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“I’m sure it does. About as old as trying to keep a movie princess from voiding her production contract because of her filthy behavior.”
We both laughed. In the years spent with Powers Security, our client list had included heads of state, foreign diplomats, athletes with bad attitudes, and movie moguls. We’d protected them from stalkers, paparazzi, and assassins, all while wearing a smile.
“I almost miss keeping a drunk prima donna from falling into a swimming pool,” he said, grinning as he turned his head toward me.
“Not!” we both said.
A flash of cold hard steel caught my attention, the cloudless sunny day illuminating an oncoming vehicle. At a high rate of speed. While the occurrence wasn’t necessarily an oddity given the busy streets, the sound of the engine as well as my gut instinct activated my tactical training.
“Get down!” I hissed as I pulled out my weapon, aiming it at the driver’s window. When I sensed Max remained in limbo, I shoved him to the pavement, immediately dropping to my knees. As gunfire erupted, I fired off an entire magazine worth of ammunition. While the tinted windows of the SUV didn’t allow for me to see how many assholes were inside, the loud crunch seconds later indicated I’d hit my mark.
As I always did.
“Fuck,” Max gasped from beside me, immediately fighting to get to his feet, his weapon already in his hand. “Second time in a month.”
I made certain he was alright, pushing him against the building. “What the fuck you do mean second time in a month? You need to tell me that shit.”
As his men raced from the building, I was prepared to fire every single one of them.
“It’s something I’ve come to expect.”
After cursing up a blue streak, I rubbed my jaw, listening for sounds of a second car full of assailants. “Who the hell is it, Max?”
He leaned his head against the brick, taking several deep breaths. “I don’t know. Irish. Russians. They’re all the same.”
I took long strides toward Gio, yanking him back by the shoulder. “Your main function in life is to protect that man, your Don. You don’t eat, sleep, piss, or fuck without finding out from God himself that that man is secure. That goes for all of you. Do you hear me?”
I rarely flew off the handle, as indicated by the surprised looks on their faces.
“Yes, sir,” Gio said after a few seconds had passed. Too many seconds in my opinion. If I could, I’d beat the shit out of the man. The head of security seemed to enjoy toying with rats and snakes versus doing the job he was paid well to do. “You okay, boss?” he asked Max while still keeping his eyes pinned on mine.
“I’m fine. Two of you see if you can get any ideas of the sons of bitches who attacked us. Get out before the police arrive. Gio, get the shit cleaned up in the building. I have a performance to attend. Raleigh is expecting me.”
After waiting until the soldiers had acted on their orders, I scanned the perimeter one last time before shoving my weapon into the holster. Then I confronted Max once again, keeping my voice low. “Are you trying to tempt fate?” The reason Max had been transformed from decorated Marine to ruthless mafia don was because his fiancé’s father, Tony Arturo, the former kingpin had been assassinated at one of Raleigh’s ballet performances. Given the escalating violence the last few months, she’d taken a leave of absence from performing.
Now this shit.
“It’s one night. A benefit hosted by the New York City Ballet. All proceeds are going to charity. Raleigh begged me. How could I say no?”
“Oh, maybe by showing her the photographs of her father’s dead body?”
Snarling, he acted as if he was going to throw a punch. I stiffened, tilting my head and daring him to do so. We could push each other’s buttons like nobody’s business, but as Consigliere, it was my responsibility to keep him from getting killed.
Whether he liked it or not.
At the same height, almost the exact same weight, throwing punches would prove futile. We stared at each other for a full minute, both refusing to back down. Then his features softened, and he looked away. “I promised her, Vipe. She’s sacrificed so much that I can’t deny her one night. She’s practiced every day for a full month.”
Goddamn, the man was in love with her. While I couldn’t blame him, the loneliness of both successful businesses draining, I also knew he’d make a mistake one day if he wasn’t careful. “Do you want me there? I’ll change my plans.”
“No, buddy. You have a plane to catch and a new security contract starting in a couple days if I remember correctly.” His grin had returned, but I sensed his anger surging like it was deep inside my gut. A war was brewing and if we weren’t careful, the great former Arturo Empire would collapse.
“Yeah, I do. A short gig but profitable.”
“Maybe after that’s finished you take a few days off. You need to get laid.”
“Somehow I doubt that’s going to happen.” I wasn’t into one-night stands and plastic women, which was all I managed to come in contact with over the past few years.
“You’ll find the right one, some day.” He headed to his car, acting as if the attack hadn’t happened.
