38. Lucas
CHAPTER 38
Lucas
R ing. Ring.
I stare at the screen. Ezra. What does he want? My gut twists, suspicion creeping in like a shadow. After what happened to Nora and me at the gym... I'd be stupid to think his family wasn't involved. I answer, keeping my voice even.
"Ezra. What's up?"
"Lucas, I heard about the shooting. Your friend - is she okay?" He sounds surprised, concerned even. But I don't buy it, not for a second.
"She's fine." I pace my office, my free hand clenching into a fist.
"That's good to hear. Any idea who did this?"
I pause, listening for any hint of deception in his voice. "No. But I have my suspicions."
"Hmm. If there's anything I can do -"
I cut him off, my patience thinner than usual, "What do you want?"
"We need to deal with the Fabiettis once and for all. Questi bastardi - these bastards - have been a thorn in our side for too long. You, my friend, would also benefit from seeing them taken down. Who knows, they may have even been involved in your attack."
The word 'friend' coming out of his mouth tastes like poison. I know he hates me; they all do. Nothing between us spells friendship. But I can't argue with his reasoning. The Fabietti family has been encroaching on Mancini territory, muscling in on our rackets. This war is at our doorstep; all we can do is fight. There's no other way out of this. And it wouldn't hurt to see the man who almost had what's mine out of the picture.
"Okay, what's the plan?" I ask, my curiosity piqued despite my reservations.
"We want The Fallen Angels Cartel's full support in this war. With it, we can crush the Fabiettis like the cockroaches they are. We’ll need their manpower."
I whistle softly. What he's asking is no small deal. We've partnered with them for the narcotics and basic protection, and while it's working in our favor so far, I know what they're capable of. Unleashing a ruthless Mexican cartel with a reputation for brutality onto the streets of Oakland? I know the Mancinis are desperate for relief, but I don't know if this is the answer.
"What do you need me to do?" I ask, knowing I won't like the answer.
"I need you to reach out to Don Martin. Convince him to back us against the Fabiettis. Call in whatever favors you need to make it happen. We’re prepared to renegotiate our contract in their favor if it helps sweeten the pot. Whatever it takes. It beats losing it all to the Fabiettis."
I lean against the wall, my head spinning. "And what do I get out of this? Aside from keeping your precious famiglia safe?" I can't keep the bitterness from my voice.
Ezra is silent for a moment. "Your life, Lucas. You do this for us, help us take down the Fabiettis, and you're out. No more being our sicario, our hitman. You can walk away, live your life in peace."
I close my eyes, my heart hammering in my chest. Freedom. A chance to finally leave this life of violence and death behind. And if I'm lucky, to build a future with the woman I love by my side.
But at what cost? Can I really trust the Mancinis to keep his word? And can I live with myself in the aftermath of unleashing The Fallen Angels on the streets of Oakland?
I take a deep breath, and my decision is made. I have no choice but to trust his word. "I'll do it. But you better keep your end of the deal, Ezra. No games, no lies. Entiendes?"
"Understood. You have my word, Lucas."
I hang up, my hand shaking slightly. I've just made a deal with the devil, and I can only pray that I haven't damned us all in the process.