AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Come on, let’s find out what the damage is, then we’ll go paint the fucking city red,” T says with a grin.
Finally. My night’s looking up. That’s definitely something I could get on board with.
Chapter Two
I’ve been in New York City for almost a week already. Observing in the shadows at night, hiding in plain sight during the day. I’ve seen Theo and his underboss come and go from this house numerous times. I’ve yet to see Theo’s wife; though I’ve seen plenty of pictures of her. I’ve also seen the numerous fucking cars drive past. Filled with thugs looking to scope the place out. I’ve spotted the other three families. I know they’re preparing to make a move. Sometimes I think I should just get a bowl of popcorn and watch this pathetic little war of theirs play out.
I’d love to see just what my big brother has going for him. Why he’s earned the reputation he has. I’ve asked around. I’ve heard the rumors. The whispers abouttheTheo Valentino.
What bothers me, though, is that no one ever mentions Neo. The one who’s always two steps behind my brother wherever he goes. When I’ve dropped his name, everyone runs like the fucking devil’s on their tail. Their mouths lock tight, and they look right through me as if the exchange never took place.
What the fuck is up with that? I need to get info on this guy ASAP. I know someone on the inside has to be ratting out my brother, and I plan to find out who that someone is. I then intend to give them a one-way ticket to meet Lucifer himself.
How do I know there’s a rat?
Simple: there’s always a fucking rat when war’s involved.
And why is there always a rat?
Because the mafia is run by arrogant, shortsighted fucking males, who like to think everyone fears them way too much to ever fucking turn on them. Dons are the stupidest fucking bunch of intelligent men I’ve ever met. And I’ve met my fair share.
The thing is: money is a powerful tool and everyone has a fucking price. True loyalty? Shit like that doesn’t fucking exist. Or at least that’s what I thought until I watched Neo tied to that chair. He didn’t have a fucking ounce of betrayal on his face when the odds were stacked against him. I saw it in his eyes. He would have died before he told those assholes where my brother and his wife were. Not that I would have let it get that far. I was intrigued though. To see how much he could take. I watched as he took a beating without batting an eyelash.
Who the fuck is this guy? But the bigger question is why the fuck do I care?
When I crept in through the back of the house—which wasn’t an easy feat, mind you—I found Neo out cold and bound to a chair. How the idiot let himself get into that precarious situation in the first place, I have no idea.
I was, however, intrigued as to how he’d get himself out of it. I stood back and watched. When he woke up, and those worthless henchman were attempting to get info out of him, I had the strangest feeling wash over me. I wanted their blood. I wanted to line them up in my sights and end them all. But not because it was my job, or because I was ordered to protect someone. No, I wanted to kill them because they were hurting him.
I forced myself to stand there, to observe and not intervene, but when I finally had enough and was ten seconds away from pulling the trigger, Theo stepped into the room and did the honors for me. I slinked farther back into the hall. They didn’t know I was there. Yet, as I walked away, I felt a pair of eyes burning into the back of my head. It took everything in me not to turn around.
Now that I know they have this under control, I’m onto the next phase of my father’s mission.Get to know your brother.
They’re not going to be staying in that safe house any longer. So where would they go next? I need more info. The wife. That’s where I need to start. Holly, she’s Theo’s only weakness. I need to get to know her. I’m on my way to her apartment when my phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see my nanny’s name displayed across the screen. It’s the one number I’ll always answer—well, other than my father’s because nobody ignores his calls.
“Ciao, Vanessa, is everything okay?”
“Sì, Izzy is fine. She wanted to speak with you.”
“Okay?” I ask, concerned.
“Mama?” My daughter’s sweet voice fills my ears.
“Izzy, baby, is everything okay?”
“Sì, I just… well. Can you come and get me?”
“Why? What’s happening?”
“I have a bad feeling, Mama, and you said to never ignore those feelings. So please take me with you,” she begs.
“Okay, but you’ll have to come out with me. I have some errands to run. Be there in five.” I hang up and head back to our hotel room. I don’t usually take her with me when I’m working. But I need to get into Holly’s apartment. And now’s my chance, while they’re all distracted.
* * *
“What are we doing here? Whose place is this?” Izzy asks after I get the lock picked and the door open.
I may not tell my daughter about my daily comings and goings, but I also don’t hide who we are from her either. Knowledge like that helps keep her safe. If she knows the dangers that lurk in the shadows, she can better avoid them.
