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It could be nothing. Maybe she did get asked to dance by a handsome stranger. Or maybe he wasn’t a stranger at all. Maybe she knew him. Maybe they left to talk or whatever. After today’s press conference, I’m sure she has a ton of friends who’d like to offer their condolences, just like me. Well, not exactly like me. And yet, the more I tell myself Sophia is fine, the more my insides tighten. I don’t know why Alister and his guards are on high alert tonight, but they clearly are. And, whatever Alister is doing in that house, it’s certainly not connected to his party hosting responsibilities.
7
As Gioand Gabriel Parisi take a seat on the brown leather couch in my office, I pour us each a glass of bourbon from the bottle I keep in my desk. Ever since the meeting with the capos, I’ve been bothered by the interaction between Vitale and Gagliano. Or rather, the lack of. But, as my father always said, certain matters must be handled delicately. Knowing I’ll eventually have to tell them of the deal I struck with the FBI to make the family business legitimate, I can’t risk pissing them off with a direct confrontation. At least not now. But that doesn’t mean I have to ignore their behavior. And if I’m being honest, I’d take any excuse to skip out on the party early. Well,almostany.
At that, thoughts of Sophia’s friend come to mind, thoughts I quickly shove out of my system as I sit in one of the red upholstered chairs across from Gio and Gabriel. I can’t do anything about her now. But the second I’m done with this meeting, I’m directing my attention to her. If she’s as close to my sister as I think she is, I need to know everything about her. The fact that I don’t and she’s alone with Sophia now makes me itch.
“Thanks, Boss,” Gio says, taking his glass.
“Yes, thank you.” Gabriel takes his as well, though neither of the men bring the cup to their lips until I do.
“Cheers,” I say, lifting my glass and then taking my first sip.
“Cheers.”
The three of us sit in silence for a moment while I think of the best way to broach the subject. Gabriel isn’t like the others. He isn’t old and entitled. He doesn’t look at me like I’m a child playing dress-up with his father’s crown like the others do. Well, I suppose I should say Vitale. I only see my out-of-state capos once a year, which isn’t enough for them to form an opinion of me or get underneath my skin. But Vitale? He’s the oldest of the capos and based in New Orleans, which means he has the hardest time following my commands and he’s around enough to make his distaste for me known. Gagliano is in his mid to late forties. He doesn’t say much, which makes it hard for me to get a read on him. I’m still trying to figure out which of them I trust the least.
“It’s a Hell of a party, sir,” Gabriel says, breaking the silence.
“Yes, thank you. It’s all Sophia’s doing,” I say, taking another sip of my bourbon before setting my glass to the side.
“I’m sure she was thankful for the distraction given recent events.”
I nod, leaning back in my chair. Even though I like and trust Gabriel, I’m sure to keep my face void of emotion when it comes to Cara, orrecent events, as he put it.
“I guess that’s one way of looking at it. But, speaking of recent events, is there something going on with Vitale and Gagliano I should know about?”
Gabriel’s brows furrow at my question. He leans forward and places his empty glass on the table between us. “Not that I’m aware of. Why?”
“Well, I couldn’t help but notice at the meeting that they didn’t say two words to one another. They stood on opposite sides of the room and never exchanged one glance. Normally, I wouldn’t think anything of it, but given everything’s that happened this past year, I need to make sure my men are united, now more than ever.”
Gabriel nods. Once more, he relaxes into the sofa. “I understand. I guess I didn’t notice anything about their behavior today as strange because they’ve always been distant toward one another.”Alwaysmeaning for at least ten years. That’s how long Gabriel has been a capo. He took over after his father passed, as is the way in our circle.
“Do you have any idea why?” Not that it matters. If they’ve managed to coexist for that long without incident, then I shouldn’t have anything to worry about, at least when it comes to them fulfilling their duties.
“No. Whatever happened between them, it was before my time.”
And mine.I nod.
“Well, I’ve got enough problems of my own to concern myself with theirs. But, moving forward, I’d like my New Orleans capos to present a more united front. Do you think you can convey that to them?”
“Of course, Boss,” Gabriel says. “I’ll speak with them and remind them of your request for more men to be stationed here and at the warehouse. We all know how Vitale likes to pretend he’s hard of hearing when it comes to certain things.”
“Yeah.” I smile. “Well, if he keeps it up, he won’t have to pretend anymore.”
At that, Gio stands with his finger pressed to his earpiece. “Excuse me for a moment.” My eyes narrow as Gio moves to the other side of the wood-paneled room. Whatever’s happening, he doesn’t want Gabriel to know. Or perhaps, he doesn’t want to put me in a position to lose my shit in front of Gabriel.
Reading the room, Gabriel stands. “It was a pleasure, sir.” He offers me his hand. “Call me anytime.”
“Thanks, Gabriel,” I say, standing to shake his hand. Gabriel leaves and Gio turns to me with a look on his face I’ve only ever seen once before. Instantly, the color leaves my cheeks and my throat aches with the same words I spoke the night I learned of Cara’s abduction. “What’s happened?”
Gio balls his fists and says, “Sophia’s guards missed their twenty-minute check-in and they’re not responding to comms. Neither are the men posted on the southeast side of the property.”
At that, a million scenarios race through my mind in a matter of seconds. Every single one of them makes my heart beat faster and my fists ache with the need to punch, stab, and kill. I shrug out of my suit jacket, unbutton the top three buttons of my dress shirt, roll up my sleeves, and grab the gun holstered to my desk. Not again. I push past the déjà vu pricking at my insides as I cock my pistol.
“Let’s go.”
* * *
