August
Evil. I was the epitome of evil and up until this point had enjoyed the concept. Fuck. Fuck!
I slammed my hand on the desk, my eyes pinned on the photograph. I shouldn’t have shown her the disgusting blackmail piece, destroying what tenable hold she had on her previous reality. I’d gone over the edge, my emotions rolling all over the place. I’d been petrified leaving her behind in the garage, fighting to get back to her. If the assholes who’d invaded the casino had found out she was in the car, I had no doubt they would have taken her as leverage. Things were getting out of hand quickly.
And I still had no knowledge of who the fuck they were.
The asshole that Angelo had killed was nothing more than a street thug, cleaned up for the night’s adventure, but it was easy to tell. The only thing that continued to trouble me was the fact they’d been well organized, able to breach the security of the garage, which would have allowed them into the casino without any questions asked. An insider? Most likely and the entire staff would be questioned.
“Any more information on the assholes?” Bruno asked as he walked into my office.
“Nothing substantial. Several of the bastards got away.” Three of them had been taken out, one of the vehicles confiscated. Unfortunately, a more significant amount of the drugs must have been in the getaway van. Still, perhaps the bag we’d confiscated would put them on edge, even forcing their hand. Angelo had already leaked the information that we had two of their goons on lockdown. He would work on their information skills over night, but I had my doubts they would talk. Now, we had to be prepared for anything.
“Who was the dude you hit?”
I lifted my head, trying to calm my nerves. “No ID and none of the boys had ever seen him before.” I yanked out my phone, eyeing the picture I’d taken. The guy was in his early twenties, his neck and hands covered in tattoos.
“You gonna show that to Marco?” Bruno inched closer, his gaze falling to the shadowed photo.
“Not a bad idea.” I glared at the photo, as if it was going to tell me anything vital.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what did Lorenzo want?”
I’d almost forgotten about my conversation with him. “He wants to find the asshole as much as we do.”
“Does that mean you’re working with him?” I heard the condescending tone in his voice. There wasn’t another man who could get away with that, with the exception of my father.
“Good business decision, Bruno. Shit on the street is we’re being set up for a major fall. That’s not going to happen on my watch.” I flipped through my phone until I found Lorenzo’s phone number, texting him the pictures of the runners.
He snorted and glanced down at the photograph of the senator. “Jesus. Is that Drummand Morales?”
“Yep.” I grabbed the picture and shoved it back in the drawer, loathing my ridiculous behavior even more. She’d admitted her worry and fear and I’d thrown the deal back in her face.
“Fuck me. What in the hell is wrong with people? And those jerks, don’t they have an idea of who you are?”
“Drummand is just a piece of shit harboring secrets. As far as the asshole, he’s someone who doesn’t think very highly of our muscle, my friend.” Or of the power of the Borgata. I tossed the phone on the desk, exhaustion settling in. “You need to make certain you don’t allow Sasha out of your sight. That’s vital, especially in the next few days.” When he didn’t say anything, I glanced in his direction. “Do you need to say something to me?”
He shifted back and forth. “I mean no disrespect, boss, but you’ve been acting entirely different since Sasha came to the house.”
“Meaning?”
Obviously uncomfortable, his face flushed. “Just that you’re losing control. I’ve never seen you so angry.” His eyes opened wide, waiting for some kind of violent rebuff.
“You’re right, Bruno. She managed to get under my skin and that can’t happen, especially right now.”
“Have you been honest with her?”
“Honest?”
He shrugged. “You know, about your life? I think if she gets to know you better, she’ll stop making everything so difficult. She’s scared and doesn’t understand our way of life. She was one protected little girl, I can tell you that much.”
Protected wasn’t exactly the world I’d use. I inhaled, holding my breath as I thought about my answer. “If I include her in every aspect of my business, I have to trust that she’s loyal. Right now? I’m not certain that will ever happen.”
“You know what they say about loyalty, boss. That’s earned.”
The words would forever haunt me. “You’re right.”
“Yeah, I know.” He grinned.
His words allowed me to laugh. “Take her shopping tomorrow. Buy her whatever she wants. I don’t care about the money spent but make certain she’s not out of your sight for a minute. Not a dressing room. Not a bathroom.”
“I think she’d prefer to have you by her side.” He threw up his hands. “Just sayin’, boss. I can tell she digs you.”
I fingered the Glock, also furious that she’d seen a hit. I was absolutely losing my shit. “I seriously doubt that, Bruno. She’s made it very clear that she loathes the ground I walk on.”
“Aww, don’t you know that’s just the way a woman talks when she’s flirting?”
I laughed again. “You are a man of many talents, Bruno. I’ll give you that.”
“I appreciate that. Where are you going to be tomorrow, boss?”
I held the gun into the light, checking the clip then slapping it secure. “I’m going hunting.”