Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
I watch my dad carefully as he mulls over the information I’ve just given him, sitting behind his desk with his phone on speaker. On the other line, Haldon and his dad, Hunter are discussing the clubs they own and how the Russians’ bid for more access could affect them.
“Did they give you anything else to go off?” My dad finally asks as he runs his index finger across his lips in thought.
After telling my father about the incident with the Russians a few nights ago, he set up a call with Haldon and his dad, Hunter. We would’ve waited for Roman, but my dad insisted on speaking with the Gambinos right away, since it’s their businesses that’ll be hit the hardest if we make the wrong decision.
My dad’s eyes bore into mine, prompting me to reply based on my recounting of the events at the docks. “No,” I say. “They just said their supplies had increased and they needed more access.”
“Don’t forget that we’re to look the other way,” Haldon chimes in. “Though I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean.”
I roll my eyes because sometimes Haldon doesn’t think before he speaks. It’s clear enough that the Russian’s so-called “supply” isn’t liquor. They’re bringing in something else they don’t want us to know about.
Dad glances at me from over his desk. Whatever he’s thinking, he’s keeping quiet. He’s always been logical in his thinking, analyzing the problem and creating a solution. I guess that’s why everyone looks to him for answers, even if we have our own territories to oversee.
“They clearly have an ulterior motive,” he says. “There are different ways to look at this.”
“Well, we can’t just cut them off entirely,” my uncle Hunter states.
“I’m not saying that,” Dad replies calmly. “But perhaps we can loosen the rope a little.”
“Agreed,” Hunter says. “Hopefully it’ll be enough to hang themselves with. Job done for us, then.”
I roll my eyes at his comment. Obviously, there’s no love lost between us and the Russians, but they definitely seem to hit a nerve with my uncle. Maybe it’s a territorial thing and he just hates that another entity is trying to push into our city. The same happened before I was born.
An Irish Syndicate tried to step on my uncle’s toes, and he didn’t like it one bit. They thought they could claim back territory that was taken from them decades ago, but they didn’t get very far. I can see why he’s so uneasy about giving another organization even a little elbow room. It could easily cause friction, or worse.
“We can’t give them too much, or they’ll walk all over us.”
“They already are,” Haldon snaps.
I pinch the bridge of my nose because he’s right. Even though the Federovs are asking permission, they’re not exactly giving us much of a choice. They’re pulling the strings, and it irks me that we haven’t found a solution that won’t cause a war.
“We can discuss this later,” my father announces to the three of us. “We’ve got a family dinner.” Nobody argues, and Dad ends the call, staring at me with a slightly blank expression as a silence falls over us.
“You good, Dad?”
He nods slowly. “Just thinking,” he responds. I hear clanging from the kitchen, no doubt from Mom causing chaos as she cooks. It’s rare that we ever have family dinners, so it’s safe to say we’re all treading cautiously to make sure we don’t ruin her efforts.
I take Dad’s silence as my cue to leave. He does his best thinking when he’s alone, so I stand from my chair and head towards the kitchen.
Mom is stirring something in a pot as I enter, while my sister is perched on a stool at the kitchen island. She exhales loudly, flicking through the pages of a magazine. Her brows are furrowed, her lips pursed together like she’s in some silent war with herself.
“Why do you look like someone killed your dog?” I tease as I perch on the stool beside her, reaching into the steaming bowl of carrots in front of me and stealing one.
“I don’t have a dog, dumbass,” she mumbles back, eyes still trained on the glossy pages as she angrily flicks them over.
“Leave your sister alone, Varo,” Mom tuts. I know she means it to come out as a firm command, but the thing about Mom is she can be just as commanding with her gentle voice. Her presence is enough authority in itself. We were always taught to respect our mom, though that doesn’t stop me from mimicking her, pulling a face as I mouth the words she just spoke.
“Varo.” Dad’s deep voice booms through the room as he enters, his warning clear. Though I’ve never been on the receiving end of his brutality, his voice can still scare the shit out of me.
I bristle, feeling myself turn sheepish as he drops a kiss to the top of my sister’s head. “Listen to your mom.”
Lani sticks her tongue out at me in challenge. What was that I said about being cautious?
Grabbing the magazine from her—because I know how much she hates me stealing her shit—I roll the pages under my fingers. “Roman says he’ll be here soon.”
“What?” She frowns. “Since when?”
Oops. Did I forget to tell her?
I smirk knowingly back at her.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed my best friend and sister getting closer again. There’s still their signature toxic love floating around them, but I can already sense Lani’s battle with her obvious attraction to Roman waning. She doesn’t have to say as much, but I know she can’t help herself when it comes to him.
“I invited him,” Mom supplies as she wipes her hands on a towel. She turns to greet Dad with a kiss before returning her gaze to us both. “He’s been back in the city for a few weeks now, and we haven’t even had the chance to see him.”
I flip the pages of the magazine over, loud whips of paper breaking through the air. “I would have told you, but I know how much you enjoy surprises. Plus, we need to discuss business.”
“Ass,” she mutters, snatching the magazine back from me.
Thankfully, I wasn’t reading any of that bullshit. It’s all regal couches and gilded walls. Not my taste at all, but it’s Mom’s favorite. She’s definitely used one or two pieces for inspiration, because the living room looks like something an interior designer cooked up.
As for the rest of the house, it’s pretty much remained the same. Egg-white color painted on the walls, black coving and panels to break up the brightness. Obviously, it’s all been freshened up over time, but as far as I can remember, not much about this house has ever changed.
For a two-story townhouse that sits on a quaint street in the Brooklyn suburbs, it depicts the exact opposite of what this family is, but I know that’s what’s needed when you’re running the businesses our families do.
Apparently, our house has been in the family for a few generations, dating back to when my great-grandfather lived here. A lot has happened in this place, and I mean a lot. Most of it has to do with death, which is why Lani and I used to joke about this place being haunted. I’d never second guess myself if it was true, but it just so happens nothing of the paranormal nature has ever happened here. Shame really, but I know there are scarier things than ghosts and ghouls, especially in our world.
“You still got your bike, Lani?” Dad asks from the other side of the kitchen. He’s staring out the window that faces the street as he pours a measure of whiskey. Despite his question, I know too well what he’s looking for. It’s a habit I started noticing from a young age, and when I was truly old enough to understand, I used to do the same.
“Yes,” Lani replies, arching a brow.
Dad sips his drink quietly for a moment before he speaks up again. “You getting it serviced regularly?”
“Dad,” she sighs.
“What?” He whips his head around to face her, an innocent smile gracing his lips. He approaches the kitchen island and strokes his hand lovingly over her hair.
I can’t help but chuckle quietly. Sometimes Dad is as subtle as a foghorn going off in the dead of night. He’s seriously got to work on his small talk, because even I can see through what he’s doing.
Dad has never approved of my sister’s life choices, and I can’t blame him. Lani decided as soon as she turned eighteen that she didn’t want any part of this lifestyle. She always had an opinion, but this was one that threw us all sideways. It’s safe to say Dad didn’t take it well. Having your offspring reject their own family lineage is bound to burn. And to make matters worse, my twin decided to void the Bonanno name. She goes by ‘Caruthers’ now, which is Mom’s maiden name.
As if Lani’s decision to distance herself from our businesses wasn’t enough, she really dug the knife in when she changed her last name. Deep down, I don’t think Dad has ever forgiven her for that, which is also why we never have these family dinners.
“It’s old,” Dad states with a hint of condescension. “I want my precious girl to be safe.”
I resist rolling my eyes at the nickname he gave my twin. Precious. To him, anyway.
“Yes,” she heaves a gentle sigh. “It’s up to date with all its services.”
“Why don’t you get a new one?” I chime in. “It must be rattling by now.”
“It’s not even that old!” she laughs, though the look our dad gives her tells me she’s not fooling him. Our Aunt Lexie gifted the bike to Lani a few years ago. She’s a great rider, but I know every time she goes out on her bike, my parents' nerves spike just a little bit more.
“Lani,” my mom admonishes playfully. “It’s like twenty years old!”
“Well, I can’t afford a new one right now,” Lani mutters.
“You’re not in trouble, are you?” Dad asks, placing his glass on the countertop. His hands grip the edge, knuckles whitening like he’s trying to contain his worry. “Because if you are?—”
“No, I’m not in trouble. I just need to be sensible with money. Besides, it was a gift from Aunt Lexie.”
Dad scoffs before pushing away from the counter. Did I mention he’s also got a chip on his shoulder when it comes to my Aunt Lexie? She’s Mom’s best friend and probably Dad’s worst nightmare. I suspect it has something to do with the fact she was a cop for a while and she’s also with my Uncle Trigger, one of Dad’s best friends. Having any connection to the NYPD other than them being on our payroll is never good. Lexie is impenetrable when it comes to bribery. She’d rather slit her own wrists than owe any of us a favor, but her stubbornness is one of the things I love about her.
She’s also a total badass, which makes up for the fact she was once on the other side of the law to us.
“You could afford a new one if you had a job,” I comment as I steal another carrot from the bowl. “Or if you came to work for me.”
Mom slaps my hand, scowling before she moves the vegetables away from me. “Ignore him, sweetie. If you’re struggling, you can always move?—”
“No, he’s right.” She grimaces.
I freeze. My jaw drops as I face her, the chopped carrot hanging out of my mouth. Before I can even tease her about the fact she just admitted I was right, Mom pipes up.
“Cori said that Haven is excelling in her clinic,” she mentions. I watch as she takes the roast chicken out of the oven, resting the dish on the side. The delicious scent wafts towards me, and if I wasn’t already starving, I am now.
“Have you thought about doing something like that?” Mom presses.
“What? Slicing and stitching people? No thanks,” Lani winces.
“Not a doctor,” Dad supplies. “But something professional.”
I can feel Alanis bristle beside me as Dad rests his hand on top of hers. Lani has never liked people poking their noses into her life. I’ve never known her to have any kind of ambition. As far as I know, she’s just getting by on whatever Mom or Dad offers her.
Inhaling deeply, she swipes her sweaty palms over her jeans, clearing her throat. “Actually, I have thought about it.”
“You have?” I gape, my eyes widening with surprise. “You want to be a doctor?”
“Oh!” Mom claps her hands together excitedly. “That’s great, honey!”
“No. Not a doctor. But… umm…”
Dad exhales loudly, intrigue pasted across his dark features. His face looks relaxed, which is purely a disguise because I know he’s holding his tongue to wait and see what Lani has planned for her future.
When she doesn’t respond straight away, he glances at me.
“Whatever it is, we’ll support you. As long as it’s not something ridiculous,” he says, winking at me.
Lani’s fists clench in her lap, and oh, shit. I can already hear the bomb ticking in the background as her jaw flexes.
“Like what?” she asks.
“The army,” I snort. “The feds.” I’m totally joking, but my words must pierce that fucking armor of hers because she snaps her gaze to me.
“Why would that be ridiculous?”
I shrug. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Varo!” Mom warns.
“Dad?” Lani’s worried voice travels.
He peers down at her sternly, his lips thinned.
“Tell me!” she fires back. “Why would it be ridiculous if I did any of that? Is it because you don’t think I can do it?”
“Sweetheart, that’s not what your father is saying.” Mom slaps Dad’s arm, scowling at him. “Is it?!” Though I know she’s trying to calm the situation, this conversation has clearly hit a raw nerve for my twin.
With a huff, Dad takes Mom’s small hand in his, never once taking his eyes off my sister. “No, Alanis. You are capable of anything you set your mind to.”
“But?”
I really don’t understand why she’s being like this. Then again, Lani has always had a short fuse. She hates being told what to do, and this is a prime example of that. “Chill, sis! It’s not like you’re going to become a cop or something,” I laugh.
Her gaze burns into me at my comment. There’s no denying the fury simmering beneath her skin. I’ve already noticed that Mom’s magazine has bore the brunt of my twin’s anger, the corners bent over.
“Why not?” she snarls.
“Because…”
“Because then you’d be the enemy,” Dad growls.
Shit. Dad really went there. His dark eyes are edges with a sharp coldness that I’ve only witnessed a few times.
Lani is frozen to the spot, staring back at him in disbelief. Even though Dad’s right, this is his own flesh and blood. Alanis is the brittle gem of this family. If she was to pursue a career in the Police, she would be just as valuable.
Then again, that’s another problem. One I don’t like the thought of. I’m hoping that’s exactly where Dad’s head is at as well, but judging by his rigid expression, I feel like his reasons are selfish ones.
“Okay, that’s enough!” Mom interjects. “Lani, your father is in a weird mood and your brother is just… Vee, go set the table!”
I flinch at Mom’s sharp tone, her orders throwing about the room. I go to fight back, but reconsider when she cuts me a glare that tells me not to mess with her. Pushing up from my stool, I do as I’m told and disappear with the cutlery in hand.
Less than a second later, I hear Lani bite back at Mom telling her she’s not hungry before she slams the front door behind her.
Well, shit.
Dad appears in the doorway, sipping on a fresh glass of whiskey. I smile and shake my head as I place the knives and forks down. “You’re going to worry Mom with all that liquor.”
He steps into the room, pulling out his seat at the head of the table. “I already worry your mother. The liquor isn’t the problem.” He chuckles into his glass while I take a seat.
“So…” he exhales loudly, placing his glass on the table. He runs a hand through his hair, the salt and pepper strands sliding through his fingers. It’s right there that I sense the emotions he’s trying to conceal. Guilt. Sadness. Loss . “You think she’ll come back?” he asks hopefully.
I shake my head and offer dad an apologetic look.
Lani has got his back up and vice versa. The pair are explosive. They rub each other the wrong way, and they’re just one spark from igniting an inferno. Still, she’s his daughter and the love he evidently has for her can never be taken away. He just cares too much, and that’s what gets on my twin’s nerves.
He nods silently, swallowing thickly.
“If it makes you feel better, she’s giving Roman just as much of a hard time.”
Dad chuckles at that, shaking his head. “I think it’s time I realize how much she can actually take care of herself.”
I smile weakly. “We’re not kids anymore, Dad. That might be hard for you to hear, but we have our own lives to lead. And while I hate it as much as you do that she won’t take the Bonanno name, can you blame her?”
Dad narrows his gaze on me, his lips curling into a smile. “When did you get so wise?”
Shrugging, I pour out a glass of water and take a sip. “When my old man showed what family truly means.”
Once again, Dad nods, but I can see in his eyes that he’s proud of me. He doesn’t have to say as much because the fact he’s accepting what I’m telling him is enough. “Speaking of taking care of yourself…”
Uh oh.
“I think I have a way we can overcome your Russian problem.”
Roman’s footsteps halt on the threshold to the dining room. He takes in the obvious tense atmosphere before acknowledging me with a nod. Stepping forward, he shakes my dad’s hand before taking a seat at the table.
“We were just discussing the Russian problem,” I explain to him before taking a sip of my water.
“Shouldn’t we speak to Haldon?” Roman questions.
“The Gambinos have agreed to let us take the lead on this,” Dad replies, steepling his fingers in front of him.
“So what’re you thinking?” Roman asks.
“The Russians want free reign, right?” Dad clarifies. “Which of course, you’re not going to give them. But you can make them think they have it.”
“How?” I frown.
“You need a mole.”
A snort of derision escapes Roman as he folds his arms across his chest. “You think someone in the Bratva is going to work against the Federovs?”
“They’re not the only Russians in the city, Roman.” Dad smirks. He knows his shit; nothing gets past him. “Your Uncle knows people, trustworthy people that would like to see the Federovs removed from power.”
Roman looks my way, just as intrigued as I am. “Trustworthy and the Russians just don’t go together,” he scoffs.
“And there’s no way we can manipulate this to our advantage,” I say, shaking my head. “The Federovs aren’t just going to employ anyone, and there’s no chance of us hiring someone to infiltrate their organization.”
Dad smiles, and all the logic in his plan seeps into that one look. “You may find there’s already someone in there.”
“Who?” Roman quizzes.
“That’s your Uncle’s job. I only know so much, but I do know that there’s a power struggle going on within the family.” Dad picks up his whiskey and finishes it in one gulp.
“The brothers?” Roman clarifies. Maybe he’s noticed the tense power dynamic between them as well.
Dad nods silently.
“How do we get rid of both of them? If we get rid of one, who’s to say the other brother won’t be worse?” I suggest, glancing between my father and best friend.
“You boys still have so much to learn,” Dad chuckles, and while It’s a light-hearted joke, the intonation is dark. He turns his attention on Roman, his eyes darkening. “Have your Uncle seek out the mole. I can guarantee there will be one.”
His brows furrow in question as he darts his gaze back to me, but I’m none the wiser. “How do you know that?” he presses.
“Because,” Dad shrugs. “There’s one in every family.”
I don’t like what those words are inferring, but neither of us question him. We spend the next few hours discussing Roman’s life in California. Mom asks most of the questions since she’s the most interested, meanwhile Dad just gazes at Mom from across the table like a lovesick puppy.
Seriously. Even at their age, they look just as in love as the pictures on the mantelpiece. The ones where Dad doesn’t look like he’s two minutes from ripping off someone's head, that is.
When dinner is finished, I drop Roman off at my sister’s place. Apparently, he was feeling extra generous and let her drive herself back in his Aston Martin, meaning he had to rely on me to bring him here.
“You wanna come in?” He asks me as we pull up outside Lani’s apartment.
“Nah,” I reply, shaking my head. “I’ll leave you to deal with her.”
After today, I’m not really in the mood for her attitude. I can ignore it most of the time because I’m usually the reason for it, but since Roman is back in the city, I’m letting him contain whatever situation is going on there.
“You’re an ass, you know that?” he grumbles.
“Yup!” I laugh back. I really couldn’t care less about what he thinks. After all, her moods started the day he left. “And I’ve had to deal with her mood swings for long enough. It’s your turn.”
He doesn’t answer back to that. He just slams the door and walks up the stoop of her apartment block. I speed away before he has the chance to change his mind, peeling back onto the road that leads me back to my apartment.
Luckily, I only live twenty minutes from my sister. I chose to live closer to the city because it makes my life so much easier. The apartment block is new, complete with security features that Haldon encouraged me to get. He takes after his dad in that respect. Safety is always paramount with the Gambinos, which is why I never question it.
Making my way to my apartment, a subtle wave of wariness washes over me. I pull my keys out, pausing at the door when I notice the doormat beneath my shoe. It’s slightly slanted, and to anyone else, it would be unnoticeable.
But I see it.
The hairs on the back of my neck prickle with warning. Leveling out my breathing, I automatically reach for my gun, just as I slide the key in the lock and push the door open.