Page 70 of Duty

“Do you know what that tells other men—or made men?” Andino asked.

“N-no.”

“It tells them that they don’t have to come to me for anything. Not a request, not for permission, and certainly not for business. That’s a fucking problem. You made a problem for me. You’re a problem. Get it now, you stupid fuck?”

Nick’s eyes went wide, but Andino’s point was made. Sure, a large part of this was making sure nobody messed in Andino’s business. Then, the guns he needed run would go off without a hitch, and with Dante still unaware that his Capo had used a man he hated to do it.

It was more than that, too.

Andino wasn’t going to be anybody’s pushover.

Not their punching bag.

Or their fucking doormat.

All it took in this life was one man stepping out of line to make it seem like the man above him was weak. Given his fucking status, and what was coming for Andino in this family, he couldn’t afford for him to be that kind of man to the rest of the organization.

John had said it.

Don’t let them control how you sit your ass down in that seat, or what you choose to do with it. They want a boss, then be a boss, Andino.

Andino had to start taking care of his own shit, and worrying less about the problems of others. It started here.

It started with this.

And any other fucker that thought to step in his way.

“I’m sorry,” Nick mumbled, “please—”

Godspeed to the men who plead.

Andino stood, and swung the bat.

Bones crunched.

A man screamed and begged.

Blood splattered.

Andino just kept swinging.

Let this be a fucking lesson.

One of many, he was sure.

• • •

Andino shrugged off the bloody, ruined dress shirt, and shoved it into the trash. All the while, Snaps passed his master by, and headed for his empty food bowl. Sitting by the bowl, the dog stared at Andino with big eyes.

Begging without actually begging.

“You can wait five more minutes,” he told Snaps.

Snaps’ ear flicked.

Andino laughed. “You’re fine.”

More big eyes.