Mateo's P.o.v
I sat at the back of my sleek black sedan, gazing at the endless stretch of open road. Pablo was sitting beside me and together with my entourage of heavily armed guards, we head for Guzman with only one purpose in mind; to negotiate a fragile peace treaty with the "Sinaloa."
I had arrived in Italy and the situation at hand needed immediate action. According to Pablo, Guzman has stopped us from passing his territory even with the high taxes he's been getting and it is starting to get out of hand.
We approached the outskirts of the Sinaloa territory and the air grew thick with tension. Our convoy slowed to a crawl as we entered the heart of Sinaloa territory. The streets were eerily deserted, and the only sound was the soft hum of the engines.
Suddenly, a Sinaloa soldier emerged from the shadows, his eyes locked on me. "You're a long way from home, Mateo," he sneered.
I've come to talk business, my friend. Let's not make this any more complicated than it needs to be. I'm here for Guzman.
The Sinaloa guard hesitated, and then stepped aside, allowing our convoy to pass. My men exchanged uneasy glances as we proceeded deeper into our enemy's territory.
Our destination loomed ahead; the Sinaloa's imposing fortress-like mansion. My sedan came to a halt before the heavily reinforced gates. With a deep breath, I exited the vehicle, flanked by my loyal guards. The Sinaloa patriarch, the ruthless and cunning Guzman, awaited us atop the steps.
"Welcome, Mateo," Guzman said, his voice dripping with malice and disregarding Pablo's presence. "I've been expecting you. Let's discuss the terms of our agreement, shall we?"
"I'm all ears, Guzman," I smiled slyly, my eyes locked down on our enemy. "Let's get down to business."
Guzman, Pablo and I sat across from each other in opulent study with our respective entourages standing guard outside. The air was filled with tension as we began our negotiations.
"I'm willing to offer you a significant share of our territory's profits," Guzman said with a trace of insincerity in his voice." In exchange, you'll agree to cease hostilities and recognize our dominance in the region.
Pablo chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement and on my order he continued the conversation. "You think we can be easily bought? we have a counter offer; we'll agree to a temporary truce, but only if you agree to our terms."
Guzman's expression darkened. "I'm listening."
"We want a guarantee of safe passage for our men and cargo through your territory," he said with firmness in his voice. "And we want a significant reduction in the taxes you've been imposing on our businesses."
Guzman snorted and turned to face me instead. "You're pushing your luck, Mateo. I can offer you safe passage, but the taxes will remain in place. Take it or leave it."
The Sinaloa territory is one of the largest routes that give easy and conceited access to our customers and not being reasonable with Guzman may ruin a lot of opportunities for us. I just have to deal with his offer at the moment until I figure out something.
Fine we have a deal!
"What?" Pablo's eye widened in shock.
Guzman turned to face Pablo this time. "What? Are you surprised? You have been nothing but an ass-licker who knows nothing about business," Guzman let out a devious laugh.
"Don't," I stopped Pablo from his attempt to hit Guzman. "We are in a temporary truce remember, so let's just enjoy this little ceasefire while it lasts."
Following the finalization of the details of agreement in presence of our consiglieres, I shook hands with Guzman, but Pablo didn't perhaps because he used to work for him before working for my father and there was obviously beef between them, It has been that way ever since.
One more thing, next time on your attempt to see the end of me, try using some trained personnel and not the amateur you sent the other time.
"I'm not a coward, Mateo. You of all people should know that. If I wanted to, I'd do that to your face and with my hands," Guzman said sipping at his drink. "Perhaps, I'm not the only enemy you should be looking out for."
My men formed a tight perimeter around me and Pablo and as we exited Guzman's mansion, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of treachery.
As we move away from the Sinaloa stronghold, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. I answered, listening intently to the voice on the other end.
"What is it?" I asked in a sharp tone.
The voice responded, and my expression darkened. "I see, keep digging. I want to know everything."
I ended the call, my mind racing with the implications of the call I had received.
Jason is not just one of my boys, but one of my trusted informants. He had infiltrated Sinaloa at great personal risk. And what he had discovered was shocking.
Guzman was playing a double game, pretending to negotiate a truce with me while secretly planning a devastating attack on my empire. Jason had uncovered evidence of a massive arms shipment, one that would give Sinaloa the firepower they needed to wipe us out once and for all.
My eyes narrowed, and my jaw clenched in anger. I had known that Guzman was not to be trusted, but I had had hope that our temporary truce would hold.
Now, I know that I need to act fast. I can't let Guzman get the upper hand. I can't let him win, not when the stakes are high. "Get me Sam on the phone, Pablo," I barked at Pablo as a pool of anger flow through me. "It's time to show that old coot what I'm made of."