CHAPTER 30
CRISTIAN
“Make this deal, and we’ll give you rights to this entire block,” Severino Cavallaro says, pushing his chubby thumb onto an outlined map placed on the table in front of us. He draws a line within a larger radius. “There are twenty businesses within these limits. You take half, we take half, and all is good between us, Marchetti.”
It’s a profitable deal.
Will double my income.
The agreement will also tighten the relationship I have with the Cavallaros.
Most consider the Cavallaros a notch down from us regarding influence, fear, and authority within New York crime families. It’s wise to have these men on my side—especially after I execute Vinny. The Lombardis won’t be happy about their idiot son’s death and could create war. I need as many bodies on my side as I can get.
My phone rings just as I’m about to throw out my final questions.
I tend to ignore calls when I’m in meetings. People become skeptical of phones during these meetings to begin with. You can easily record conversations with them.
But I don’t snub this call.
It could be Natalia again. Rocky said he was taking her to the gallery, but I haven’t heard from her since.
Benny’s name flashes across the screen instead.
I hit the Ignore button and shove the phone back into my pocket.
It rings again moments later.
Benny.
Ignore.
Again, this time Santos.
Ignore.
Benny once more.
I hold up my hand. “Give me a sec.”
They nod and start a new conversation as I stalk to the corner of the room.
“What?” I snap, answering the call. “I told you I was meeting with Severino today.”
“Where’s Natalia?” he barks.
“The gallery.”
He releases a long breath. “She drove?”
“No, Rocky took her.”
“Fuck!” he yells, and I hear him hit something.
My blood pressure elevates at his response. “What?”
“Santos had his PI working on finding the rat. He checked everyone’s phone history, and Rocky had a few calls with numbers linked to men in the Lombardi family. That doesn’t confirm he’s our rat, but it damn sure looks suspicious. Until we figure out why he’s calling them—and not smart enough to use a burner, fucking idiot—we need to keep him away from Natalia.”
I clench my jaw. “Meet me at the mansion right now.” After ending the call, I turn to the men. “I need to go. We’ll reconvene later.”
“What the hell, Marchetti?” Severino shouts. “We’re trying to close a deal here.”
“We’ll close it later. I need to murder a traitor first.”
“Ah.” Severino grins, showing off his gold tooth. “One of my favorite parts of the job. Have fun and let me know when you’re finished. Take pics of your work if you have them. That shit is like porn to me.”
Of course the fucker would request pictures of dead bodies.
Severino will soon be Benny’s father-in-law.
Good luck, Benny.
CHAPTER 31
NATALIA
My head is dizzy, and my throat burns from whatever they soaked the rag in before they shoved it into my mouth.
It was something chemical. Since I’ve watched enough true crime, I’d bet chloroform.
I blink before slowly opening my eyes, one by one.
“Natalia, baby.”
His voice grows deeper with each word.
A manic voice.
A familiar one.
Vinny steps in front of me, his back straight, and his lips are curled into a perverse smile.
Panic clutches at my stomach, but I will myself to stay calm.
Or at least pretend to appear calm.
I don’t realize I’m zip-tied to a chair until I jerk forward to flee. Panic consumes me, but I inhale deep breaths. I need to have a clear head to handle whatever torment Vinny has planned for me.
“Vinny, what the hell?” I say. “Untie me right now.”
I don’t think he’ll listen, but it’s worth a try.
“No way,” he says, chewing on a toothpick. “I’m not risking you escaping me again.” He signals to his eyes. “You had my vision fucked up for days with your little pepper spray trick.”
I scan the room but recognize nothing.
This isn’t some dirty warehouse where people are killed or a bachelor pad. There’s a white velour couch, leopard-print pillows, and canvas paintings of Chanel and Louis Vuitton logos.
“Are you ready to have some fun now?”
The question is asked by a feminine voice. I hear heels clicking against the floor. My back straightens, panic crackling through me, when Carmela steps to Vinny’s side. A vile smile is smeared across her face as she eyes me with pleasure. She’s been waiting for this moment.
Oh no.
“Not so smug without Cristian, are you, bitch?” Carmela asks, her face burning. Sweat trickles down her forehead, causing her self-tanner to bleed.
Stay calm, Natalia.
Carmela wants to see me squirm.
I refuse to give that to her.
“Vinny, you couldn’t have done any better?” I ask, keeping my eyes on him and not paying her a glance.
My question is risky, but it’ll show me what Vinny’s play with Carmela is.
If he sticks up for her, I’m in deep shit.
If he doesn’t, I’ll need to figure out a way to charm Vinny into untying me.
“You stupid whore,” Carmela yells, falling right into my trap as she charges toward me with her hand in the air.
I shut my eyes and wait for the blow. When it doesn’t come, I open them to find Vinny gripping a fistful of Carmela’s hair. He aggressively yanks her back, and she topples in her heels, catching her balance before she falls on her ass.
“Don’t you dare put your hands on her,” Vinny roars, his face on fire.
“What the hell, baby?” Carmela’s voice turns into a whine, and she approaches Vinny, attempting to kiss him.
He shakes his head, flattens his hand against her forehead, and shoves her back.
Carmela releases a string of curses, and spittle forms in the corners of her mouth, but she doesn’t try attacking me again. She still maintains that murderous glare pinned on me, though.
“Vinny and I are getting married,” she says, thrusting her chest out and smiling in satisfaction, as if she’d hit the husband lottery.
Does she think I’ll be jealous of that?
Let the two crazies be together.
No doubt Carmela will soon be filling out conjugal visit forms to visit her prized hubby in prison.
“Congrats to the bride and groom,” I say, rubbing my wrists together against the ties. I pretend smile. “And good news: I’m also getting married.”
This time, Carmela falls back a step on her own. “Stupid slut,” she hisses. “You think Cristian will keep you around for long? He told my father his plan with you. You’re nothing but bait to draw Vinny in. He wanted Vinny to do this, so he would have the opportunity to kill him.” She cackles. “Little does Cristian know, his days of being king are quickly coming to an end. Vinny and I will become the king and queen of this city.”