"Allies from Taylor are dropping like flies—they are all in sheer panic," Jose told me, entering the executive office where I sat behind a desk, busy reviewing tactical reports while nursing a glass of dark whiskey. "Some of them are desperately begging to speak with you," he added.

"I'm not accepting a single one of them," I said, setting the glass down onto the wood with a  clack. "Tell them if they want me to spare their lives, they should pack their bags, leave America immediately, and never come back," I added, raising my head to hold his gaze.

"We need to use this power vacuum to completely dominate the...