17. Blake
17
BLAKE
T raffic is light for a lot of the drive since I left Maine so early and I make excellent time back to the city. Even though I’ve convinced myself that I’m doing the right thing, the guilt still weighs heavy on me. But now isn’t the time for that, so I pack it up into a mental box and ignore it. For now, anyway.
Currently, I am on my way to speak to Carmine Gallo and I’m a little nervous. What if he isn’t in a talking kind of mood? I did some digging on him and he has a ruthless reputation. I just hope he’s ready to listen and bargain. Otherwise, this trip over to his house could turn out to be far more dangerous than it needs to be.
It wasn’t hard to find the man. He lives in a huge, very nice brownstone home in a fancy neighborhood. I suppose there’s no reason for him to hide like I do and, as I walk up the steps to the front door with beveled windows, I get the feeling I’m being watched.
Before I can knock, the door swings open and a huge bear of a man stands there. He possesses a craggy face covered in pock marks and he’s glowering at me. I can’t miss the pistol he’s carrying in a side holster which he doesn’t even attempt to conceal. He wants me to know it’s there.
“Mr. Gallo is waiting for you,” he grunts before I even say a word.
Hmm. Well, this is definitely going to be interesting, I think, and cautiously step inside. The foyer is large with a cathedral ceiling and stained glass windows depicting, of all things, butterflies. Maybe that’s a good sign. I hope so, anyway.
The Bear guides me down a long hallway off to the left and I quickly realize that this place is so much bigger than it appeared from the outside. It’s a mansion with endless corridors and a ton of rooms. As we walk by, I peek into some of them and all the decor looks old and expensive. They’re probably all antiques and worth a fortune.
Finally, we reach our destination—an office where Carmine Gallo sits behind a big, wooden desk that looks far too expensive. A quick glance around and I see a lot of little pricey objects from small pieces of art like statues and vases to larger paintings hanging on the walls. I get the impression that Carmine Gallo has a lot of money—more than he even knows what to do with.
Clearly, he has his eyes on the Five Families and the Rossi family, in particular. Which could mean one of two things—he wants to work with the alliance or he wants to usurp the Rossi’s position of power they hold over this entire city. From the weasley look in his dark, beady eyes, I’m thinking he looks like a man who is greedy and far too ambitious for his own good. Of course, I don’t trust him at all.
My spidey senses kick into overdrive as he stands up and approaches me. You can tell a lot about a person from first meeting them, and my impression of Gallo is he’s a power-hungry, dominant, sneaky creep. His gaze slides down my body and he doesn’t even try to hide the lascivious look in his eyes. My stomach turns, but I force myself to be cordial. For now, anyway.
It’s much easier to catch a fly with honey than vinegar.
“Hello,” he says, offering his thick, meaty hand. “And to what do I owe this pleasure?”
Even though I don’t want to, I shake his hand. It’s clammy and he squeezes so hard, I try not to grimace. Taking my hand back, I wipe it down the front of my jeans. “Let’s cut to the chase,” I say, all business. “You know who I am, right?”
He gives me a sly smile. “Of course, I know who you are, Butterfly. Or, should I say Ms. Serrano.”
Fuck. How did he find out my real name? Gritting my teeth, I do my best not to show my cards to him or the fact that he just took me by surprise. It’s also important not to underestimate him—let him underestimate me instead.
I only arch a brow in answer and play along. “I’d like to know why you put my name on the Kill List.” I don’t mention Angelo because I don’t want Gallo to think I even care. Of course, the complete opposite is true, but I get the feeling I need to be very careful about what I say to this man. I can’t yet risk revealing my true motivation for being here and that’s to protect Angelo.
He sends me another oily smile that makes my stomach queasy. “Blake, Blake, Blake.” Walking over to a side table, he picks up a bottle of fancy-looking whiskey and pours two glasses. Then he turns back around and offers me one. Even though I don’t want it, I accept the drink. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you came to me today.”
Shit, this does not sound good. I swirl the amber liquid around in the glass, but don’t drink it. “Why?” I ask, taking the bait.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he asks coyly.
“Not really since you want me dead.”
He laughs and it sounds harsh and abrading. “If I really wanted you dead, you’d already be six feet under. No, I have other plans. I want us to work together.”
Work together? I frown, not sure where he’s going with this. “Go on,” I say, pretending to play along.To possibly be interested in whatever he’s planning on proposing. I need to figure out what the hell he’s up to so I can make a deal in regards to Angelo.
“Let’s be upfront with each other, shall we? I find that’s how the best partnerships are able to work. Honesty is the best policy, isn’t it?”
I don’t comment, just wait for him to continue.
“First of all, you should know that this entire job was merely a setup to get you to come to me.”
“The John Grady job?” I’m so confused.
“Exactly. Grady works for me, but I needed to draw you out and what better way to do that than by creating a false job. And look—it worked like a charm because here you are.”
“Did Fox know this?” I ask. If my handler betrayed me, I will be livid.
“No, he had no idea,” he says with a dismissive wave of his hand and I relax slightly.
“But you put me on the Kill List—me and Angelo. People came after us. I’m sure there was a much easier way to set up a meeting with me,” I tell him in a dry, flat voice.
He smirks. “I wanted to see what you were made of first. Forgive me, but I’ve never hired a female bounty hunter and I was curious to see if you were as good as everyone said. Looks like the rumors proved to be true.”
Flattery will get him nowhere. Growing impatient, I trail a finger along the rim of the glass then tap my nail against it. “I am good,” I say confidently, so annoyed by this asshole that I realize my hand is shaking. Gripping the glass harder, I wait for him to continue.
“Shall we cut to the chase?” he asks.
“Please.” I’m getting really impatient with his games and superior attitude.
“Here’s the deal. I want to eliminate the Rossi family and take their place as part of the ruling Five Families.”
Oh, no. My heart falls.
“They’re clearly the ones running things and that should be me. That won’t happen, though, unless they’re out of the picture.” He leans his hefty body against the side of his desk and it groans beneath his weight as he eyes me closely. Shrewdly. “I propose that you come work for me.”
Ha. Fat chance that would ever happen. I’d never work for this arrogant jerk, but I pretend to consider his offer.
“Your first order of business is to help me ascend to the Five Families throne.” He lifts his glass, ready to toast me. “What do you say? Are you ready to make an obscene amount of money, Ms. Serrano, and come work for the new king of New York City?”
Okay, I’ve had enough. Ignoring his outstretched glass, I set my drink on the edge of his desk with a thunk and cross my arms. “I want you to take our names off that list. If it’s all just a test then end it before one of us is really hurt or killed.”
“I’m the one who decides how things play out around here which means I’m the only one making the decisions. Is that understood?”
“I don’t work for you. Nor do I have any interest to,” I inform him boldly. I’m tired of this asshole. I place my palms flat on the desk and narrow my eyes. “Take our names off that list or things are not going to end well…for you.”
At first he looks stunned that I would talk back to him and dismiss his offer. Then his eyes light up in a weird, twisted sort of way. “How about I only take your name off?”
“What?” I just blink, not sure how else to respond. Why only me? I wonder.
“Why would you care, anyway?” His gaze narrows astutely and I hate the way he seems to be looking right into my head. Like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. It’s damn disconcerting.
“I don’t,” I respond, trying to sound dismissive and unbothered. But, it’s too late. He’s already seen the flash of concern in my eyes.
“See, I think you’re lying to me and that you care more for Angelo Rossi than you’re admitting.”
Goddamn it. My fingers curl back into my palms, digging into the skin there. Am I that transparent? I tried so hard not to be and I think I just failed Angelo. Oh, God. I can’t let my mistake cost him his life. I would never forgive myself.
“Here’s my proposition and you can take it or leave it. You do one job for me and I’ll remove both of your names from the Kill List. I think that’s fair, don’t you?”
I may not trust this man, but he has my attention. “One job?” I echo. “That’s it?”
“One job,” he repeats. “Easy, right?”
“I don’t know,” I say carefully. Though, at this point, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to save Angelo. “What’s the job?”
“Assassinate Miceli Rossi.”
I suck in a sharp breath. “What?”
And then he launches his strike, hitting me in the heart and gut with the force of a thousand bullets. “Kill Miceli or Angelo dies. Your choice.”
No, this can’t be happening. That’s an impossible choice. I’m so stunned that it takes me a moment to gather my spinning thoughts.
“You do realize that I’m a bounty hunter, not an assassin, right?”
“I don’t care what you call yourself, little girl. You’re good with a gun and have the ability to get close to the target because you’ve established some kind of relationship with his younger brother.”
My worst nightmare is coming true. I vowed to protect Angelo, but if I hurt Miceli, he would never forgive me. Besides, I don’t kill people. I only hunt them down and turn them over. Bad people, too. Miceli has done nothing but try to help us.
Oh, God, how is this happening? I feel trapped in the corner. There’s absolutely know way I can let Angelo get hurt because the truth is I’m falling in love with him. I can’t let Gallo see that, though.
“If I take out Miceli, I want your word that you will never bother me or the Rossi family again.”
His mouth curls up in an evil-looking smirk. “Deal.”
I know he’s lying to me. He looks too smug and I can’t trust him. I’m going to need to figure out how to take care of this situation myself…and fast.
“I need it done immediately, though. By tomorrow night.”
“That doesn’t give me enough time to plan or?—”
“I don’t care,” he snaps. “You either make it happen and eliminate Miceli or Angelo winds up gutted in a dark alley. You choose. But, know that time starts now.”
I curse under my breath.
“Take his name off that list now or no deal,” I snarl. Anger courses through me and I refuse to let this bastard hold all the cards.
“ His name or your name?” he asks, studying me so intently that I squirm.
I have no other choice but to lay it all out there. “His name,” I whisper.
Gallo shakes his head then smirks again. “I knew I was right about you and him. I could see it all over you the moment you walked in here.”
“See what?” I ask, confused.
“Women in love have a certain…smell, shall we say? And you, my dear, reek of it.”
Smell? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Like a bitch in heat,” he clarifies, and my stomach turns.
Asshole. “Remove Angelo’s name now,” I hiss.
He inclines his head, picks up his phone and I listen carefully as he places the quick call. He requests Angelo’s name to be removed, but not mine. I grit my teeth and realize I am in a very shitty position. But, at least Angelo is now safe. I accomplished what I’d set out to do—sacrifice myself for him.
But, I had no idea that Gallo would turn the tables on me like this.
He hangs up his phone then lifts his wrist and waves his watch back and forth. “Tick tock, my lovely. Now go kill Miceli Rossi or your man is dead.”
I feel sick as I turn and walk out. There’s nothing more I can say to this monster. Now all I can do is come up with some kind of a plan because there’s no way I’m killing Miceli.
But if you don’t do it then Angelo will die.
Shit.
What the hell am I going to do?
Whatever it is, I need to figure it out fast.