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before not to let your jealousy lead you into making false statements. Can you prove that Nikolos provided information to the authorities that led them to carry out the raid?”
    “No, but—”
    “Has there ever been proof that Nikolos has deliberately harmed any portion of my business?”
    “Well, no. But—”
    Alvarez sighed. “Miguel, this is the last time I will speak to you of this. If you do not have proof, I do not wish to hear your jealous speculations. Nikolos is my most trusted lieutenant and my intended heir. You insult me and my judgment when you imply that he is working against me. Do you not think I would know if Nikolos intended to betray me? We are in a dangerous, volatile industry. Losses are to be expected.”
    Miguel’s face flushed red and a vein throbbed along his temple, but he wisely remained silent. Alvarez understood that Niko’s fast rise within the organization angered many of his long-time employees. But from the day Alvarez had brought Niko in at age nineteen, fresh out of prison and so full of anger and resentment, he’d excelled at every task set before him.
    Except for one.
    Alvarez almost smiled, but did not want Miguel to think he was being mocked.
    When he recruited Niko, Alvarez had admired the young man’s strong sense of honor. It was one of the characteristics he most prized among his compatriots. Yet at the same time, he loved to push Niko to the boundaries of that honor. He took great pride in manipulating Niko into taking action he despised in order to protect his aunt.
    The one line Niko would not cross was to hurt a woman or a child. He’d refused to have anything to do with the prostitution side of the business. Alvarez respected Niko’s firm stance on the issue. Over the past year, in fact, Alvarez had divested the organization of all such businesses. Because he fully intended for Niko to take over once he was gone.
    The doctors had told Alvarez years ago, before his wife died, that he was sterile. His deceased older brother had no surviving children, and their once extensive extended family had long since dwindled due to disease and violent death. Leaving Galena Andros and her children as Alvarez’s only living relatives.
    He was old-fashioned enough to want to pass on his business to a blood relative.
    After the failed escape attempt three months ago, and Niko’s branding, the man had lost even a hint of his previous defiance. While Alvarez missed the challenge of working around Niko’s reluctance, he had to admit that Niko’s subservience had resulted in an improved working relationship. He no longer had any doubts that making Niko his heir was the right choice. He loved Niko like a son, and the man had given him no reason to doubt his loyalty.
    “And what of the product that is scheduled to go through the lost route?” Miguel demanded.
    “Hold it until we find another route that can handle the extra load. You are dismissed, Miguel.”
    “ Sí, jefe .”
    Alvarez waited while the man let himself out. The truth was that he didn’t believe Niko capable of such a betrayal. The man was too entrenched in his position of power to risk damaging the organization. Besides, as long as Alvarez had Madalena Andros under his control, he owned Niko. The man wouldn’t risk his aunt’s life for petty revenge.
    Miguel, on the other hand, was perfectly capable of tipping off the authorities and setting it up to make Niko look guilty. The man’s initial jealousy had turned into overt hostility as Niko rose within the organization.
    None of the recent losses had been severe enough to provide more than a temporary inconvenience. In truth, the police raids had culled the weakest areas of his organization, leaving it leaner and stronger. For that Alvarez was almost grateful.
    Nonetheless, if the internal investigation revealed that Miguel had set up the raids, he would be punished.
    One Year Later
    Andes Mountains, Peru
    N iko paced inside his office within Alvarez’s