‘Things change,’ Sykes said coldly. ‘You either need to embrace that or step aside. It was something Wyatt would never understand.’

‘I heard such stories.’ Vasquez spoke eloquently, his English as fluent as his Spanish. ‘When we were expanding into America, the rumours were that the Riders would crash down on us like the wrath of God himself. But bit by bit, as we moved further and further out, this day did not come.’

‘Believe me’ – Sykes smiled – ‘I pushed for it.’

Vasquez laughed again, reaching into his pocket and removing his gold-plated cigar case. It was a show of power and wealth, one which clearly appealed to Sykes, and Vasquez opened it and offered Sykes first pick. Greedily accepting the offer, Sykes took a cigar and then watched as Vasquez snapped the case shut, swiftly followed by him trimming the cigar with a gold clipper.

‘You can expect ten shipments within the next month,’ Vasquez began, tossing Sykes the clipper before striking a match. He allowed the flame to engulf the edge of the cigar, luxuriating the fine flavour as the smoke billowed from his lips. ‘I appreciate you need time to reorganise your men, but we cannot stop production. I need to know that won’t be a problem.’

With a cocky swagger, Sykes sat back in his chair and let the thick, grey smoke flow from his mouth and combine with Vasquez’s. A horrible tribute to their unholy union.

‘Look at what I did to Wyatt.’ Sykes smirked. ‘If people don’t fall in line, then I’ll make them. Or I’ll kill them. Simple.’

Vasquez raised his glass.

‘I think we’ll get along just fine.’

Sykes reciprocated by lifting his beer, trying his best to hide the smile that threatened to creep across his bearded face. While Vasquez was celebrating their union, Sykes was already wondering how far down the road they would have to travel together before he could realistically throw Vasquez to the wolves.

In Sykes’s mind, this partnership was temporary.

A mere steppingstone until he was the dominant force atop an extraordinary empire.

But for now, as he toasted his new partner, he would share that infamy with the man across the table from him.

‘I trust you have my money?’ Vasquez stated casually.

‘Yes, it’s with Sinclair,’ Sykes responded. ‘I’m still on the fence about whether we kill him or not.’

‘Meh. He is insignificant.’ Vasquez waved his hand dismissively. ‘Pay him his money and let him rot under the weight of his own guilt. If he comes back asking for me, my boys will put him to work.’

‘Greed is a dangerous trait.’

‘As we both know.’ Vasquez smiled.

‘Jose, as a gift for our partnership, I would like to offer you the opportunity of killing Wyatt.’ Sykes shrugged. ‘Let him look into your eyes so he knows his final act on this planet was falling to you.’