Chapter 17 #2
Zorro peered up at me as we headed toward the small warehouse.
In purchasing and renovating the group of buildings years before, we’d managed to utilize almost every inch of space.
It had been my mother’s brainchild, and my sister’s continued project since she was mostly running every aspect of the Indulgence portion of our corporate conglomeration.
Especially since the Miami property would soon be ready for occupancy.
That could prove necessary to place on hold depending on if the Italians were about to become an issue. If Carmine was expecting his family from Italy to bail him out, I doubted that would occur. From what I knew, Vitelli had burned family bridges when leaving Italy.
“At minimum, I need the names of as much hierarchy of the Five Families in Italy that you can find,” I told Donatello.
“Jesus, boss. That could take weeks.”
“You have days.”
“Here I thought being with a woman would put you in a better mood.”
“You thought wrong.”
I opened the door, nodding to Malcolm and Keiffer. They would ensure Damien didn’t try to leave prematurely.
I crouched down, stroking Zorro while listening for any telltale signs of the man in question. Hearing a single thud brought a smile to my face. Just before unclipping the leash from Zorro’s collar, I thought about how he’d reacted to Anna.
“Go find, Zorro.”
He knew what to do. Few people understood that there wasn’t an aggressive bone in Zorro’s body. He’d be more likely to lick someone to death versus anything else, but given his size, his coloration, and his big white canines, he appeared menacing.
Just enough to startle someone into making a misstep.
Zorro didn’t need to gather the man’s scent. He was simply searching for anyone who wasn’t the people he’d come with.
A sharp, very masculine cry seconds later and both Donatello and I were laughing. I took my time heading toward where Damien was standing with a look of absolute horror on his face.
True to Zorro’s training, he had his canines bared, even growling every few seconds. What Damien wasn’t paying attention to was the fact the big dog’s tail was whooshing back and forth across the cold, hard tile.
I leaned against a set of liquor boxes, studying them while Zorro continued his intimidation tactics.
Through the years of countless violence and bloodshed, where a portion of me had once been eager to prove my worth in the family’s legacy, I’d grown weary of the constant battles. Even though I’d admitted to boredom, acting on a need for revenge wasn’t the kind of hobby my sister had in mind.
“Zorro. Heel.”
Zorro snuffled as he stared at Damien, allowing the fearful man to hear another growl before trotting in my direction.
“Mr. Prince. I didn’t know you had a dog.” Damien was already sweating like a pig, only partly due to the presence of a terrifying animal. When traitors were caught in a trap of their own making, only those highly trained in subterfuge could keep from presenting their fears.
Damien was a two-bit player and nothing more. Just by his actions alone I was beginning to believe Sergio had acted on his own. Whether out of defiance or a test, I didn’t care at this point. The annoyance alone I’d been forced to endure the last two days was enough to warrant his… dismissal.
“Zorro has been with the pack for a couple months now. He’s a very good boy.
Aren’t you?” I used my pup voice, the one Donatello had already teased me about.
Zorro harrumphed and eased down by my feet, content after doing his job.
“He’s been good inside, not making a single mess.
He’s a bit of a food hound and adores his toys.
I’ve yet to take him to Starbucks for a pup cup though. ”
“I thought your sister had ordered special cups for the bistro,” Donatello interjected.
I shook my head. “Fuck. You’re right. I forgot all about that.
” I’d learned the trick of putting those I was about to interrogate off guard from Alexander.
He was the master of being diplomatic, using his debonair qualities to his benefit.
“Zorro. We’ll head to the bistro tomorrow.
A treat for you being such a good boy tonight.
” I even hunkered down, taking a few seconds to rub Zorro behind the ears.
“Mr. Prince. I don’t mean to rush you, but the club is going to open in a little while and I have a list of things to do.”
Damien was thoroughly confused. Or so it would seem. I stood, stepping over Zorro and walking closer. “You’re right. Time is of the essence and I’m in a shitty mood. Donatello. Do the honors so we can cut through the bullshit.”
“You got it, boss.”
While the video was being shown, I moved to another row of liquor boxes.
Evidently Damien had been somewhat frantic to try to find the drugs.
That could mean he had buyers heading into the club tonight.
It didn’t matter who, the chances of the drugs getting into the hands of street dealers who would then cut and distribute it with dangerous garbage and distribute to minors were too great.
By the time I turned backed toward Damien, I could tell by his expression he knew he was about to die.
At least the kid wasn’t blubbering as of yet or trying to make excuses.
Only those with a sadistic streak enjoyed watching grown men suffer by way of reducing themselves to sobbing, drooling idiots.
That wasn’t my style.
“Okay, Damien. Let’s cut through the bullshit. With Zorro’s help, the drugs were intercepted at the main warehouse, the delivery drivers dealt with. So, all that’s left is for you to confirm that Sergio Russo is the man using you as a mule. And if so, what’s the end game?”
“End game?” he repeated.
“Yes. You know what I mean. Is Sergio working under the guise of the Russo family or rogue, suddenly deciding to make his own headway into the game of illegal drugs? They should be easy answers for you.” I thought I was being nice by not shoving a weapon into his face and that Zorro was enough of a strong-arm.
Maybe I was wrong.
Damien didn’t just have the deer in the headlights look. He acted as if my questions were gibberish.
This shit used to be easier.
I wasn’t honestly certain what to expect at this point. He stared at me with a hard look in his eyes, trying to decide if betraying Sergio was the lesser of the evils.
That was completely understandable.
“He, um… Sergio approached me.”
“How do you know him?” I was genuinely curious.
Damien took a deep breath. “We go to the same gym. We talked a few times.”
“Alright. Go on.” That could mean Sergio had been nurturing a relationship with Damien, which indicated a plan had been in motion for longer than anyone had believed.
“He said it would be quick money. That’s all I know.”
“Ah. I see. Okay.” I took a deep breath. If he thought I’d leave the situation this way, he was way too young and na?ve and everyone who worked for me knew the drill of who the family was and what we were capable of.
Or maybe I’d simply underestimated the guy because when he took off running, it took both Donatello and me a full three seconds to react.
“What the fuck?”
The worst part was that Damien wasn’t headed to the main door. He obviously knew I’d brought backup. So where the fuck was he going?
I was much faster than my Capo but not nearly as quick as my canine companion, although Damien was zigging and zagging through the maze of boxes and steel shelves. Where the fuck was he headed?
As if reading my mind, Donatello provided the answer.
“The hidden stairs!”
Ah, shit. I’d forgotten all about them. In the renovation process, we had several different security measures installed including a private, well-hidden stairway that only family members and those on the upper echelon of rankings within the soldiers knew existed.
Which meant Damien had used the stairway for his illegal activities for a while. He was already through the door, with the soft close almost back to the original closed position by the time Zorro was skidding his way in front.
I wasn’t long past, throwing open the door. At first, I was certain he’d gone down. However given the location to the main set of stairs, he might know I’d have men ready to stop him as soon as he hit the main floor.
So he went up to the only floor he did have access to.
The main dance club.
Well, fuck. This I hadn’t anticipated. Zorro and I picked up speed, Donatello right behind us and I overheard him notifying Malcolm of what was transpiring.
In my tight-fitting suit and polished Gucci loafers, I was no match for a ten-years-younger man in tennis shoes. But I pushed my limits, thankful for all the hours spent in the gym in the boxing ring.
The only thing Damien could accomplish was obtaining a weapon. That’s what I was going on as I pulled out my Glock.
Music was already pounding through the walls as the employees prepared to open. While the noise was excellent cover if I had to take a shot, horrifying the employees wasn’t on my list of desirable choices.
He’d already thrown open the door, rushing into the corridor that was between the two private rooms and the main dance floor. It also led to the employee locker room before fanning out to the small employee lounge and the employee bathrooms.
When he started tossing boxes and anything he could get his hands on in my direction, I was pissed. “Zorro. Stay,” I told the pup, fearful he’d be hurt in the ensuing chaos.
I couldn’t take the time to make sure he’d obeyed. I had to concentrate on where Damien was going. The second he disappeared briefly, I pushed myself against the wall, creeping closer. Now I had my weapon in both hands, inching to the corner.
As soon as I darted my head around the edge, I was shocked I didn’t see him. But there was a locker door standing open. I’d need to go on the assumption he had a weapon of some kind.
Donatello was close and I glanced in his direction. “Check on the other employees. They are not to come back here.”