Chapter 83: Diogo
"You will produce my wife in the next two minutes or I will be forced to make a move against the Warlord of this Sanctuary." Though I am a cauldron of raging emotion, I manage to keep my voice low and even. Facing off with me is the second-in-command of Santa Fe Sanctuary. His broad shoulders are stiff, and like a good soldier, he gives nothing away in his expression.
"He's unwilling to grant an audience at the moment." The soldier, Wolfe, glances past me toward Stryker who's standing silently, his arms over his chest. I know my man well. If I choose to attack, choose to cut Wolfe down and force my way into the fortress, Stryker would have my back.
I pace, forcing my brain to work through the problem. The fact that my wife is on the other side of the gates is twisting all of my thoughts, making me reckless. I want to cut a bloody path to her side, fling her over my shoulder and leave without a backward glance. I don't give a fuck about actually meeting with the Warlord, but I'm trying diplomacy first. But first, I need to calm down so I can plan and negotiate.
I stop pacing and turn to Wolfe. "If you do not produce my wife within the next few minutes, I will leave, and I promise that you do not want this. Because when I return, I'll have an army. Men skilled in the art of war. Men with nothing and no one to lose. They'll take this city apart, brick by brick until they find my woman and then they'll burn the rest."
He twitches, his chin moving as though he wants to say something.
"Have you heard of me?" I demand.
"Yes." He nods and stiffens his posture. "Everyone has heard of Warlord Fuentes. You held the border during the Mexican horde war."
"That is only one of my achievements," I snarl. "I took my own father's Sanctuary apart and burned the rubble, giving him no recourse. He was the most brutal, most awe-inspiring opponent I've ever stood against. He invited me to take his city. I did, and then I left, not wanting a dead, burned out shell. I moved West until I found a Sanctuary I wanted and then I took it."
Nothing passes through his stoic green gaze, not surprise, not fear or respect. Just brooding acceptance.
"If you know of me, then you know how serious I am right now. You either find and present my wife or prepare your city for death."
I turn on my heel and walk away from the man, Stryker following.
"Was that a smart choice?" Stryker grunts as we make our way beyond the city walls and back to the vehicle. "You didn't give them anything to bargain with and, at the moment, you hold the vulnerable position. It'll be a different story when the men show up, but they ain't here yet."
"They won't take me out. I hold too much territory, too much loyalty." I jerk the door open and slide into the jeep. "Striking out at me would be suicide."
If Stryker disagrees, he doesn't say anything. He just gets in the car and leans back in his seat, closing his eyes. We don't have long to wait. The huge city gates swing back open at the same time as the dust cloud of my backup rises on the horizon behind us, filling the landscape with my promise of retribution of the coming negotiation doesn't go my way.
I want my wife. There will be no other outcome.
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