August
Control. I’d lost control with her already. The thought was intriguing as well as troublesome. I refused weakness in everyone who worked for me as well as myself and I’d fallen into a black hole, taking her. Fucking her.
And more than once.
I’d succumbed to her ravishing beauty and the dark desires that I’d had since the very first time I’d laid eyes on her. The corner bar months before had been a place of respite, allowing me to enjoy my drink of choice without prying eyes. Her entrance had caught my eye, her alluring smile as she passed by several admirers sizzling my desires. I hadn’t attempted to talk with her, merely regarded from afar but on that night, I knew I had to have her.
Devour her.
Take what didn’t belong to me.
The nagging in my mind pecked at me, reminding me that I actually cared about her.
I hissed, clenching my fists as I was drawn back into the reality of my life. Another day had dawned. Too bad it wasn’t paradise.
“What do you want to do with him, boss?” Bruno asked casually.
The question was repetitive, another aspect of human nature that I loathed. I glared at the sweaty pig crouched on his knees. Marco was whimpering like the dumb slob he really was. He’d attempted to steal from me, kiting money as if I wouldn’t find out. Ten G’s wasn’t much, but enough to draw my attention instead of the soldiers I employed. I couldn’t tolerate his actions any more than I could Sasha’s rebellious bullshit.
For every misplaced action there was a direct consequence. Everyone knew this in my world. Those who didn’t follow it would end up dead and dumped in the woods, ready for critters to feast on them. There were days I longed to be a dentist, maybe a doctor. Too bad my grades hadn’t warranted a stint in medical school.
Growling, I placed the barrel of my gun against his forehead. Bruno had worked him over, one eye swollen, blood trickling down the side of his face, and his lip busted wide open. There were times I felt I needed to discuss anger management with him.
“No, please don’t, Mr. Gonzalez . I’m sorry. I’m so fuckin’ sorry,” Marco pleaded.
The two soldiers flanking my side grinned, shifting back and forth. “And why should I give a shit about your apology?”
“Because…” he sputtered, daring to lift his head and try to find my eyes.
I jammed the barrel forward, almost knocking him over. “Answer the damn question.”
“There’s another group trying to muscle in.” Dear God, the fucking man was going to burst into tears. There was nothing worse than a crying fuck, begging for their life. Still, his words piqued my interest.
“Meaning?”
“They threatened me. They know everything about you, how you work.” By now, the asshole’s body was shaking. “I just gave them some money to leave me alone.”
“You didn’t think I was going to find out, Marco?”
He shook his head then nodded, blubbering as his body slumped. “I’m sorry, boss. Please don’t kill me.”
I thought about what Marco was saying. The rumor mill about a local gang trying to muscle in had been around for a few months, but this was a medium level shithead, running drugs out of a coffee shop, the front one of the most brilliant in my mind. Millennial regular customers on both fronts. The gangs running the dirty streets were little more than thugs, hooked on the same shit they were selling. This was a fascinating evolution.
My thoughts drifted to the area near Sasha’s apartment. Same shitheads. Or were they?
“I say we finish him off,” Jo-Jo snarked. A made man, his mouth had gotten him into trouble more than once.
“And I didn’t ask for your advice. Now, did I?”
Bruno pulled me aside. The man had worked for me for years, more of a trusted advisor than any consigliere. Angelo joined us, the capo aggressive but intelligent, garnering the respect of almost every soldier in the ranks. “We heard some shit was going down at a few of the casinos as well.” Bruno kept his voice down. “Not just ours either. Chicago has been hit bad.”
Lorenzo must be reeling. Not that I minded, but when the shit rolled uphill to my part of the world, it was time to take notice. Rock heads. It had been a while since blood rained on the streets. Maybe the time was right to send a message. A careful one.
I glanced at Angelo, who nodded. “Don’t like what we’re hearing. Whoever these fuckers are, they’re pushing Ecstasy laced with some dirty shit. They have some high rollers including a few celebrities, politicians, the usual.” Angelo’s gruff voice was laced with his own anger, his daughter having fallen prey to street drugs two years before.
I shot another sideways glance at Marco. I always knew when the fuckers were lying. The guy was on the up and up, terrified of the thugs who’d threatened him. “They’re bringing it into the casinos.” A risky move taking some serious balls.
“That’s what we heard,” Bruno snarked. “Marco might be of some help, if you can trust him.”
The man had a good point. I already had enough shit going down in the casinos. I nodded, chuckling under my breath. Two-bit assholes thought they could take on the mob. I’d play along. What the hell.
I weighed my options. If word got out on the street I’d allowed a thief to go without punishment, even the street gangs would believe they had an in because of… weakness. Fuck that. “I tell you what, Marco. You’re going to lure these boys into your shop. Put out the word you have some fresh powder and you gotta sell. When they come snooping, you’re going to call me. You’re going to find out what you can, but don’t push your luck.” This could work, as long as Marco followed orders.
Marco jerked his head, gasping for air. I wasn’t sure whether he was going to burst into tears or some tirade. “Thank you, Mr. Gonzalez . I won’t let you down. I swear to God.”
I shoved the gun into my waistband. “You better not, Marco. Very few men ever get a second chance. If you fuck with me this time, there’s an oil barrel with your name on it. Do you know how long it takes to suffocate in a tight drum?” I didn’t need to say any more, his horrified expression registering how serious I was. I turned my attention back to Bruno. “Set it up, Bruno. Keep your eye on Marco. You know what to do. And clean him up, for God’s sake. He runs a legitimate business on our turf.”
The last thing I needed was my casino fucked with, including any hint of illegal activity. I might have Drummand under my thumb, but there were plenty of legislators who needed a win and taking down the Gonzalez family would certainly bode well for their career advancement.
“You got it, boss.” Bruno grinned, showing off his ragged teeth. He was as brutal as his name suggested but the best soldier on my team.
“I think I’ll make a special trip to Club Med tomorrow night.” The casino had been taken over by my father a few years before, close to a million spent on renovation. The upscale facility drew in celebrities and powerful influencers night after night. I couldn’t pass by the opportunity to ensure our regime continued to have a firm hold. The two-year anniversary of the relaunch would certainly bring in the rich and famous.
The lure powerful for scums longing to make a fortune.
“Excellent idea, boss,” Bruno said, grinning. “Let me take care of this and I’ll make special arrangements.”
“Then get back to the house. I want you with my guest at all times.” I’d left a soldier at the house, one who was wet behind the ears. I was a cautious man, protective to a fault.
He seemed surprised. “Are you afraid of her safety or just trying to run?”
“Just a bad feeling, Bruno.”
“I’ll protect her with my life.”
And I knew he would.