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I bite back the reply that bubbles up first. It’s not helpful. And Max is fucking right, that’s the problem. I didn’t tell him about the job today because I didn’t trust him. When he pointed out that the laneway was closed, I brushed it off. Figured Plan A would run okay and we wouldn’t need Plan B anyway.
And look where all that fucking optimism got us. Walking right into a trap.
CHAPTER14
BRICKER
“I’m sorry,”I say stiffly. I try it again: “Iamsorry. I should’ve told you last night when Van called through to let me know. And yeah, maybe I should’ve called it off altogether. But as for that laneway…I had to back Van. He’s my guy.”
“Backing your guy doesn’t mean much if you both end up dead. But that aside, he wasn’t wrong,” Max says, his eyes coming up to meet mine. They’re somber. Worried. “That’s theproblem, Bricker. That lanewayshould’vebeen open, just like Delligatti planned. So that means someone knew we were going to be there.”
“Right,” I say after a long pause, and with a sense of relief, because for the first time since we met, I feel like we might actually be on the same side.
“Look, Bricker,” he says, “even though we’ve had our differences, I can see why your crew follows you. You take care of them, put their well-being first. Even when things went south today, you still put them first. That’s admirable. That’s the kind of Capo any Family needs.”
I blink, caught off guard by the compliment. In response, I let out a short laugh. “Well, shit, never thought I’d hear praise from you after a day like today.”
The corners of his mouth turn up, ever so slightly. But then his expression turns serious again. “You did the best you could in the circumstances. But something doesn’t add up. You must see that.”
I swallow down the last of my beer and set the bottle on the tiles. “Of course I fucking do,” I sigh. “But you’re a Castellani, Max. I can’t talk about this kind of shit with you.”
His eyes wander down my wet chest, then away. “I’m an outsider,” he agrees. “But maybe that’s why your Maestra wanted me embedded with you. Maybe she thought I could be…”
“Objective?” I ask coolly. He gives a shrug. “I mean, maybe. Maybe you have a point, Pedretti. But I trust my crew. I have to, or I’m dead. Sure, a few jobs have gone wrong…” I trail off. “Lately,everyjob’s been going wrong. But it always seemed like bad luck—until today.”
“Today wasn’t bad luck,” Max agrees grimly. “How long have they been with you?”
I guess trust has to start somewhere. “Tank, Van and Jazz have been around forever, part of the Family for years. We worked the same crew from the start, so when I got made Capo, I asked for them. Pony’s been around a while, too. He used to drive deliveries from the Port to wherever, and he had a good rep at dropping tails, so I picked him for wheels.”
“And the next-gen?”
“Yeah. The kids.” I sigh. “You know Giddy is Tank’s brother—he was initiated maybe eighteen months ago. Rook, Honeybee and Nico are newer recruits, only a year in. But they made their vows to Anna-Vittoria, same as we all did. They’re overeager and they’re green, but I don’t like to think that one of them is working against us.”
“It may be someone closer than you think,” Max suggests cautiously. “Tell me more about Delligatti?”
I knew that was coming, but I don’t like it all the same. “Van and I grew up together. He’s closer than a brother. I’veliterallytrusted him with my life more times than I can count.”
“History can blind you,” Max says after a pause. “We learned that recently the hard way—the Castellanis, I mean. Even someone who seems devoted to the Family, someone who’s been around a long time…they can still turn.”
I know exactly what he’s doing. He’s opening up about Castellani business in the hopes that I’ll open up about Esposito business.
“It’s not Van,” I tell him bluntly. “And just because he doesn’t like you, it doesn’t make him the bad guy.”
“Just keep an eye on him, alright? For the sake of everyone else in your crew.”
I scoff rather than reply. But as I look into his eyes again, I see something genuine there. “Alright, alright,” I say finally. “I’ll keep watch.”
“That’s all I’m asking,” Max concedes. “I’m just trying to protect the interests of both Families. And I know you won’t want to hear this, but calling off this big job you’re training for isalsothe best course of action. At least until you figure out what’s going on.”
I stare up at the night sky for a long moment. “Max, I don’t think you’re wrong,” I admit at last, the words bitter on my tongue. “And I’m torn about it. But how do you think Anna-Vittoria will react if we call off the job? She’s been losing confidence in me lately, and if I call time on the big one, I might be demoted.”
“Demoted is better than dead.” Max takes a sip of his whiskey when I don’t reply. His gaze drifts across the rolling steam that dances over the surface, comes to rest on my nipples, poking out just above the waterline. He looks away again. “It’s First National, isn’t it?”
My mouth falls open. “Who thefuckhas been talking?” I demand.
He shakes his head, almost amused. “No one. But like I keep telling you—I actuallyaman expert. First National is the only one that fits the specs of your group. Old-school safe that can be cracked if necessary. Blueprints of that building aren’t online. Only paper copies exist, and you managed to get your hands on some—which, nice work, by the way. And Honeybee…she’s for the wire cutting, right?”
Max goes through his reasoning. First National is an old bank in an old building, which makes it tricky in some respects. But he knows about the tiny shaft that gives access to some vital security wires running through it. The shaft isn’t made for human access, but someone small enough and limber enough and skinny enough could fit. Someone like Honeybee.
