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The smokey haze hasn’t cleared before I shove the flat side of the gun in my hand into Jamal’s stomach. “Get rid of the body and the gun. When you’re done, report to the mansion.”
The body on the ground with a clip full of bullets emptied into its face belongs to a disloyal lieutenant. If not for Aurelio’s tip, I might have found myself on the wrong side of a righteous cop. But his treachery isn’t the reason his face looks like it went through a meat grinder.
The cause lies with a certain short female with supple brown skin and frizzy hair that shouldn’t pop up in my head when I least expect it. But she does. And the longer she remains hidden, the more frequently her image dominates my thoughts, and the more frustrated I become.
Maybe I should have killed her when I had the chance. Then I would have peace of mind. But whenever the thought of ending her existence floats, her full lips appear to tease me.
I want to taste her.
I slam my fist against a cinder block resting on a pallet, hoping the pain will clear the idea from my thoughts. My skin breaks, but I ignore the slight discomfort.
Mattia greets me at the entrance to De Luca Concrete. “We have the cops l’informatore worked with.”
“Reach out to our people in the force. Let their people handle them. And tell them they’ll get a bonus if it doesn’t lead back to me.” I walk past him and into the back of my Caddy.
The President and Vice President of the United States have Cadillac One and Cadillac Two. I made sure to get Cadillac Three. And because I protect my family, I replaced Valentino’s car with the same model I have.
Before returning home, I make a few stops. This recent breakdown in my organization feels off. I can’t put my finger on why, but I’ve learned to trust my instincts. And my gut is telling me the cops are getting their orders from someone else. My first stop is my brother’s office at City Hall.
I stride through the halls, unbothered by the eyes that track my movements. Valentino has never hidden his connection to me, and the voters don’t seem to care that their mayor isn’t some distant relative of the mob, but is in direct contact regularly. I’m sure his DeLuca looks have helped his rise in politics, but he must be doing right by the citizens of Douglas to keep his seat election after election.
Trevor, Valentino’s chief of staff, catches me on my way to the elevator. “Are you here on official business?” he asks with a frown before clearing the expression from his face.
“I’m on a fact-finding mission of some urgency.”
Trevor has been with my brother for years. He’s even run interference with the public when Valentino’s interests don’t align with upholding law and order, but I sense he doesn’t like the idea of me dragging his boss into my dealings.
Tough shit for him. Valentino and I won’t disavow each other. Not after everything we’ve survived together.
“The mayor is in a meeting with the Superintendent, discussing the changes he wants to implement in the schoolcurriculum and safety measures to prepare for when his son begins kindergarten.” He enters the elevator first and waits for me to board before selecting Valentino’s floor.
“My nephew is still a baby. Doesn’t he have a few years before he has to worry about that?” At Trevor’s speaking glance I shake my head. “Only Val.”
Sloane will have an even harder time wrangling my brother under control now that he has another life to obsess over. At least his current cause will benefit the city at large.
Trevor precedes me into Valentino’s outer office and sidles beside the admin to whisper in her ear. She glances at me before picking up her phone and whispering into the mouthpiece. Within minutes, the Superintendent, a tall, dark-skinned Black woman, marches out of my brother’s office.
“I see you haven’t learned not to piss off people who work for you. One of these days, they’re going to mount a coup.” I enter and close the door, barring Trevor from participating in this meeting.
“You have five minutes until my next check-in with Sloane.” Valentino checks his watch. “And I won’t keep her waiting.”
“Next… How many do you have a day?” I grab a seat in front of his desk.
Val glares at me for asking the question. “State your business or leave.”
I fake a dramatic shiver. “When did brotherly love turn into a tundra?”
“Four minutes.”
“Next time I’ll have Sloane?—”
“Don’t even think about finishing that sentence.” Valentino leans back into his chair and exhales. “What brings you here?”
“There are signs I’m being targeted. Have you heard any rumblings? Anyone new coming on the politics scene pushing the cops into acting against their best interests?”
“What happened?” My brother glares at me, but not out of anger. This is how he looks when one of his faces danger. I probably share a similar appearance.
I summarize the issue I took care of before heading here and the odd feeling I have about the situation.
