Chapter 3 Nathan ’Scorpion’ Bridger #2
Nathan sighed. "We all have our fates in this world. Some people are fated to be killed by others who were professionally trained to kill them."
"Damn, you're cold as ice," Zindel said, shaking his head.
Vito smirked because he could understand where Nathan was coming from.
He'd been raised knowing that he'd one day have to join the family business.
At sixteen, he killed his first man as a rite of passage for their family.
Rico and his son Enzo did the same when they were sixteen, and that was also when they received the Castiello tattoo.
Some families just had their traditions.
"Getting back on subject, as for their little motorcycle gang, my club is handling them," Wolf said. "We've taken out eight of their members."
"How many have you lost on your end?" Nathan asked.
"Four," Wolf said with a frown.
"Sorry to hear that," Nathan said. He knew through Ze how close the club was, how they cherished their members.
"Thanks," Wolf said.
"So, you just need me and my boys to take out these three targets?"
"For starters. I've lost twenty men, two of my top capos included. They are vicious fucks," Vito said. "Killing those three will hurt Da Han, especially since Tian Yu is his brother."
Nathan nodded. "I'll get right on it." He rose to leave, then stopped. "By the way, my mom wanted to give you a token of our appreciation for your professionalism."
Vito lifted his black eyebrows. "A token, or a favor to be repaid in the future?"
Nathan smiled. "Friends washing the hands of one another."
Vito smirked. "I see. You don't want financial compensation for this favor?"
"This one requires quid pro quo when necessary."
"What is it?"
Nathan held his hand up. "Hold on there. Do you have the authority to make that deal?"
"Rico trusts me. I make the deal; you come to me to fulfill it. Understand?" Vito said.
Nathan nodded. "Fair enough. There's an eye in this very building that needs gouging."
Vito frowned. "Poetic. Who?"
Nathan tapped on his cell phone's screen, then texted Vito a photo and file.
He waited for Vito to receive the encrypted message before explaining.
"I don't know what name he is using here, but he's DEA.
" He looked at Wolf. "Your prospect is also DEA.
" He sent Wolf a file including the photo as well.
Vito frowned as he looked over the information, then sneered. "How in the hell did you get this intel?" he asked, because even with their connections, they didn't have this important detail.
"The Bridger family has fingers in all of the pies, whereas your family has to put people on payrolls and hope they remain loyal.
Our family is an entire network that gives us a direct line to nearly every piece of information we need.
We're doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians, royalty, socialites, law enforcement—you name it, we have family in it.
Only my line is strictly in the elimination business, and it's my family that makes sure the rest of the family stays loyal," Nathan said.
"What about fast-food workers?" Zindel asked, since Nathan was bragging.
Nathan chuckled. "If we need people in those positions, then yes, even if it's temporary. But it will be a burger flipper who lives in a penthouse condo because he won't need the paycheck. Our money is old and growing."
"Impressive indeed," Vito said.
"That's pretty cool," Zindel said. He already knew a lot because of Colton, but Nathan just gave him some tidbits that he found juicy.
"Getting back to this. Are you expecting a favor from me too for this information?" Wolf asked as he read it over.
"Don't worry. You're family."
Vito scoffed at that.
"Zindel is dating Vito," Demir pointed out.
"Dating, yes," Nathan said. "Whereas Ze is married to my brother, and they have a kid together. We wouldn't want Ze or Colton to get caught up in an investigation against the Lords because they didn't catch the rat in a trap. We look out for our extended family."
"Fuck a trap. I'm just going to kill this son of a bitch," Wolf snarled.
"I'd find out what he told them first," Nathan said. "He's been a member of your club for the past six months."
"So, our Orlando chapter had to deal with Ajay, who had been planted as an undercover agent for the DEA. These must be the others Dasan warned us about," Wolf said.
"Ajay flipped, though. Fell for one of your brothers, and now he's done with the DEA," Nathan said.
"Is he really?" Vito asked, one eyebrow cocked.
Nathan nodded. "Turned in his badge and everything. He's fully devoted to the club now."
"Your family really stays up-to-date on current events," Vito remarked.
Nathan smiled. "Helps to have two Lords on our grapevine."
"I've got some fumigating to do at the clubhouse. Call me if you need me," Wolf said as he rose. He kissed Demir before he left.
"Thank you for this information," Vito told Nathan.
"No problem," Nathan said, then looked around Vito's office, out of the large one-way window behind the man, overlooking the empty club below. "This is a nice business venture you have going here."
Vito nodded. "It is and has its benefits."
"Oh, I'm sure. Great for laundering money," Nathan speculated.
"And making money," Vito shot back. "In fact, why don't you enjoy a show before you leave? Demir can take you." He turned to Demir. "While you're there, Demir, gather our newest employee."
"Understood," Demir said, then he gestured for Nathan to follow him.
"Mind if I watch the show you're about to put on first?" Nathan asked.
"Show?" Vito asked, head tilted.
"You dealing with your rat problem. I want to see how the Castiello family handles business... if you don't mind, that is," Nathan said.
"Suit yourself," Vito said.
"I've just got to ask, how skilled are your twins? I mean, they're only twelve?" Zindel asked Nathan.
"What were you doing when you were twelve?" Nathan asked him.
Zindel shrugged. "Jerking off with a finger in my ass."
Vito spit up the liquor he'd been sipping at that very moment, and Nathan just smirked. It was obvious to him that Zindel was the opposite of Ze. Where his big brother was reserved, Zindel was anything but. He was starting to see why the pretty thing had captivated Vito "The Vise" Castiello.
"Jesus, Minx," Vito said as he wiped his mouth with his handkerchief.
"What?" Zindel asked. "You know I don't have a filter."
"Not when you don't want to use it," Vito said.
"You know me so well," Zindel said, then leaned down, kissing the man who owned his heart and soul.
Nathan chuckled. "All right, apart from enjoying your carnal activities, what else were you doing?"
Zindel pursed his pretty lips, then smiled. "Picking pockets."
Nathan nodded. "Cody and David, I've trained them personally since the age of two."
"That's so weird. In the club, kids are allowed to still be kids. Not me, as I've stated, because I grew up on the streets for a while until the Lords took us in, but by that time, I wasn't like normal kids," Zindel said.
"Understandable. But in my family, this is our tradition. My boys have been allowed their playtime, but when it's time to get down to business, they do. Right now, they're probably watching cartoons or playing video games."
"Oh, I see," Zindel said.
"As long as they can eliminate their targets, I don't care how they were raised," Vito said.
"You don't have to worry," Nathan assured him.
The door opened, and everyone turned to see Demir escort a man inside.
His pale skin had a pinkish tint, and his straight hair was slicked back.
He had an average build but looked toned.
Nothing more remarkable about his appearance.
Nathan figured that was intentional so that he wouldn't stand out too much.
Nathan knew why the DEA had appointed the man to the club.
There was an illegal casino and bordello here.
That would be enough to give the Castiellos a lot of trouble.
The fact that this place was still functioning meant that their agent hadn't breached those sections yet, so he had no proof to give to the DEA. At least, that's what he assumed.
Demir gestured for the man to sit down, and he did.
"You wanted me, sir?" the man asked in a calm voice.
Vito and Nathan looked at the man in silence, long enough for the man to fidget in his seat. It wasn't anything too glaring, just a twiddling of his thumbs. Someone who didn't have their keen eyes might have missed it.
Zindel rolled his eyes, then huffed. "I'll see myself out."
"Don't go too far," Vito told him.
"I'll just be at my desk," Zindel kissed Vito, tongue and all, before breaking away and leaving.
"He doesn't like it when you handle this kind of business?" Nathan asked, since Zindel got to stick around for their conversation.
Vito chuckled and shook his head. "Not his cup of tea. But make no mistake, he can handle anything."
"To be with you, I don't doubt it," Nathan said.
Vito returned his attention to the man in front of him. The rat bastard. "What did you tell them about us?"
"What? What are you talking about?" the man asked as if he didn't know it was all over for him.
Demir reared his hand back to strike him, but Vito held a hand up. "Don't."
Demir lowered his fist and stood by.
The man in the chair began to grow more nervous. He scooted to the edge. "Look, Mr. Castiello, I don't know what's going on here, but I don't think I did anything wrong."
"Did you check him for listening or visual devices?" Vito asked.
"Standard practices. He's never been caught with one, and he doesn't have one on him now," Demir said.
"Good." Vito rose and walked around his desk until he was standing before the man. "I'm not one to beat around the bush."
"You just beat the bush," Demir joked, and Nathan smirked as he tossed the assassin a glance. He didn't think the man had it in him—a sense of humor—but apparently, he did.