ROMANTIC SUSPENSE : DEATH WHISPERED SOFTLY Read Online Free PDF Page B

restaurant. Steve figured that if the restaurant was a happening place, with much appreciated cuisine and profitable, he could go on to duplicate the business model and open his restaurants all over America—much like other top corporations in the food industry had done.  America was the land of opportunity, and Steve wanted his share—he wanted a piece from the pie.
    Although the thought of establishing a chain of restaurants in California was exciting, Steve was acutely aware of the challenges it involved.  The first and foremost of them being the fact that he was still a part of a notorious Los Angeles gang for a good ten years---- something he now was desperate to quit and move on. He wanted to break free from the gang but he knew it would not be easy. There were some major hitches. The first was he had to leave without causing too much strife. The other members wouldn’t take kindly to the fact that Steve wanted out. Leaving amounted to betrayal and abandoning the “family”. Steve had discovered the world of gangs was a one way street. Although it was easy to get in, it was virtually impossible to get out while still breathing! The remaining members considered every gang member’s exit not only a betrayal but a genuine threat to their own existence, since the outgoing member could so easily share the secrets of the gang with other rivals and even the cops. Often an outgoing member was found dead after trying to leave his gang. Steve knew he had to play this one very cautiously, lest he invoke their ire (and consequent) retaliation of the “family”.
    “How the hell can I get out of this setup without getting my throat slit?” he wondered. 
     
        After much contemplation Steve hit upon a solution. The leader of their gang, Armando Gutiérrez, was extremely close to Steve’s buddy Carlo—the dude who had introduced Steve to the gang and helped him join. Ironically he would be the one who would help him get out of it, Steve figured. Steve knew Carlo liked him enormously, considered him a brother and would certainly help him. One day he confided with Carlo and expressed his desire to leave the gang, so that he could follow his dreams of making it big in the world of business. Although Carlo did not approve of what Steve was determined to do, he wanted to help his friend. So he went and spoke to the gang leader Armando Gutiérrez. Gutierrez was immediately suspicious when he heard of Steve’s desire to leave the gang. But Carlo explained the reason why Steve wanted to leave the gang. Armando had lead his gang for over seven years now and during these years he had discovered Steve to be one of the most loyal members, who was efficient, obedient and trustworthy. Armando knew that Steve was not one of those people who would squeal to the cops. If this man wanted to leave the gang it could only be to start a new life and follow his dreams as he claims.  Although Steve had always carried out the gang’s orders obediently loyally and diligently Armando clearly saw that he didn’t belong here—in their world.  He knew that Steve was much different than the other members. Armando Gutierrez was a hardened criminal, but he was a good judge of people. He knew that Steve would never betray the gang and its members. Despite the type of work he did, Steve possessed that rare blend of character, and trustworthiness.  Armando knew this soft-spoken man, would prefer to die than to sell out his friends. In his years as the leader of the gang, Armando had recognized that it would be just a matter of time before he would tire of the life he led and break free from the gang. And he recognized that time had arrived.
    One day he took Steve out for a drink to one of the gang’s favorite bars, and after a few drinks, much to Steve’s surprise, told him he was free to leave and assured him there would be no retaliation from the gang or its members, provided he keeps his mouth shut about the secrets and activities of the