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Far too many pieces didn’t add up.
The crowd was rough, some affiliated with the Moretti clan, but they wouldn’t make a scene or dare try to eliminate a member of the Giordano family. That wasn’t their style.
Or so I hoped.
I’d been involved in activities of this nature before, usually as a second to Luciano when push came to shove, and extra family muscle was needed. Then I’d put a stop to it, refusing to comply with his requests. That seemed like a lifetime ago. However, I’d honed my skills, the training methods forced on me as a teenager ones that I’d never forget. My father had made certain of that in his usual brutal methods.
I buttoned my jacket and scanned the street before walking inside, both soldiers following me. The crowd was still thin given the hour, which allowed me to see Nico holding court in the back. As soon as I walked in, all eyes were on us, several men backing away not wanting trouble while a few dared to puff up their chests, remaining where they were.
Both Bruno and Gunner paved the way, shoving a few men aside. I glanced at the bartender, who quickly moved to the back. Then I headed straight for Nico, not wasting any time with pleasantries.
I grabbed him around the throat, tossing him against a wall. There were several grunts, glasses shattering on the floor. Then there was nothing but quiet until Nico snarled.
“What the fuck?” He shoved himself away from the wall, instantly fisting his hands. I could see the instant recognition sparked in his eyes. There was also confusion. Then he threw a punch.
I backhanded him then landed a hard kick to his gut. As soon as he reached for his weapon, I ripped out mine, smashing the barrel against the side of his head. Then I rammed him against the wall again, hearing noise indicating both my soldiers were actively keeping bystanders from joining in the melee.
I pressed the barrel against the side of his throat, hissing as I cocked my head. “You beat Theodora. I should kill you on the spot.”
For a few seconds his eyes opened wide. Then he snarled again. “You’re fucking crazy. I didn’t touch her. I would never do that.”
I could almost believe him.
“No, you took the cowardly way out, using one of your men.” I jammed the weapon against his skin, my finger itching to pull the trigger.
He got off a hard punch to my gut, then another to my jaw. I slammed the pistol against his face, taking a step back and holding the weapon in both hands. When he came at me with both fists flying, I shoved the weapon into my jacket then threw several punches of my own. The fucker wanted this the hard way, I was happy to oblige.
I tossed him back and we both fell to the floor, our bodies twisting. I finally got him down, smashing my fist into his face several times.
“Don’t do it!” I heard Bruno grunt to someone. The crowd moved back, giving us room.
“I should kill you right here for what you did,” I hissed, lifting my arm to throw another punch.
“I didn’t do it, you pig. If I’d wanted your sister hurt, I would have done it myself. She’s gonna be my wife. I don’t beat women. Ever.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. The deal is off. Scamper back to your rat hole where you belong. But if you dare ever try and touch her again, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your brain.” I squeezed my hand around his throat until he put up his arms in defeat. Only then did I back away. I’d managed to control my anger.
For now.
As I rose to my feet, I snapped my head from one side of the room to the other, challenging anyone to try to come at me. Bruno had one asshole by the throat, Gunner holding his weapon toward another. Satisfied the fucker had gotten my point and would take my message back to his father, I backed away, turning around a few feet later. I knew exactly what Nico would do.
He lunged toward me but I turned around, pointing the barrel toward his forehead.
“Give me an excuse to pull the trigger, Nico. Do it.”
His eyes were full of rage, but I sensed he knew I was in the mood to follow through with my threat. He nodded and backed down. Then he said something that surprised me.
“I’ll find out who hurt your sister. When I do, I’ll send you their remains. No one fucks with my woman.”
His woman.
He still didn’t get it.
Maybe another message would need to be sent in the future. So be it. As I walked out of the bar, I had a feeling the next day would be stressful.
But I’d set the tone for my reign.
Soon word would be on the street, fear placed in several smaller organizations.
