SCANDALOUS TWO Steps For Revenge: 2, #2

By S. Sharp and D. Brome

Continuing the Saga that began in Scandalous One: A Cause For Revenge

The deaths of Ramone Ramirez and Cesar Calazar have rocked Latin America to its core. Rumors abound of America's involvement as the Drug Cartels
fall into a brutal war. Everyone seeking answers to exactly what when wrong except Tito Mendez.

Architect of the downfall of the Union of Cartels. Tito now makes his boldest power play to achieve his objective. The mastermind has orchestrated the greatest coup in history and is only just beginning.

Now he moves from his native land in Brazil to extend his reach into Colombia and the vicious cartels that control the drug trade there in his efforts to bring about the fall of America.

Whether he succeed his the question as he recruits the beautiful, but dangerous Victoria Alvarez. A woman who spins her own webs of intrigue and deception in the efforts to come out on top by any means necessary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angel Eyes Publications
• Release date: Nov 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386529583

Book preview

Scandalous Two

Steps to Revenge

S. Sharp & D. Brome

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This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and not intended to refer to a specific place or living person. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the authors and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher.

All Right Reserved.

Scandalous Two: Steps to Revenge

Copyright © 2016 S. Sharp and D. Brome

Cover Design: Angel Eyes Publications Design

ADS Publishing is a part of Angel Eyes Publications

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to Lisa Pierce, the person who has been my light, my strength and the very essence of my hope at a time when I found myself lost and alone, without love or anyone who could understand that I still dreamed.

You’ve been my family first, my friend when I needed someone to talk to, and most importantly, my partner when everyone else left me for dead.

So I wanted to dedicate this book to you for all the tireless work you put in to make my dream of becoming a writer possible.

Secondly, I want to thank our new publisher and partner in ADS Publishing Angela Angel Stevenson Ringo. I know we are demanding as hell, but we want to thank you for sharing in and believing in what we always wanted to do.

We appreciate both of you.

Now let’s get rich giving our readers another glimpse of the Scandalous world we are creating!

Foreword

We intended to write part two taking everyone into the streets to give them the street level reality of our story set in America.

Fortunately, the story demanded something more from us than just transporting you into America like a kilo of cocaine on a mule’s back as it makes its way across the border.

Tito called to us and demanded that we tell it all under penalty of death, and when you read this next installment, you'll understand even better why Tito is not a man to be denied.

So bear with us! The story is unfolding and every character we have created is demanding, but we will finish it by telling it all from beginning to end ­­­­-—and if you know us, you know you won't be disappointed by all the juicy details!

Sincerely,

S. Sharp

(Co-Author and Creator of Scandalous)

PROLOGUE

(One Month After The Assassinations)

Tito Mendez awoke to a gentle knock on his bedroom door and reflexively reached for the gun he kept under his pillow.

Who is it? He asked listening intently.

It's me Senior Mendez. Madris his maid answered as she slowly opened the door and poked her head in. It never ceased to amaze him how tolerant he could be of the old woman, but over the years he had come to accept her intrusions into his moments of rest.

Sir, Mr. Suarez has returned to the compound with Juan and he wanted me to let you know that he has the package you requested.

Relaxing a bit, Tito rubbed his face and shook off the last vestiges of his fitful sleep. Seeing that Madris still waited for a response, he smiled and waved her out. Thank you Madris. Tell Rico I will see him while I'm having breakfast and to see that our guests are comfortable.

With a nod she closed the door. Tito laid there a moment gathering his thoughts. There were so many things that troubled him and it seemed he could not get a good night's sleep without worrying about when and if the American Government would come calling in retaliation for what he had done.

That fear and the paranoia it wrought was something that he warred with constantly. He wondered who he could trust. To make matters worse, he also had to deal with all the other cartels and their bids to fill the vacuum created by Ramone Ramirez's demise.

The Colombian Cartels seemed to have become emboldened by their belief that it was only a matter of time before the U.S. came to take Tito out. Killing Ramone and Cesar was something that marked him for death in the minds of the Cali and Medellin leadership, and their audacity galled Tito.

What they hadn't anticipated was that Tito was far more resourceful and cunning than any of his predecessors. He wove webs of deceit that always kept him three steps ahead where others only saw one.

He was a survivor and a brilliant strategist, and he would show everyone, especially the Colombian Cartels, just how cunning he truly was.

At the same time that he considered this, he smiled ruefully at the devious plans that he had in store for them. He would kill two birds with one stone and complete the deadly task of expanding his empire by digging his claws into the wealthy pockets of American society on every conceivable level.

Standing, Tito quickly dressed and walked through the large house that overlooked the Bay of Guanabara in Rio de Janero. He took a moment to enjoy the view before heading into the kitchen.

Madris saw him coming and tapped the chef who scurried about gathering the meal he prepared as if he were doing so for a five star restaurant. She stood over his shoulder complaining about this and that, constantly haranguing the man, and Tito smiled at the motherly care she took to make certain that his every desire was catered to with explicit detail.

Seeing the man sweating profusely under her watchful gaze, he interrupted her, Madris, you must let the man cook! That's why you lost your last husband. You wouldn't let the man be!

Madris stared with a sardonic look before gathering up a large silver tray and moving toward the double doors leading out onto a patio where Rico sat waiting.

This is my kitchen. I know what you like, and I will see it done right. She explained under her breath in rapid Spanish as she waited for Felix, a house guard, to open the door for her to set the table.

The poor chef Carlito who had been Madris's husband for only 2 years nodded appreciatively at the respite he had been given from his wife's incessant nagging. Tito gave the man a sympathetic pat on the back before following in Madris's wake. He could see Rico sitting by an infinity pool sipping a cup of coffee while he waited.

Rico! Tito greeted as he stepped out onto the patio and took in the fresh morning air. I think today will be a beautiful day!

Rico stood and straightened the suit on his wiry frame. Good morning boss. He replied as he bowed slightly at the waist in deference to Tito.

Sit man, sit. You look as if you've had a long night. Tito admonished him while taking a seat in a white wrought iron chair across from Rico.

Madris floated in and began pouring Tito a cup of coffee. When she was finished she stood back while he tasted. Only when she was certain that it was to his satisfaction did she turn to Rico.

Would you like another cup?

Rico covered the cup protectively with his hand. No thank you Madris. I've been drinking coffee all night. One was enough.

Madris turned up her nose in apparent offense at his refusal, but said nothing.

Will you be having breakfast with us this morning? She asked.

No thank you. I ate on the flight over.

Madris scowled. You ate the airplane food? That is nothing compared to a good home cooked meal! You must eat!

Tito laughed. Madris, you can't force him to eat. He is a grown man!

Madris clucked her tongue and began to make her way back into the kitchen mumbling expletives under her breath.

When the door was closed and only Felix stood outside with them, Tito got down to business.

So tell me Rico, did you face any difficulty in extracting our friend?

We lost 9 of my best men when we hit his compound. The coward was hiding in a safe room that it took nearly 45 minutes to get him to come out of. If it wasn't for us having his two daughters we would've never been able to get him out of there.

Tito rubs his chin. Then our intelligence was right. No ordinary banker needs that kind of protection unless he has concerns about being kidnapped for ransom, or he is extremely valuable to the cartels.

"Oh, he was definitely under the protection of the cartels. We interrogated some of his men and they were hired by Ramone before he died. Some of them I worked with on other operations while I was on Cesar's staff as security.

Others were men he probably hired personally to protect him after Ramone's death. He hadn't anticipated us knowing that he held the bank for Ramone's little operation though.

Do you think he will do what we need him to do or will we have to kill him?

Rico pondered the question a moment before giving his answer.

In all honesty, his weakness is his family. He is a greedy bastard, but my intelligence tells me that he loves those two little girls and that young wife of his.

Then we’ll use his weakness and break him. But we must also focus on other matters. What is the situation with the Ambassador?

Hollingsworth?

Yes. We cannot underestimate such a man. To accomplish what he did may make him a formidable adversary in the future.

Rico laughed. I don't think that will be a problem boss. He had his own money tied up with Ramone's. With the exposure that resulted from his death and his complicity in that scandal, I don't think we'll have trouble out of him.

Tito looked at him condescendingly. Never underestimate such a man! His greed and ambition makes him formidable. Perhaps we can use those vices against him as well.

Rico folded his legs and looked out across the bay as Madris came back onto the veranda with trays of food on a small metal cart. She first served Tito his breakfast. While she did this, Tito turned to Felix. Tell Juan to bring our guests out here.

Felix turned and entered the double doors to convey Tito's message. Madris was not far behind the man after providing Tito his meal.

Tito looked back at Rico. What I want you to do is establish contact with the man when you get into the states. If we can get what we need from Renaldo, then we'll use those accounts to start setting everything up that we discussed. But I want Hollingsworth on board if we can use him. If not, kill him. Understood?

Rico nodded. I'll take care of it. You can count on me.

I'll send you some help once you get situated, but we must move slowly.

As he finished Juan came out of the kitchen following a man and a woman who both looked like they had not had any sleep in days. Juan made them stand just outside the door waiting for Tito to summon them.

Tito rose with Rico following his lead. Ah, Mr. Alvarez. We meet at last. Come. Sit with us. We were just talking about you.

Juan pushed the man forward, and when he had taken a few hesitant steps, Rico grabbed him and forcibly sat him in the chair he had just got up from.

Tito sat down and casually crossed his legs while the woman stood trembling next to Juan by the door. Despite being a mess as far as clothing was concerned, Tito could see that the man was clean cut with jet black hair that was generously interspersed with gray at his temples. He was a pudgy man with cracked circular glasses that perched precariously on his nose.

The man still wore his pajamas as did the wife who stood in a tattered night gown. She unconsciously clutched the garment protectively to herself.

Seeing that Tito was in no rush to address him, Renaldo Alvarez tried to take the initiative.

Who are you people? WHY am I here?

Tito pushed aside his plate and leaned forward to smile in the man's face without giving him an answer.

Someone better tell me something! The man bellowed as he banged his fist on the glass and wrought iron table indignantly. 

Rico immediately reached inside his jacket and grabbed the handle of the gun he kept concealed there. The butt of it made contact with the back of the man's head in one vicious blow. Blood leaked down the back of his neck as he slipped in and out of consciousness. While his head rolled, Tito caught glimpses of skull and white meat where his head had been split open and chuckled.

Noooo! His wife screamed. Please don't kill my husband!

Juan cold cocked the woman knocking her to the ground with a hard punch to the side of her face. The woman collapsed like a sack of flour and Tito was momentarily distracted as two young girls ran to the double doors and began crying at what was being done to their mother and father.

Felix ushered the two girls away from the door.

Well, it seems we've got a family reunion. Isn't this sweet! He announced smiling at Rico.

Wake that bitch up.

Rico smacked and shook Renaldo Alvarez. Get up motherfucker!

The man awoke and reached for the wound on his head. Rico handed him a tissue to staunch the bleeding, and when Tito was certain that the man was conscious, he spoke in a soothing voice.

Mr. Alvarez, I am sorry for the disconcerting way that you and your family had to be brought to this meeting, but it would be prudent for you to restrain your anger.

The man's eyes lit up with outrage. Do you know who I am? Do you know what will happen to you if anything happens to me? I-

Tito raised one hand to stop Rico as he drew back to assault the man again. The man cringed in fear as he looked over and saw Juan had extracted his own gun, grabbed his wife by her hair and pointed the weapon into the woman's mouth.

Yes Mr. Alvarez, Tito continued, I do know who you are, and I know who you were affiliated with. The question is, do you understand your current predicament, OR who I AM?

Renaldo looked at Tito incredulously having grown accustomed over the years to people respecting his authority. I don't care who you are! I am-

Tito cut him off before the arrogant fool gave him more reason to kill him on the spot before he had what he wanted from him.

I am Tito Mendez.

Renaldo Alvarez froze as the name registered in his mind. Tito watched with a perverse joy as the fear erupted in the man's eyes. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead and a visible quiver took control of his lower lip.

Mr... Mr. Mendez, I... I am sorry....Sorry Sir. I didn't know it was you sir. I know this man behind me used to work for President Cesar Calazar. I assumed that this was some type of petty kidnapping. I am so sorry!

Rico laughed as Tito gave him the unfortunate news of what was really going on.

Rico here was a part of President Cesar Calazar's team, but he worked for me. Always has.

Renaldo Alvarez looked back and forth at the two men finally grasping the magnitude of his situation.

Never the less, it is good for us to finally meet face to face Mr. Alvarez. I brought you here because we have much to discuss. I believe that you might be of some help to me in an endeavor that I have in mind.

Renaldo began to wring his hands nervously as his scalp flapped in the breeze where Rico had struck him.

Ah Mr. Mendez, I would be glad to offer my services. As you know, my bank offers numerous investment opportunities. We would love to have your business. You could've come to my office anytime.

Tito's smile resembled a predatory animal's.

That is quite nice of you. However, I do not plan on bringing my business to your bank. I am interested in other patrons of yours, and the services that you have provided to them.

Renaldo Alvarez was dumbfounded. But Mr. Mendez, surely you understand that bank policy prohibits my discussing matters concerning another client. Besides that, discussing their private affairs would mean some of my clients would kill me!

Tito's smile grew wider. Oh, I know that. That's why you're here. You see, you either work for me or I'll kill you.

Renaldo was at a loss for words. Tito nodded seeing that the man was starting to get the picture.

I'll take your silence as consent that you understand why I've brought you to Brazil, and why you and your family aren't already dead. Now, shall we get down to business?

Renaldo dabbed the back of his head as he looked back at a stoic Rico cradling his gun. He could still feel blood running down the back of his neck.

There wasn't any escaping his predicament. He had been taken right under the nose of the other cartels, and God only knew if they had the capacity to retrieve him. He didn't want to take that kind of a chance with his or his family's life.

Okay! Just tell me what you want from me!

Tito pointed to Juan. Call Madris.

Juan turned and tapped the window to get Madris's attention. She stuck her head out and showed no indication one way or the other she even noticed the woman down on her knees with Juan's gun in her mouth.

Yes Mr. Mendez?

Prepare a plate for our guest and give him some ice. We don't want our friend to feel unwelcomed.

Madris nodded and quietly closed the door.

Tito leaned up on the table and rested himself on his elbows. Mr. Alvarez, I know the other cartels used you as their bank. You held all of the cartels' money and worked directly with Soto Ramirez to clean the money you gathered from them. What I want is access to all that money.

Renaldo sputtered. But Mr. Mendez, if I do that then the other cartels will kill me for sure!

Tito shook his head. No they won't because without you, they can never find their money. According to my estimates, you have 1.9 Billion dollars of their money hidden in varying accounts. Now either you give me control of those accounts or die. The choice is simple. Either way, I cripple them and still get what I want.

But if I do that, then no one will want to do business with me. Ever! I'll be ruined!

Tito's countenance shifted lightning quick. I don't give a fuck about anyone else. You only work for me now! You think you have a choice? Let me show you what your choices are just in case I'm not making myself clear!

He looked at Juan. Bring that bitch over here!

Juan dragged the woman kicking and screaming. Tito stood up from the table as Rico grabbed Renaldo by the collar. The couple was made to kneel side by side as Tito stood in front of them with his hand on his hip.

He grabbed the wife by her chin. Your wife has a lovely mouth. Rico, do you like her mouth?

Rico nodded vigorously. The daughters both have their mother's pretty mouth too.

The woman moaned in terror pleading through her split lip. Please! Don't hurt my babies! Renaldo! Don't let them hurt them!

Renaldo pissed his pants, His wife cringed at his cowardice while Rico and Tito laughed at him.

I could kill you, your wife and lovely daughters. I will not be disrespected in my own home! You will give me access to every fucking account, every investment, and every company that they own or die. I won't ask again.

I'll do it! Just don't kill us! Please! He screamed.

Tito spit in his face. I don't forgive disrespect. Rico will have one week with your wife for your insolence. We'll keep your daughters until you learn how to act. If you do not learn to do as I say, I will give your daughters and your wife to my men, and make you watch until they beg to die. Is that understood?

I'll do what you want. Please just forgive me!

Take her away Rico and enjoy yourself. I will see you before you leave.

Rico grabbed the woman and started dragging her across the patio as Renaldo wept helplessly.

Tito sat down in the chair Renaldo previously occupied so that he could meet the man at eye level. Satisfied that he had sufficiently gained the upper hand, Tito got down to business. Now, here is what I want you to do.

As he gave the man instructions, he could hear the horrified screams of his wife pleading for him to save her while Madris set a plate of food for him. 

Chapter 1 

William Cohen stood in front of a full length mirror examining his tuxedo as his partner