dominic had no idea how to finish that thought. He wanted to say I thought you ran a drug cartel and I would be taking it over.
“You will have some responsibilities to Austogen. Meetings and things of that nature. But Austogen is just a front for what we really do.”
So they were talking about drugs. Did Salazar really run his cartel like a business? Would it be an ordinary job—not some dangerous, high-stakes criminal activity type job? He looked at Salazar sitting on the couch. Based strictly on appearances, Salazar seemed like a high-powered business man. He didn’t appear to be a greedy, gun-carrying, criminal.
“I assure you,” Salazar said, “you will be running a company. You probably have some preconceived notion about drug cartels, but I am successful because I am careful, and I treat what I do as a business.”
It couldn’t possibly be that simple, could it? The way Salazar explained the job, well, it didn’t sound so bad.
“Ah, here she is.” Salazar stood. “Glad you could make it, dear.”
Dominic forgot about meeting Salazar’s daughter. He rubbed his hands over his face. This was going to be awkward.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said. “I was working on a new case and lost track of time. I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“Brianna dear, I want you to meet Dominic. Dominic, this is my daughter Brianna.”
Dominic glanced up into sapphire eyes. It was Brianna from the pier. And she was even more breathtaking in the daylight. He stood and shook her hand.
Salazar kissed Brianna on her forehead, then excused himself to take a phone call.
“What are you doing here?” Brianna asked once her father was gone.
“I have a meeting with your dad.”
“You’re our potential new hire?” she asked.
“I guess.”
Brianna gave a sly smile and asked, “So you’re the man my father wants me to marry?”
He’d forgotten about the arranged marriage part. “Apparently. Wow, this is awkward.”
Brianna’s eyes darted to the ceiling in the corner of the room. Dominic followed her line of sight and saw there was a security camera. She quickly glanced away, then took a seat on the couch. Not sure what else to do, Dominic sat down next to her.
“It is a little awkward given the situation.” Brianna smiled at him. “But it’s also a huge relief, for me at least. In all honesty, I expected to meet a stranger today, someone much older than myself. I didn’t expect you by any means.”
“Yeah, I didn’t expect you either.”
“Now I understand our conversation on the pier. Have you made a decision about the job?”
“I have. I’ve decided not to take it.”
***
Brianna’s heart sank. Dominic didn’t want the job. She knew her father was watching them, and there would be hell to pay if she didn’t change Dominic’s mind.
“Really?” Brianna asked. She reached out and put her hand on Dominic’s leg. “I’m surprised. Most people would die for such a job.”
“Well, that’s the thing,” he said. “I don’t want to die doing my job.” He wiped his hands on his pants, and Brianna removed her hand.
So he was nervous. Good. “Why would you say something like that?” Brianna asked. “You have to understand that my father runs a very organized business. He’s a genius really. I
’m going to be working for him as well.” She tried to keep a neutral face and not cringe when she praised Salazar.
Dominic leaned back on the couch. He was actually quite handsome. His dark, curly hair matched his eyes. There were light freckles on his nose. And when he smiled, Brianna wanted to smile with him. Dominic had a peace to him that she wished she had.
He glanced up and caught her staring at him. Brianna forced herself to look away.
Dominic sighed. “To be honest,” he said, “it’s not only the job that makes me uneasy. I can’t imagine the idea of an arranged marriage.”
Oh. Dominic wasn’t interested in her, then? Surely Salazar couldn’t blame her for that. No, he would. Her father would absolutely blame her for destroying everything. She needed to find a way to convince Dominic to take the job and marry her.
Perhaps sympathizing with Dominic would work. “I know exactly how you feel,” Brianna said.
“Then why did you agree to the arranged marriage?” he asked.
Brianna smiled. She didn’t agree to it—it was forced upon her. Instead, she said, “It wasn’t an easy decision, I can tell you that. Marriage is something I take very seriously. It boiled down to a few important details.” She had Dominic’s full attention. Rounding her shoulders, Brianna took a deep breath and continued on.
“First of all, I will be honoring my grandfather’s dying wish, and that means a lot to me. My grandfather made my dad swear to keep the business in the family. This is the only way to do that. Family is the most important thing in the world. I just happen to come from a family that does some unorthodox things.”
Brianna wasn’t sure if Dominic followed her reasoning. Grabbing ahold of her necklace, she began fidgeting with it. “Also, the divorce rate is now over fifty percent—and that’s between people who choose to marry one another. For hundreds of years people have been in arranged marriages. Some end up working out. I figure, even if I choose the man I want to marry, it’s no guarantee I’ll be happy and we’ll make it. My father spent years finding someone he feels is not only capable of taking over the business, but also compatible with me. I trust his judgment, and I’m sure it’ll work out.”
Brianna lost her train of thought. Where was she going with this? She continued to play with her necklace, knowing that Salazar was watching. She had to pull this off. She had to convince Dominic. But how? She knew so little about him. He seemed like a nice person. He was easy to converse with. Could she see herself married to him? She looked at him, really looked. He was innocent. Like your next-door neighbor, a typical American boy.
There was something about his eyes, though. He actually seemed scared. What could he be scared of? Knowing Salazar, he had to have kept himself under control. Dominic knew nothing about her father’s true nature. Yet.
Brianna found herself actually caring about Dominic—how strange. If only she could warn him, but that was out of the question. She had to capture him, and she was running out of time. With what then? How could she reel him in? Whatever she said, it needed to sound authentic. Dominic had sincere eyes. Taking a chance, she let go of her necklace and took Dominic’s hands. Sure enough, they were sweaty.
“I . . . I can’t explain it correctly . . . but I believe that everything happens for a reason.” Brianna looked down at their entwined hands. She bit her lip and continued, “I’m sorry, I’m usually more articulate than this. For some reason when I’m around you . . . I feel . . . overwhelmed. My heart races and I’m nervous.”
Dominic’s eyebrows rose.
“That night on the pier, you asked for my number. You felt something between us. Take my father out of the equation. Wouldn’t you have called me? Perhaps we would’ve dated and ended up married. Now, I, on the other hand, plan to marry whoever takes over the business. Had I not met you on the pier, I would still be meeting you here today. Either way, I would’ve met you. Somehow I know it’s fate. If you met me for the first time today, after you decided not to take the job, then we would never have had a chance. But having met me before you knew who I was, and thinking that there was something between us, then doesn’t that tell you anything?” Was she even making sense to him? She held her breath, waiting for his answer.
“I don’t know,” Dominic said, shaking his head. “You say you’ll be honoring your grandfather’s dying wish, but if I take the job, I will be dishonoring both of my parents. They don’t want me to take the job, and they don’t want me associating with Salazar in any way.”
“I understand,” she said. “Your parents once knew my father?” Luckily Salazar filled her in on some vital information.
“Yeah, and working for your dad would kill my mom.”
Of course he would be close with his mother. Brianna’s heart warmed. Even if she never loved Dominic, she knew they could be friends. Still holding onto his hands, she said, “Then don’t tell them. It’s best they don’t know anyway. Please give it a chance. I can’t imagine you walking away from this.”
Looking at Dominic, Brianna saw a young man struggling with his identity. Perhaps it was a result of his recent break-up or having just graduated. There was an enormous struggle within. The fact that he hadn’t yet agreed to the job only raised her opinion of him. If he was shallow, then he wouldn’t be resisting.
Brianna placed a hand on Dominic’s thigh. Usually when you stroke a man’s ego and throw a little sexual tension in the mix, it’s a done deal. Men could be so easily persuaded—well, most men at least.
When he didn’t respond, she continued, “Don’t you enjoy driving the Porsche? You have to see the advantages of this job. Look at this house. We own more than thirty homes all over the world. I go to Switzerland to ski, Indo for surfing, sailing through the Mediterranean. I own a Maserati, a Ferrari, and an Aston Martin. You have to see the benefits that this amount of money can provide. Your family, your entire family, can be taken care of for life. Houses, colleges, all paid for. All of this can be yours, including me.” Brianna gave him a look that usually made men putty in her hands.
Salazar returned. “I’m glad to see you’ve had a chance to talk.”
“Yes, we’re trying to get to know each other a little bit. I was telling Dominic that we should go on a date in order to become better acquainted. That would be okay with you, wouldn’t it, Dad?”
“Of course,” Salazar said, taking a seat across from them. “So, you’re accepting the job?”
Dominic jumped off the couch and went to look out the windows. He remained silent for a long time. Salazar glared at Brianna, but she ignored him.
“I really don’t know,” Dominic said, his back still facing them. “It’s a big decision, and I need more time.”
“I can give you until the end of the week. Then I need an answer,” Salazar responded.
“Fair enough.” Dominic turned around to face them.
“By the way,” Salazar said as he stood up, “here are season box seats for the Chargers. I know how much you enjoy football.”
Vincent’s was a small Italian restaurant with about twenty tables. Tonight, fewer than half were occupied. Matt requested to be seated in a secluded section. The hostess led him to a table toward the back, away from everyone. He ordered a bottle of Chianti, not wanting to look desperate or eager, while waiting for Brianna to arrive.
Before Matt came to Vincent’s, he reviewed the DEA’s file on Brianna. It wasn’t looking good. The name she used at work had to be an alias because the social security number went to a sixty-five year old woman living in Carlsbad, California. The DEA had their securities specialist doing a more thorough investigation on her.
Matt wanted to know why Brianna had been seen at Salazar’s residence. She seemed a little young to be actively involved with a drug cartel, especially at such a high level. The only other explanation Matt could think of was that Brianna was related to Salazar somehow. Whoever she was, Matt was sure he could figure it out over dinner—he even made a bet with Jeff, the agent sitting outside in the van doing surve
illance.
Matt glanced at his watch. It was almost seven thirty, she was late. Or perhaps a no-show. He hadn’t intended to arrive before her.
That’s when Matt noticed two men walk in. One of the guys glanced around the restaurant, then sat down at a table near the door. He nodded to the other guy, who left and returned a moment later with Brianna. The man whispered something in her ear, then went and stood outside.
Brianna spotted Matt. A smile brightened her face as she walked over to him, her eyes never deviating from his. “Sorry I’m late.”
She didn’t sound very sorry.
“No problem. Have a seat.” Brianna was wearing a low cut black dress that set off her piercing blue eyes. “Did you know there’s an office pool going on that you’re the topic of?” Matt asked with a somewhat joking tone, trying to keep things light and gain her confidence.
“Oh, really?” Brianna responded, her eyes flickering.
“Apparently, I’m the winner,” he said, raising one eyebrow and giving her a crooked smile. He couldn’t be certain, but it appeared Brianna was looking him over. Perhaps lingering a little too long on his body before returning to his face. Good. Time to pour her a drink of wine and loosen her up.
With a quick shake of her head, Brianna answered, “Winner of what?”
“A bet at the firm. The person who takes you out to dinner wins the money.”
“How much?” Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Because you owe me half.”
Matt chucked. “I actually don’t know. I’m not in the pool.”
“Why not?” she asked.
Matt grabbed the bottle of wine sitting on the table, filling her glass half-way. “I don’t like office politics,” Matt responded. “I have better things to do with my time.”
“I’m sure you do,” she smirked. “Let’s just be clear—I won’t be one of those things that you so casually do with your free time.”
She must be used to guys hitting on her all the time because Matt wasn’t even laying it on thick, and she was already drawing a line between them. Time to change that.
The Power to See Page 7