Page 35 of The Underboss

What few streetlights there were had been encapsulated by dull bulbs, the fixtures likely never cleaned. That added an ominous feel to the setting. Between the honking noises and dogs barking in the distance, bottles being dropped and the occasional loud voice from an ongoing argument, the street was a typical one in the heart of Shitsville. When I was only a few yards away, I pulled out my weapon, holding it low and keeping it both hands.

I knew the lay of the land to within a few inches. Once Cay opened the back gate and I walked inside, his hand was around the man’s mouth within seconds.

While he screamed and tried to fight his way out of my Capo’s hold, it was next to impossible to break free. The man was a fucking powerhouse, able to snap a man’s neck with a twist of his wrist.

Hell, I’d learned the technique from him, something he said he’d been taught to use on live chickens in his homeland.

I moved in front of the man, crouching down then glancing at the upstairs windows. The woman and her child were already asleep, none the wiser. They might miss the asshole for a few days but would quickly learn their lives were much better off without him. Then the money from his account I’d wired into the girl’s would be discovered and she would learn to breathe easier. It was incentive cash he’d earned from the Bianchis, who were more generous than I’d believed. At least she’d have fifty-K she could use.

As I crouched down, I certainly didn’t need much lighting to know he was shocked and petrified. “Well, hello, Carmine. I’m certain you believed you’d never see me again. Or maybe you were hoping Maxwell would arrive just prior to the attempted massacre.”

He muttered, fighting until Cay placed the barrel of his weapon against the man’s head.

“Now, I’m going to allow you to speak but if you attempt to scream, I’ll shoot you in the kneecap. Do we have an understanding?” It took him a few seconds, but he finally nodded profusely. I grabbed his cigar, shaking my head before stubbing it out on the chair a mere inch from his leg. “Nasty habit. It’ll be the death of you.”

I took out my silencer, taking a few seconds to screw it onto my Glock. I’d yet to decide where the man would ultimately face his demise, but he didn’t need to know that. I nodded to Cay who removed his hand but not the position of his weapon.

“Now, I don’t need to know who was responsible for tempting you into doing something stupid, Carmine. I already know. What I want is the answer to a simple question. What other syndicate has ties to the Bianchis? The Greeks are one. But I’ve heard talk someone is in from out of town.”

He was obviously mortified that I knew details he’d tried and failed miserably to hide. The man who had once almost been a powerhouse was now nothing more than a shell just like his company, but it still had value and before he kicked the bucket, I was getting his signature on the contract.

“I don’t know what you’re fucking talking about.”

“Uh-huh. You’ve been up Roberto Bianchi’s butt for months. You’re an idiot, Carmine, but not a dumb man. Spill it or I won’t be able to allow you to live.”

“I’m no fool, Franny,” he said, trying to piss me off. I’d given the man credit. He still had spunk. What a shame he hadn’t put that to good use in breaking his gambling addiction. “You’re going to kill me whether I talk or not.”

“Not true. I’m a man of my word. But you’ll never know if you don’t open your fat mouth.” I barely glanced at Cay and I could tell he was having difficulty keeping a straight face. I’d gone from being a sullen SOB to a comical one, at least according to my Capo. Well, we all had to be known for something.

Cay pressed the barrel with more force, enough the man winced. “Some shithead from Chicago. That’s all I know.”

There was no doubt Carmine was telling me the truth. While inviting members of a rival mob into a city owned by several syndicates wasn’t unheard of, there was usually a purpose in mind not a death wish. If an alliance was being made, then the pathway between the two powerful cities could potentially become difficult to navigate.

Especially given we had shipments of our own coming and going from Canada through the Windy City and vice versa. The news wasn’t what I’d wanted to hear. “Any idea why?”

“I’m not on the bastard’s Christmas card list, Arturo.” Reminding me of my heritage also wasn’t in his best interest, but it would seem the man had a death wish. I’d oblige him. What the hell.

“At this rate, you won’t be on mine either.” I pulled out the contract and a favorite pen of mine. “The other reason I’m here is to finish the ongoing business between our two companies. Sadly, with your decision to betray the Arturo–Powers empire, that forfeited the original deal. Now, you’re going to sign away your entire company to our corporation.” I turned to the appropriate page, placing it on his knee.

“That’s blackmail.”

“On the contrary. The first contract you signed had a codicil about changes or assassination attempts. It was in the fine print. I’d sorry if you didn’t read it. This is entirely legal.” I offered the pen and he did nothing but stare at it, fisting his right hand, the one he needed to use to sign the damn piece of paper. I’d done everything in my power to make this easy for him.

Sighing, I yanked his arm, snapping his finger. When I heard a crack, I knew I’d broken it. What a shame.

Carmine gritted his teeth, tears running from one eye. When I forcefully wrapped his hand around the pen, he started to shake.

“Now, sign it, Carmine. I’m not a patient man. If I need to ask you again, I assure you that it won’t be done so nicely.”

The man hissed and it was obvious he had not so choice words ready to spout off to me. Good for him for keeping his trap shut. I lifted my eyebrows when he hesitated again. Then he finally scribbled his name.

“Good boy,” I said as I grabbed the pen and contract, folding the pieces of paper and shoving both into my suit jacket. “Now, I have one last question for you, my friend. Was the intention to kill Maxwell?”

He grinned and I knew the answer. The Bianchis believed that with my brother-in-law gone, they could move into our territory much easier. Perhaps that was a bargaining chip they’d use with the Chicago organization. I patted him on the leg and stood, glancing at the house once again. There was no sign we were being watched by the girl or any of his neighbors. Not that it would matter. No one would call the cops. While people were more in tune than most gave them credit for, most also had a desire to live.

Simply showing their face in a window was often a death sentence. Things had gotten out of hand in the business of crime, which was why the legitimate businesses had so much appeal. But often, dirty laundry needed to be handled.

“This is how we’re going to play it, Carmine. Your girlfriend and son will be well taken care of. I am an honorable man after all.”

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