Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“That’s why Cage has been so profitable.” It confirms all my suspicions and more. “Did Tommy ever talk about the Famiglia?”
“I always assumed the Biancos were aware of the arrangement.” He fidgets in his seat and I believe him. “It was never for me to question either way.”
“Do you know who he was working with?”
“Foreign men. I think Russians and Serbians.”
“I need names and locations.”
He nods and gestures at the filing cabinet. “I’ll dig out what I can.”
“Good.” I lean back and study him. “Now you have a decision to make, and it won’t be an easy one. You worked as Tommy’s top manager for years, but Tommy’s gone now, and he won’t be coming back. You can either help me turn Cage around and get rid of anyone still loyal to him, or you can walk out that door and never come back. You’ll have to leave Chicago, but it’s a small price.”
Rodrigo doesn’t seem surprised. It’s the deal Roc wanted, but this time I’ll actually honor it. This man may have been complicit in the trafficking and Tommy’s schemes, but he was only doing his duty, and I still believe he can be an asset.
“I’d be happy to keep working for the Bianco Famiglia,” he says after a pause, which I appreciate. It’s not a small decision.
“Start by giving me all of Tommy’s known locations, especially the secret ones. And I need to know anything you can tell me about Serena.”
“His girlfriend?” Rodrigo shrugs a little. “She’s just a girl. Pretty and smart, but an addict. I don’t think she knows much of his business.”
“Write it all down anyway.” I knock my palm against the cabinet. It makes a low boom. “And starting now, the trafficking is over. Any girls still upstairs will be offered a choice. They can keep working here as legitimate employees, or they’ll be paid out for their time, given a bus ticket to wherever they want to go, and sent on their way.”
Rodrigo clears his throat. “Ah, there are certain, uh, deals already in place, with important people—”
“Cancel them. I’ll deal with the fallout.”
“Very well, sir.”
“I want everything I asked for done by the end of today. Do you understand?”
“I’ll get started now.”
“Good. And Rodrigo? Stay loyal to the Famiglia and we’ll get along just fine.”
“That’s my plan.”
I leave the office. I’m not positive he’s going to be smart, but I think he’ll do the right thing. He’s a survivor, after all.
The sky stretches over the oasis like an endless blue ribbon. Claudia’s palm tenses against mine and I squeeze back. She smiles at me, head tilted, sunlight streaming through her hair, and I marvel at how good this feels. I never pictured myself going for a walk hand in hand with a woman before, but now that it’s Claudia, it’s like this fits perfectly.
I’m a murderer. I’m a thief, a gangster, an ex-con. I’m also holding hands with a beautiful woman and thinking about bringing her back to my house so I can fuck her senseless.
“I wish I had seen their faces,” she says as we reach the end of the block and start back. I feel the eyes of Bianco soldiers watching our every step. “I mean, I bet nobody imagined Tommy would end up on the run like this.”
“It honestly went pretty smooth. Most people don’t care who their boss is, so long as their job is secure. Rodrigo’s making a list of anyone that might give me trouble and I’ll let them go, but otherwise I don’t plan on shaking things up too much.”
“That’s good. I mean, mostly everyone’s nice there.”
“Mostly?” I pull her against me. “Was someone mean to my girl?”
She laughs and pushes me away. “It’s not like that.”
“Come on, baby, give me a name.”
“Kayla. But honestly—”
“That bitch is fired.” I grin viciously. “And I’m giving her a terrible recommendation.”
Claudia laughs, shaking her head, and tries to convince me not to be vindictive, but fuck that. Her enemies are my enemies now.
“I think I’m done working there,” she says as I put an arm across her shoulders. “I mean, I never really liked it anyway.”
“You can stay, you can go, but you’re not allowed to dance in that fucking cage ever again. I will not have my woman ogled at by rich assholes.”
“Oh, yeah? What if I want to be ogled?”
“Then I’ll lock you in your room until you learn to be a good girl.”
“You’re such a prick.” She’s smiling at me, and I’m smiling back, and I lean down to kiss her.
“No, baby, just a little possessive.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be confident and sure of yourself?”
“I’m both of those things. And I also can’t stand the thought of another man getting anywhere near you, so here we are.”
“Luckily, I’m done with the nightclub scene.” She elbows my side gently and leans her head on my shoulder. “Now I have to figure out what’s next.”