The Guardian (The Wolfe Series) Read Online Free Page B

operations stretching from the Rio Grande to deep into Central America.
    C rótalo moved into towns or cities where they would carry out shakedowns and other crimes. They were aided by a network of spies called “hawks”, young men and women who soon became the eyes and ears of the cartel.
    The Crótalo stronghold in northeastern Mexico included some of the most sought-after trafficking routes into the United States and as a result that country was offering a five-million dollar reward for Luzaro’s capture as head of the Crótalo.
    Luzaro shook his head knowing that his chances of ever getting out of the drug business were zero.  He glanced at his second-in-command from beneath long, dark lashes.  Even though Enrique had laughed, that laughter never touched his eyes, reptilian eyes that never seemed to blink, eyes that could look straight through a man and determine his intentions long before the man knew them himself.  Enrique was a tall, good-looking man if you could look past those reptilian eyes.  Many a woman had succumbed to his charm only to pay for that mistake with their lives.  He had always been indispensable to the Crótalo and willing to do the unspeakable things necessary to maintain their hold on the local population as well as to put fear in the hearts of other rival cartel members.  Luzaro also knew there would come a time when he would have to dispose of the man.  Enrique was too clever and too ruthless not to try and take over as leader of the Crótalo some day.  Luzaro would gladly allow him that honor but knew that Enrique would never allow him to live if he did.
    “I’m tired, my friend,” Luzaro said as he turned back toward the armored Hummer that had brought him to this place of death.  “Let’s get out of here.”
    “You’ll feel better once we get to New York,” Enrique placed his arm around the other man’s shoulders.  “Beautiful women abound there.  You’ll be able to find someone to bring you out of these doldrums you’ve slipped into the past few weeks.”
    Luzaro sighed and said, “Maybe you’re right.” 
    “You’ll see,” Enrique said as he turned and walked toward his own vehicle. 
    Luzaro didn ’t think so as he walked toward the Hummer and waited while one of his bodyguards opened the door for him.  Very little tempted him these days.  He was used to beautiful women falling at his feet because of his Latin good looks and the billions of dollars that were Crótalo’s share of the U.S. narcotics market.  He wasn’t above using the women to appease his carnal appetites but he didn’t abuse women the way Enrique did.  He liked women, especially tall, statuesque women.  It didn’t bother him if he was shorter than they were.  He was self assured in his ability to handle himself and whatever woman he chose in or out of the bedroom.  But somewhere deep down inside himself he knew that something was missing in all of the beautiful women he’d known.  None of them had held his interest for more than a day or two and he was beginning to wonder if any woman ever would.
    As Luzaro climbed into the Hummer he watched the tires of Enrique’s vehicle spray dirt and rocks over the bodies of the dead as it raced away from the scene of death.  It was at that moment that Luzaro realized he would have to deal with Enrique, and much sooner than he had planned.

C hapte r S ix
     
     
                   S he fell in love with it the moment she saw it.  Crafted from a luxurious blend of cashmere and silk, the slim-fitting Armani halter dress featured an attached scarf that could be tied in a variety of ways.  Normally retailing for twelve hundred dollars, Laurie couldn’t believe the three-hundred dollar thrift store price tag. 
    She had noticed the little thrift shop on her walk to catch the bus each day, tucked discreetly between a deli and a convenience store.  She’d stopped in on her way back from working with Aragon in the hopes of finding