AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Everyone is doing fine.”
“What a relief. And Moroni? I've heard he's gone underground.”
“Yes.” I grit my teeth as we walk side by side. The sound of the man's name is like a match dropped in a pool of gasoline, turning my gut into a raging inferno only vengeance can tame. “I heard the same. Why do I feel like that's part of the reason you're here?”
To his credit, he laughs, giving me a sheepish expression. “Am I that transparent? Really, I thought I was better than that. I need to up my face game.”
I know better than to think he'll accept, but I offer him a drink once we reach my office. He refuses, unbuttoning his jacket before taking a seat. It's a little early for me, too, so I grab a bottle of water and take my usual seat.
“Where's your guy?” he asks, eyes darting around the room. “I thought he came with the room. Part of the furniture or something.”
And he'd rip your head off if you dared say that in his presence.Clearly, we've begun to drop the formalities. “He'll join us shortly.”
“Ahhh! Okay, well, as I was saying, yes, Moroni is a big part of why I wanted to talk to you. I'm as committed as ever to helping you take that bastard down. It was one thing when he wanted to screw with your business, but he changed the stakes by attacking your loved ones. He deserves to suffer for that.”
“I'm sure you understand without being told that I agree. I have every intention of finding him and ending his miserable life as soon as possible. If you could offer assistance, I would be more than grateful, but I want you to know that I want to be the one to kill him. He needs to die at my hands and no one else's.”
Romero chooses that precise moment to enter the room, offering Sebastian a short nod. “We've been discussing our common enemy,” I explain.
“And how I'm willing to commit resources to helping you find him—and end him.” Sebastian glances from me to Romero and back again. “In exchange for a slice of the Moroni pie.”
At least he's straightforward. I'm tired of this performative dance, the false joviality. “Exactly how big a slice?”
“Not so big it would choke me, yet big enough that it makes it worth my while.”
Romero perches himself on the corner of my desk, facing Sebastian. “And exactly what do you plan to contribute here?”
“For one thing, I have men on the inside. Men who are close to Moroni's closest associates. They know the ins and outs of his private life and how to get to him. I also may be able to pick up some intel on any properties Moroni owns off the books. Where he could be hiding his son while he recuperates, for instance.”
This time, his smile isn't sheepish but rather approving. “Word is, he was stabbed with something a lot bigger than a fork this time.”
If only she had planted that knife in his heart, the prick.“Shit, word does get around, doesn't it?”
“No. It doesn't.” His eyes flash while a wolfish smile plays at the corners of his mouth. “Like I said. I have people who know people, and if I know your girl stabbed that fucker in the gut, and that, that kind of information doesn't hit the streets, what else do you think I can discover?”
Dammit. I hate to admit it, but I'm intrigued. The problem now is getting Romero to believe he's as good as he claims.
“Give me a list of the businesses you want, and we'll come to an agreement. I'm willing to be generous,” I add. Romero's shoulders jump, but he otherwise conceals his reaction. I have no doubt he'll chew me out later, but I'll be damned if I give a shit. I don't need the extra income and would gladly burn everything Moroni owns to the ground so long as he was inside and burned right along with it. This kid can take over the entire Moroni network for all I care. What Jack operates is small beans compared to my own work.
“Excellent. I knew we could—”
He's cut off by the desk phone's double ring. I snatch the receiver from the cradle, irritated at being interrupted. “What?” I snap at Henry, who's calling from the gate.
“Torrio!! Let me the fuck in! We have some things to discuss!”
“Sir, I'm not sure what to do.” The poor old man's voice shakes while Charlie continues ranting and raving in the background.
“Callum? Callum!” Bianca bursts into the room, breathless, with Tatum on her heels. “My father. He's on his way, and he's furious about something. He wouldn't tell me what it is.”
Of all the fucking times.I have to avoid Sebastian's steel gaze as I turn my attention to Romero, whose face is a stony mask, as he gets up from the desk and strides from the room. “I'll take care of it.”
Bianca's mouth falls open in dismay. “Take care of it? What does that mean?” Before I can stop her, she spins on her heels and follows him, Tatum tagging along behind her.
Henry's still on the phone. “Sir?”
“Let him in,” I sigh, because anything else will only end up causing more trouble. I wouldn't mind seeing him break his neck ramming the gates, but that would only cause Bianca pain, and my little bird has endured enough of that.
Sebastian rises, buttoning his jacket with his lips pursed. He's wearing an expression I can only describe asbetter you than me. “I didn't mean to interrupt whatever domestic dispute is happening here.”
