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Prologue

Maxio Villarreal rode the elevator to the top of his building, his anger al the tedious flight from Florida The Keys were always beautiful, but he was relieved to be back in his office in Houston even if he was about to blow a fuse from the information he’d stumbled upon while in Florida He strode down the corridor, barely glancing at his secretary who manned his inner sanctum as he barked, “I want Luis Diaz in my office, now”

After ten years, Carol Jennings was used to his ways and wasn’t flustered in the least “Yes, sir”

He slammed the door between them and stalked to the bank of s that overlooked the western skyline of don The sky was a cloudless blue, the weather more than pleasant, but he saw none of that His mind wasn’t on the beauty of the day or even on the appointments he had scheduled for that afternoon; he was too pissed to concentrate on anything else He was so enraged he could taste it

He was out for fucking blood and he wanted it, now

As he stood with his legs braced apart, he atte in his head, but it was useless At the knock on his door, he turned and barked, “Enter” Carol opened the door, allowing Luis Diaz to walk into his office

Fro the door and leaving Max alone with the younger ate Luis Diaz stood still, barelyfor itself The nervousness the in to appease the hot rush of anger he was feeling He cracked his knuckles, forcing hie to launch himself at the otherinto a snarl as he tilted his head, indicating one of two chairs that faced his desk

Diaz glanced at hi a seat

Max re, his hands fisted at his sides while he stared at the youngerunco his e out, “What is it that you do for me? What do I pay you for?”

Themanner, “I monitor the Rule Corporation’s movements, sir”

“Yes, you do—that’s the one assign the Rule Corporation and their cutthroat business practices” Max felt his tension rise another notch “I pay you a shit fuck ton of money so I can stay at least three steps ahead of those ht?”