25. Michael
Michael
Ipull out behind Katie and follow her through Auburn Heights. We split at the four-way stop. She turns right toward the high school, honks, and waves out the window. I shake my head. If my job doesn’t do it, that woman will be the death of me. I wave back, then turn left toward the freeway.
I tap the dash. “Call Marco.”
“Boss.”
“I need a jacket and a clean shirt. Have Beatrice set it out.”
“Yes, sir.”
I end the call and dial Luca. He answers on the first ring.
“Boss.”
“You on your way to the dock?”
“Leaving now,” he says. There’s a woman talking in the background.
My grip tightens on the wheel. “Luca. Where are you?”
“I’m at my place,” he says quickly.
My jaw tightens. “Who’s there with you?”
A long pause.
“Luca.”
Silence.
“You better fucking answer me.”
“Sarah.”
“Fuck.”
“Boss, I can explain.”
“Get to the fucking dock.”
I end the call and exhale through my teeth. What the fuck is he doing?
Donnelly’s dead. Somebody dumped a city inspector into a fucking lake inside my territory, and I still don’t know who did it. Romano’s digging into shit that doesn’t concern him. Now my cousin’s fucking my girlfriend’s best friend.
“Fuck!” I slam my hand into the wheel.
Get it out now, Michael. You don’t lose control. You use it. I roll my neck and focus on the road.
The gates open and Adam’s already in position. I stop and lower the window.
“Boss,” he says. “Romano’s inside with Marco. Luca just pulled in. Exits are covered.”
I undo my cuffs, rolling my sleeves up.
“He talk?”
Adam shakes his head. “No. Thinks he’s here to inspect a shipment.”
“Good.” I meet Adam’s eyes. “Let the fucker stay comfortable.”
His mouth twitches before he steps back. I pull forward, my focus locking on the warehouse. Luca’s waiting right at the door the second I kill the engine and step out. The door swings open, and he’s already spilling apologies before I can even look at him.
“Boss, I know I should’ve sent her home—"
“Shut your fucking mouth, Luca.”
I brush past him and walk into the building. Romano’s planted in the middle of the main floor, chatting easy with Marco. He spots me coming, and for a split second, his eyes widen before he plasters on that fake-ass smile and steps forward, hand outstretched.
“Mr. Amato,” he says.
I look at him standing there smiling while Donnelly’s bloated face flashes through my head. Everybody suddenly thinks they can test me. I slide my family crest signet ring over to my right hand.
“So good to see you. Marco here didn’t say exactly—“
My fist cracks into his jaw before he can finish the bullshit. His head snaps back, blood exploding from his split lip, spraying across the floor and flecking my cheek. I wipe it off with the back of my hand.
Romano crumples to the ground, clutching his face. “Mr. Amato,” he whines, voice all shaky. “What the—"
I snatch him up by the collar, yanking him close, then drive my Italian leather Oxford straight into his ribs. There’s a loud crack. He gasps, doubling over, but I don’t let go.
I get right in his face, breath hot on his skin. “You think you can run your fucking mouth about my company? About me? Who the hell do you think you are?”
He’s shaking his head, eyes wide with terror. Part of me wants to put a bullet in his skull and call it a day. The smarter part knows I’ve already got one dead body causing problems.
“No!” he croaks.
I hurl him down hard. He hits the concrete on his knees, scrambling but not getting far.
“Please, Mr. Amato. I got a wife and kids.”
So did Donnelly. That didn’t save him.
I glance at Marco, who’s hanging back with a smug grin. “You hear this prick?”
Marco nods, smirking wider. “Yeah, Boss. Got a family. Funny how that didn’t stop him from feeding shit to Rossi.”
“Not one bit,” Luca replies, crossing his arms.
I pull my gun from the holster and jam the barrel against his temple. His whole body goes rigid, sweat mixing with the blood dripping down his chin.
“Should I end this fucker right here?” I ask, looking between Marco and Luca.
Luca shifts, shrugs. “He did tip off Rossi about your last shipment, Boss.”
“You stupid fuck,” I growl, and smash the butt of the gun into his teeth. They crack like cheap porcelain, blood gushing out as he howls and grabs his busted mouth. I kick him forward with the heel of my shoe, sending him sprawling face-first into the floor.
“I beg you,” he sobs, blood pooling under him, words slurring through the mess.
I tap the gun barrel against my chin, thinking it over. “Alright, I’ll let you crawl out of here alive. One condition.”
“Anything,” he gasps, lifting his head pleading.
I drop down to a crouch, right in front of him, grabbing his chin to force his eyes on mine.
“I own your ass now. I call, you come running. I need a favor, you fucking deliver. And if you ever open your mouth about anything—anything at all—you die. Your wife dies. Your kids die. Slow and messy. Got it?”
He nods frantically, tears cutting tracks through the blood on his face. “Y-yes, Mr. Amato. I swear.”
I stand up, holstering the gun. “Good. Now get the fuck out of my sight before I change my mind.”
He scrambles to his feet, hunched over, clutching his ribs as he stumbles toward the door. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and glance down.
Katie: I hope you’re having a good morning. I’ll miss your huge ass in my bed keeping me warm tonight.
I chuckle. Then another text.
Katie: That’s the only reason I’m sad you won’t be there. It has nothing to do with the fact that I like you.
I look up and Marco and Luca are staring at me.
“What are you fuckers staring at? Clean this place up.”
“Yes, Boss.”
I look back down at my phone and text her back.
Me: I’ll miss you too, Doll.