Chapter 10 #2
“Indeed, exactly how it should be. No need to get your hands dirty,” Mario says pleasantly, and Tristan gapes at him incredulously.
“You know who we’re talking about, don’t you?” he asks his adoptive father, gesturing to me. “The angel of death definitely gets her hands dirty.”
Now it’s Mario’s turn to scoff. “Please, the angel of death is the Russo’s enforcer and, according to rumors, one scary motherfucker who doesn’t often leave anyone alive to tell tales.
There’s no way Tori is their enforcer. She’s just a pretty face who had her father and brother wrapped around her finger, so they gave her more responsibility than she deserved.
In the Maricuso family, you earn your stripes.
” He scowls at me like I offended him, but I just bat my eyelashes.
“My father knew the importance of presenting a pretty picture,” I say demurely, and his scowl turns to sleazy approval.
“Hmm, and what a pretty picture it is. Maybe I should have a taste of what I so kindly gifted my son.” He takes a step toward me, and I ball my hands into fists, because I have no gun to reach for.
Even the knife tucked into my bra isn’t going to be very helpful at the moment.
Before I can lash out, though, Xavier steps between us.
“I’m not done with her yet. Remember, we need a Maricuso baby, and you can’t do that.” Mario pauses and glares at Xavier, but before he can respond, Gregor pipes up.
“No, but I can, then it would be pure Maricuso, not your defective junkie DNA.” Gregor runs his gaze down my body and back up, smirking. “I’ll take one for the team just to get my hands on that piece of ass. Why should you have all the fun?”
“Like fuck!” Xavier spins and steps toward Gregor, who blanches and backs up against the wall of the elevator. “You keep those hands and eyes to yourself if you want to continue to function.”
“Mario, call off your dog,” Gregor snaps. “Who the fuck does he think he is? He’s some dirty peasant blood you found in an orphanage and gave our name to. Put him in his place.”
I watch the interaction with bated breath. Things are definitely not happy in the house of Maricuso. There is certainly a divide. I wonder if I can force that gap a little wider.
“Watch your fucking mouth, Gregor. I am still head of this family, and while I remain so, I will give orders. Xavier will breed Tori. He might not be blood, but he is as much my son as your daughter is yours.” He smirks evilly, and Gregor pales.
“Ah, you didn’t think I knew that Stacey wasn’t your child.
I know we both suffer from the same ailment, neither of us being able to continue the family line.
You thought you were one-upping me by allowing your wife to get pregnant by someone else.
She told me everything when I bent her over your kitchen counter and fucked her, promising her that I would make her my next wife once you were out of the picture. ”
Gregor starts to splutter but quickly shuts up when Mario pulls a gun from his jacket.
We all take a step back. A gun shot in a tiny elevator can go very wrong.
Xavier steps in front of me with both Colton and Tristan flanking him, completely blocking me from the two older men who seem to be having a standoff.
“You thought, with the Maricuso blood inheritance stipulations, that when I didn’t produce a blood heir, everything would go to your branch of the family, right?
Well, it won’t. Only Casey was the true Maricuso of her generation.
Our sister was the only one of the family who was able to produce a child, which would have been fortunate since she was also carrying a blood Russo.
It would have been perfect, but alas, that is no longer the case.
” He doesn’t sound too upset. I guess yesterday’s performance was an act for the FBI agents.
He shrugs. “So we will do the best we can in this situation. Now that there is no longer a blood Maricuso to carry on the legacy, it reverts to the head of the family’s line, which is me and whoever I give my name to.
I am so sick of you and all your whining.
Just be glad your daughter is more ruthless than you are.
She is going to make my son a perfect wife and will do exactly what is needed when asked for.
I have plans for our dear Stacey. After she marries Tristan, she will be given to our potential partners as a goodwill gesture to use for their pleasure.
What better way to establish a partnership than sharing one of our own? ”
“What? No. My daughter is not a whore.” Gregor straightens his shoulders and pushes out his chest, finally growing some balls and sticking up for her, even if she isn’t his blood.
“She’s whatever I say she is, just like your wife. I wonder if she’s enjoying her time with our new cartel friends.”
My stomach rolls, and I feel an ounce of sympathy for Stacey’s mom. She was a raging bitch, but nobody deserves to be given to the cartel. I can’t help but feel a little gleeful about Stacey’s future though, because it’s nothing more than the bitch deserves.
The tension in the small box is excruciating, and I peer around the boys to see Mario’s finger twitch on the trigger.
I wince and brace myself for the shot, but Xavier reaches out and puts his hand over the top of Mario’s gun.
“Not here. Deal with it later,” he mutters as the doors open, and the executive offices appear.
Susan is at her desk, her eyes wide with alarm as she takes us all in.
“Fine,” Mario mutters, putting the gun back in the holster inside his jacket before straightening it.
“Don’t test me, Gregor, you won’t like the outcomes,” he threatens before stepping out.
Gregor’s eyes glimmer with malice, but he keeps his mouth shut.
Oh yes, I can probably work with this, but what does he want more?
His brother’s approval or to be head of the family?
Fratricide is definitely not off the table though.
He follows his brother out, muttering under his breath, and the tension in the elevator lowers once more.
“Come on, let’s get this shit show on the road,” Tristan mutters, looking tired. Xavier and Colton follow their adoptive family, leaving me to take a deep breath.
Fuck, it’s going to be a long couple of days, but there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I can practically see it.