36. Do Not Disturb
Chapter 36
Do Not Disturb
Giordano
Antonella’s spending her night out at The Estrada— the sex club— which I don’t particularly care for her being at without me. But girls' night is important.
And since I’m alone this evening, I’m going to bury my mind in work— of the illegal kind . I tap my fingers against the desk.
Wishing I was tapping her ass instead .
My phone vibrates with a text, pulling me out of my thoughts. Probably for the best.
Alara Bellucci
Francesco AWOL. I’m HBIC.
Che cazzo?
You’re the one he left in charge?
Did you not understand what I said?
I’m clarifying.
He left a note.
Attachment 1 image.
Attachment 1 image.
The first image is a stack of legally binding, notarized papers—one which holds up in court, and the one… well, we don’t want anyone else to find. The other image is a handwritten note, with Francesco’s writing and signature.
I leave access to all accounts, properties, and businesses to my wife, Alara Bellucci.
She is now the head of the Milwaukee family.
Anyone who denies her this position will be eliminated on the spot.
— Francesco Bellucci
Brutal .
Auguri
Alara Bellucci
You’re congratulating me when my husband is missing?
Sounds like he left. And left you a sweet deal in return.You two weren’t in a happy marriage to begin with.
Was it that obvious?
To everyone. Good luck in your new position.
This conversation never happened.
What conversation, cugina?
I smirk as I click my phone off. The door opens, and in walks my main man. My literal partner in crime.
“Boss,” Xander says flatly.
“Sì?” I raise my head up, glancing over my computer screen.
I’m not particularly happy already about Antonella being out tonight without me. It’s bullshit. I don’t want her to be away from me. Mostly because I miss her. Her laugh, her smile, her voice, her touch. I’m gone working a lot. And honestly, now that she knows about most of the operation, she can be here and overhear as much as she wants to.
I trust her entirely.
“We caught another man snooping today. He’s waiting for you. Block A.”
My top lip curls up while I log out and shut off my monitor. My gaze flicks up to Xan while I crack my knuckles. I suppose this can be a good outlet for the rage I’m feeling. “Oh, by the way, Alara’s the new head of the Milwaukee family.”
Xander blinks. “Alara? As in your cousin Alara? Francesco’s wife Alara?”
“The one and only,” I retort.
“What happened to?—”
“Don’t know.” I shrug.
“Va bene.”
“I’ll be in block A. Don’t disturb me,” I say, cracking my neck and stretching out the muscles.
“Got it.”
Block A in the warehouse is a complete disaster when I shut myself inside.
I glower while scratching my chin. The man is hanging upside down from the ceiling. His face is a slight pink color, meaning he couldn’t have been in this position for long. I may let him suffer a little bit before I squeeze every bit of information I can out of him.
My phone vibrates with a text.
Moglie
If you would likeeeeeee, I can move out on my own now. I make enough at this new job. Thanksssss fro everything .
I snort at her drunk texting.
No.
She’s beyond plastered already. Why does it sound like my girl’s trying to leave me? Where’s this coming from? Or are my own insecurities creeping in? I shake the thoughts and pocket my phone.
I switch my focus back to the tied up man. My even more pissed-off emotions ignite, a spark of energy which can be used for getting information from this guy.
“Where is Cillian?”
“I don’t know who he is.”
“Bugiardo.” I spit on his face.
“I don’t know what that means, man.” He sobs. Pathetic. He’s weak. A broken chain.
“It means liar . Because you know exactly who Cillian is. You also know where he is. Now, tell me, why are you protecting him with your life?” I squint, dragging the blade tentatively down his forearm. Not deep enough to hit any major arteries, of course. He hasn’t told me anything useful. The blood drips down onto the floor—the beginning of a puddle I plan to make larger.
“P-please. I don’t fucking know.” His voice cracks as he cries.
“Try harder, man ,” I copy his nickname.
“I… okay. I know him… by the name only.” He broke so easily for me.
“ Good . Now we’re getting somewhere. See how easy it is?” I praise him. Good cop. “Now, give me more details before I slit your throat.” Bad cop.
I don’t fuck with cops.
“I’ve never met him in person. He’s here… in Chicago. The Estrada. He—” He coughs. “He owns it.”
“Why were you snooping around our office?” I lean down close to his face. I need to get every single answer I can before he’ll pass out from being upside down.
“I was told to find where the money’s at,” his voice shaking, breathing getting heavier, and face becoming as red as tomato sauce.
Mmm, sauce.
Cazzo, I’m hungry.
“Good… good. Anything else?”
They aren’t going to find any money. Even if they send out every single one of their men. It’s safely tucked away offshore without so much as a hint as to where they can find it.
He sniffles as I drag the tip of the knife up his forearm—not placing any pressure on it—continuing up his bicep and shoulder, reaching all the way to his collarbone. He violently flops around, like a fish after it’s been caught. “F-fuck. No, that’s everything,” his voice is riddled with fear.
“Then you’re no longer of any use to me.” I slice deep across his throat.
My hand releases the knife, dropping it on the ground with a loud clank. Choking, gurgling sounds echo throughout the concrete room as blood pools out his mouth, puddling beneath him.
I watch the betrayal on his face as he holds onto the little shred of hope—the chance of being set free. The life and light fades from his eyes.
Someone clears their throat behind me, pulling me out of the trance-like state.
“I told you I wasn’t to be disturbed .” My jaw clicks as I keep my gaze locked on the dead man bleeding out onto the concrete floor.
“I wouldn’t unless it’s important.”
I walk over to the basin, letting the cool water rinse the remaining blood off of my hands. Thankfully, it isn’t much. Any drop can cause enough of a scene. I don’t want a repeat of last time when there was blood on my shirt. “Che? ”
“I overheard him say, The Estrada.”
“You heard correctly.”
“Antonella’s there now, yes? With not only your sister, but her best friend, too? The fucking Russian Bratva’s princess ?”
My blood runs immediately cold at the missed connection. Fuck. “You got to be shitting me, Xander. Tell me this is one of your cruel… cruel jokes.”
“You think I would joke about their safety?” He raises a brow. My jaw clenches tight—remaining silent. “No, I didn’t think so. Do you think… There’s even a possibility she’d run into him?” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“He knows her, Xander,” I whisper. “We ran into each other on the street and pretended not to know each other for her sake. For the public’s sake.”
“ When ?”
“When we first were walking to her apartment. She’s already met him before.”
“Find out everything she knows.”
“How?”
“It's up to you to figure out. Maybe it’s time you told her the truth about Cillian. I’ll get a clean up crew in here. You get one for out there.” He pats my shoulder, then walks out with a shit-eating-grin plastered on his face.
“I’m going to The Estrada, Xander. Follow me.”
“Right behind you.” He nods, tapping on his phone.
I scan the entirety of the club for my woman, yet, my eyes stop on Alexei stalking toward me.
“There’s been an issue,” his Russian accent is heavy, more serious .
My jaw and fists both clench at the same time. “What do you mean issue ?”
“Cillian tried cornering her. I got there in time. No doubt he would’ve drugged and taken her if I didn’t step in.”
“Where is he?” I glower him, enraged at the mere thought of him being this close to taking her.
“He walked away. I’m busy babysitting the three drunk girls. I am what they call… the girl’s girl .” He glances back over to them, throwing back another shot and spinning around in a circle on the barstools. Oh, goodness. “Whatever that means.”
“Which you’re now away from,” my tone drops, low and lethal. Sure, I’m grateful for him protecting Antonella. He understands the words aren’t necessary.
“I have eyes and ears. Nikita, Giulietta, and Antonella are my top priority. He was the threat. I removed the threat.”
My jaw clenches tight. “And with the threat still roaming around somewhere… I’ll take Antonella home. You take the other two. Make sure they’re safe.”
Alexei nods only once. I’m sure this is the last thing he’d like to be doing tonight, however, he’s used to Giulietta and Kita’s drunken antics by now.
I scan the room once again, eyes only. Cillian’s nowhere to be seen. He must’ve felt threatened enough by Alexei’s presence to leave his own club. Or at least the main area.
I push through all the people dancing to the obnoxiously loud, thumping music and find her taking way too many shots at the bar. He should’ve cut her off by now. She’s clearly not well.
“Have you any idea the danger you’ve put yourself in tonight?” I growl.
She slurring gibberish as she stands, nearly face planting directly onto the floor. Good God . I catch her before she hurts herself.
“Hey, you don’t look so good,” Gulietta says.
She needs to be more mindful about her surroundings.
“I am not beauty. I am not grace. But I will fall right on my face.” She snorts as I hold her in my arms. She nuzzles into my chest as I support her with one arm behind her back and another underneath her knees.
I grab her purse off the bar counter, and sling it over my shoulder.
Carrying her out of the bar, I’m pissed off at the situation. Pissed off that she got so blasted out in public with a threat looming around who knows where. Pissed off that she looks like a goddamn goddess and every man in this building is ogling her, wanting her.
She’s mine .
I take her to my car and buckle her in the front passenger seat. She flops over to one side, resting her head on the side of the chair.
“Goddamn it.” I shut the door carefully and get in the driver's seat. ??It’s going to be a long night.
Maybe this is why she doesn’t go out to clubs.