AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But this is for her. A bloody, violent ode of my love for her.
Let it be known: I’ll slaughter every lastcazzowho ever dares bring her harm.
“We’re going to play a game, Enzo,” I say. He’s back to feeble sobs and slobbering snot slumped in his chair. “I’m thinking of a number between one and ten. Take your pick and choose wisely.”
“S-seven.”
“Not so good choice. That’s seven holes.”
Lorenzo erupts into fresh screams as the drill grinds toward his forearm strapped to the chair, but he goes unheard. The padded walls silence every last one of his screams.
The night’s just getting started.
“That was a gruesome one, Boss,” Louis says an hour and a half later.
I’ve used the private bathroom next to my casino office to shower and change. My bloody clothes have been disposed of, as have the extra baggage from our torture session in the secret room. It’s already like it never happened.
Falynn’s none the wiser.
“How was everything else?” I ask, buttoning my gold and onyx cufflinks.
“Falynn’s almost ready. Johansson just arrived at La Pergola. Everything else around the resort and casino is running smoothly. Very festive vibe tonight.”
“Good. Because it’s an occasion to celebrate. We’ve won.”
Louis smiles, his round face jovial. “Even quicker than I thought. The city’s yours.”
“This is just the beginning. I have plans for this city.”
“Giancarlo has to know by now. That your father…” Louis trails off, his insinuation clear.
I pour myself a finger of bourbon and give a nod. “He knows. As does Claro. Neither are ecstatic about this turn of events, but how they feel is irrelevant. My father’s made his choice.”
“The best man got the job.” Louis chuckles at his own comment like the big softie that he is. But a damn good soldier. My new right hand. “Which reminds me, boss, something came for you. Some kind of… card.”
I’m too busy drinking my bourbon. Instead, I motion for him to continue. My mind’s already on meeting Falynn at La Pergola for our dinner. I wonder what dress she’ll wear tonight to drive me crazy. Perhaps we should skip dinner altogether, and go straight to the end of the night, where we’re alone in the penthouse.
I can already taste her sweet honey nectar on my tongue.
Louis produces the card in question. It’s a tiny unmarked envelope with an even tinier notecard. There’s nothing on the card except the single word typed in the center in simple black ink:
Soon.
“What is this?” I ask impatiently, throwing Louis an expectant look. “Is this some kind of joke? Soon, what?”
Louis shrugs. “That’s all it says. Fozzi mentioned it arrived anonymously earlier. You think it’s Lovato Sr.?”
My interest wanes and I push the card and envelope into Louis’s wide chest. “I don’t care. Get rid of it. Any matter he wants to address, he can do so directly. There’s more pressing matters tonight, like dinner.”
“And dessert with Miss Falynn?” Louis grins slowly.
I laugh and clap a hand to his back as we head toward the door. “I’ve already told you, Lou. I’m addicted to the girl.”
The casino thrives with life. Everywhere you look, there are crowds of customers milling toward the game tables, or strolling around our specialty shops. They stop by our bars and order drinks and they watch the sports games on our big screen TVs in our sports lounge. Our resort guests cross the lobby to the elevators, ready to retreat to their luxury hotel rooms after a long day spent touring the city.
I observe it all as I stride through my creation. The Vittoria Resort and Casino is a success because I made it that way. Every piece of the puzzle required to remodel this place and open it up with a fresh brand and image was due to me. My absolute determination to prove myself to my father.
That I could bring back glory to the Sorrentino name in the west. Just like old times.
