11. Emilio
F uck! This is not how I wanted to start this meeting. The only reason I brought Luca is because he’s more familiar with the area and this type of situation. He was a Second for years. And now he wants to fuck up?
“Luca! You will apologize to our allies—now.” I grind my teeth while trying to keep my face blank. I want to tell him to shut the fuck up, but I’m already starting at a disadvantage as a Boss thanks to him.
“I apologize for my outburst.” Scowling, he dips his head toward Jude. I ignore it for now, but I learned from the best. If he thinks he’ll escape punishment, he’ll learn otherwise. I wave him back as Benjamin comes forward to stand beside me.
“Benjamin serves as my Second, and we are honored to meet Jude.” I bite back the urge to ask if there’s anything we need to do differently. They would have told me, and from the glares we’re getting, asking such a question would only cause more offense.
I know my friend. He wouldn’t pick just anyone to be his Second, so it’s best to not seem as if I’m questioning his decision.
“If you would please accept our apologies so that we can move forward.”
Roman lifts an eyebrow before nodding decisively. “Let's get this done.”
We take our seats quietly. I’m surprised Roman doesn’t sit at the desk, reinforcing that we're in his territory. Instead, he sits next to me, forcing our Seconds to take up spots nearby. The last time we were here, it was Roman’s father and Master sitting exactly like this as they laid out a truce. Now we’re the ones enacting it as we prepare for war…
“Our Family had a conversation with the person who set Il Padrone up. It was one of the wedding planners. She was chosen because she didn’t want to work for ‘criminals’ after her brother died of an overdose.”
There’s a snort from someone in the office, but I don’t pay attention to it. The irony of her calling us criminals when she set someone up to be kidnapped and possibly killed… Well, I took care of that situation.
“How was she communicating with this asshole? This shows some major premeditation. Whoever is pulling the strings had to search for someone like her.”
“Via phone. Marcus brought it for Hollis. And yes, that level of research is disturbing. It makes me wonder just what resources they have. After all, they had to comb through different backgrounds and then make a guess on who would turn—because only a fucking idiot would take on the Family. And knowing Cristian is gone? Whoever has them signed their death warrant. They have two of the best Families coming their way.”
“I’ll take the phone,” Hollis interjects, snapping it out from Marcus’s hands. I want to roll my eyes at his impatience, but I’m anxious enough that I don't. However, it doesn’t mean I can’t throw my weight around a little.
“Marcus sent you the CCTV footage. Were you able to get anything from them, or should I have had my men on it?”
I bite the inside of my cheek at the rising tension in the room. Benjamin draws closer, but stays out of it. Going after the hacker extraordinaire, and partner to probably most of the people in this room, including Roman? Yeah, I’m going to say this is probably a bad idea, but damn is it worth it.
Furious voices shout out, and I catch the words “death wish”, but I ignore it all.
Roman stares at me steadily, the only one not reacting to me being an asshole. “You had to push them, did you?”
“Of course. I need to know we’ll be able to work together—even when someone fucks up. You know our Families, that’s going to happen.”
“We didn’t kill Luca. You didn’t need to add gas to the fire,” Roman retorts, shaking his head, but I see a small bit of humor in his eyes. My friend embraces chaos as much as I do.
I smile as the arguments continue around us, drowning out our conversation. “Eh, as long as they don’t kill each other, we’re fine. We will get your father back. I will not stop until both he and Il Padrone are found. Nothing in this world is safe from me. I’ll burn it all to the ground.”
I didn’t notice the room becoming quiet until Tennant cuts in. “You won’t be the only one burning the world down.”
Twisting, I meet his hard eyes, unflinchingly despite the predator vibes rolling off him. I live with a lion of my own, and know not to mistake a predator for a kitty. I’d never underestimate him, but he’s not an issue. No, I’ll welcome his violence as we tear this place apart to find our men.
“As for your question,” Hollis’s voice cuts in and draws my attention away from his lover. “I did look through what was sent—and even more, since your Family doesn’t know how to compile shit.”
The words hang in the air, as if daring me to attack. Instead, I shrug and lean back in my chair, clasping my hands together. “Very well. Where is Il Padrone?”
“Because it’s so easy to find a needle in the haystack. They shoved him in a van that looks like every other van out there. They managed to find the only fucking blindspot in the city, and poof!
“Leandro was able to follow their trail for a while, but lost them due to some camera malfunctions. The city isn’t known for keeping up to date with their tech. Tennant sent some guards—you’re welcome—to check it out.
“We found the van, and a driver with a bullet hole in his head. Whoever is doing this isn’t being sloppy. Based on that, I’d assume that whatever I find on the wedding planner’s phone, it won’t be much—or even accurate.
“You’re asking for a miracle, and last I checked, I’m not fucking Santa, or a genie. Go ahead and get your people in on the search, but I guarantee they won’t find half the stuff I will, even if you give them a week. But if you want to be a negligent asshole and risk losing the only chance you might have at finding your precious Master… Be my guest.”
I glance sideways at Roman, checking to see if he’ll correct his lover from calling me an asshole. When he doesn’t, I sigh mentally. I fucking hate this, but there is no way Master would have accepted being talked to like that, even if I do understand it.
Surprisingly, I don’t have to jump in. Instead, Benjamin moves from behind me, the knife that's suddenly in his hand now pointed at Hollis. With a colder voice than I thought possible, he threatens, “If you call our Boss an asshole, or any other derogatory term again, you will answer to me.”
My lips twitch in amusement at the way Hollis shuts up. I don’t think he’s scared at all, but is more shocked that my friend has come this far. If things were tense before, this makes it even worse. At least, until Tennant starts laughing. My jaw drops and I swivel my head to stare at him.
“Nobody will touch Hollis except me, so put the knife away.” Benjamin glances at me. I nod to give him permission, but keep one eye on Tennant. This situation is more volatile than I expected it to become. Fucking hell, how did Il Padrone manage this shit? “Impressive as a Second, though. Foolish, but impressive. I think you could benefit from the same lessons Jude will be taking. Let’s see how much of a Second you can be.”
“Wait! If anyone is going to train him, it should be me!” Luca cuts in, and I struggle not to roll my eyes.
Considering how he fucked us from the start, I don’t want him anywhere near the Amatos right now. I cut that off quickly and consider Tennant’s offer. Benjamin has been excellent so far, but I know his distaste for violence will become an issue. Not to mention, this may strengthen our alliance by showing that much trust.
I give a shrug. “Thank you for the offer. We’ll accept it, but with two caveats. You don’t kill him, and no permanent injuries.”
“Fine on the first. I make no promises on the second.” Tennant’s voice guarantees pain, and I shift in my seat. It’s too close to the voice Il Padrone uses, and right now, I could use a physical outlet to relieve this stress. Tennant is way off limits though.
Benjamin puts his knife away and squares his shoulders as he moves closer to Tennant. My jaw drops in shock when he leans further in and snarls, “Bring it.”
Ignacio hisses, and I shudder. I thought we fucked up in the beginning, but now? Now we’re just fucked. And from Tennant’s evil grin, he knows it, too.
Swallowing, I glance at Roman, hoping to see some amount of reassurance, but there’s none. Great .
My best friend just signed up to be tortured by a psychopath, only so he can better fulfil his role. One he hopefully won’t be in for long, because I will have my Master back soon, and given the way Roman looks at me, he’s making the same silent promise about his father. If only we can survive working together, we may just have a chance.