7. Carmine #2
“Well, Vincent, how can we help you today?” My mother always insisted on showing kindness before shoving the dagger deep into their guts. I’ve lived by that rule for most of my adult life.
“I want to buy you out,” he states simply, making a real effort not to squirm in his seat.
“Is that so?” I take a sip of my drink, the slow burn cooling my temper only marginally. “The Cavanaughs and Sinclairs have run this city for generations. What makes you believe we’d give up that legacy? And to an outsider no less.”
“Well, uh, as you know, my father, Carlisle–“
“Ah, yes, how is old Carlisle? I heard a rumor this morning that a body was found in the Hudson River…a bullet hole to the head. The man looked an awful lot like your father.” I take another drink, chugging the rest back before slamming the crystal glass on my desk, making Vincent and his remaining men jump.
“Yes, that…well… It’s unfortunate, you see. His enemies, there were many.” Vincent makes the sign of the cross. He’s a good actor.
“Enemies. I didn’t realize that included you.”
His anger appears, flashing in his eyes like a lightning strike as I get to my feet and place my hands palm down on the smooth cherry wood. “I dislike being lied directly to my face, boy.”
“Who said it was me?” he challenges, lifting his chin, trying to hide his fear of me.
“I know everything that happens in this state. I have ears in every organization, and you are such a little nobody that it wasn’t hard to turn people.”
Sneering at me, Vincent gets to his own feet, his hand in his pocket.
I laugh and shake my head as Jermaine tells him, “Not a smart idea.”
Malice and Holy step forward then, expertly disabling Vincent’s two men, who are still wary of their place here, by kicking out their knees and pressing the muzzle of their guns to the back of their heads as they kneel in front of the brothers.
“A fucking ambush?” Vincent shouts.
“Calm yourself. You are the one who showed up with eight men. There are only four of us here.” I continue when he sits back down, “Now, let’s discuss your maneuvers in the future.”
“My maneuvers?” His eyes go wide, filled with uncertainty.
“Yes. You see, the things you were trying to pull with Nico Moretti, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth.” We were able to connect with the Jersey man, and he was amused by Vincent’s offer to buy him out as well.
“You need to learn that you can’t just throw money at things you wish to have; you must earn them. ”
It finally dawns on Vincent how monumentally he fucked up with me now and retorts with, “Everyone has a price.” He clears the wobble from his throat and shoves his shaking hands into his pockets again.
“Perhaps, some do. I don’t. You, however, are going to pay it.” A satisfied grin finally crosses my face.
“What does that mean?” His men begin to see the light as they witness their boss unravel.
“You’ll find out soon enough. Don’t contact me again, Vincent. Any business we’ve had together is dissolved now.” Panic bulges his eyes. “Carter O’Neill, Nico Moretti, and Johnny Torrio send their regards but wish for no more contact as well. This will be your final warning.”
Sputtering, Vincent looks around the room, meeting every man’s gaze he can before straightening up and snarling, “And what about Noa Carmichael? Should she be left alone as well?”
If not for my twenty-plus years of concealing my emotions, I don’t know that I’d be able to keep my cool.
He’s threatening my woman, my child, and her children by even mentioning her name.
If not for the planned raid, thanks to some well-placed men in the police department, I’d kill Vincent where he stands and sleep like a baby tonight.
However, my own plans prevent me from doing so in order to keep a low profile.
Instead of planting a bullet in his chest and two in his skull, I school my features and look him square in the eye as I say, “The last man who tried to play games with me hasn’t been found in a decade.
” Giving Malice a signal, he and Holy herd all three men out of my office before another word is said.
“I’m on it,” Jermaine comments before I can ask for security to be placed at Noa’s school, the kids’ school, and their apartment.
“If she knows she’s in danger because of me, I’ll never get her to move in here.” Groaning, I drop into my chair now that we’re alone. “I’m too old for this shit.”
“What about the girls?” Jer asks.
A bark of laughter escapes me. “Malice has Odette and Finn covered. I’ll speak with Aura this evening, and CJ will do as she always does and give them the slip.” My daughters are all just like their mother, stubborn as hell.
“So, tell their details to be discreet?” He knows me so well. I nod, realizing I’ll catch hell from my daughters, but I’d rather they be safe than dead, even if they’re angry. “Could always get Nico on CJ,” Jer offers. “He’s had eyes on her for a few years now.”
“Fuck no.” The man runs more brothels than any other organization in the country. She doesn’t need to be anywhere near that.
Shooting my friend a glare, he smirks and says, “You know he doesn’t sleep with the girls, right?”
“I don’t give a fuck.” She’s doing things with her life. She doesn’t need the added complication of having so many women around her man and fucking up her life. “Who do we have in prison?”
The minute Vincent is behind bars, he’s dead for making any kind of threat towards my woman. No fucking chance he’ll live out the week.