CHAPTER 74 - RED
CHAPTER
Red
“IS IT TRUE THAT you’ve called a meeting between other firms in our territories?” Liam asks before I even get in the door. “Some from Southwark, Elephant and Castle, as well as Lambeth. That’s what I’ve been told so far.”
“Yes, that’s correct.” I place my jacket on the chair; it never ceasing to amaze me that word travels quicker than I do. “Dario has also offered to contact associates of his family’s firm in Sicily who are within organizations in this country. Arianna’s dealing with that.”
“Were you planning on letting us know about this at all, or is our firm now ‘Redmond Bateman and Wife Esquire’?”
Liam’s face is so pinched with anger it looks like he’s been sucking lemons.
“It just so happens that my wife suggested additional solutions and ideas that are fucking good - ones we should have thought of ourselves,” I seethe, my patience with my wildcard of a brother evaporating earlier than usual.
Jumping on me the second I arrive for our meeting is not helping anything, especially considering the other factors playing on my mind.
“The fucking fundamental flaw with your argument is if that’s the case, then how come you haven’t questioned who told me about bringing in these additional men?”
Liam stares me out, his tongue rolling inside his cheek, and I flare at the sarcasm smeared over his face. “I haven’t got time for your games.”
“Games? These aren’t games,” he barks. “You appear uninterested in the source, but you shouldn’t be because one of our runners heard Lar Renton discussing it in the Blue Bell last night.”
I’m halfway across my office when I stop. “Lar Renton?”
“Yeah, you heard right. The cunt who’s made no bones about championing Matteo Galvatore and one of the first men to break away and join the wankers on their merry crusade.” Liam folds his arms. “Are you sure Dario Vezzozi can be trusted because it ain’t looking that way to me.”
“I trust Dario!” I snap, thinking I should point out that the man has proved more loyal to me in the past few days than Liam has. “He wouldn’t do that. Dario is as vehemently against this pureblood order as we are.”
“We hear what you’re saying,” Oscar reasons, “but who else could it be? Who else have you told, because we only heard via this Lar bloke.”
I frown, my head spinning. “It was only discussed last night. I’ve told no one besides Arianna and Dario, so it doesn’t make sense. I planned to tell you about it now - hence this meeting.”
“What about Maria? Did she know?”
My office goes quiet. “Maria? I haven’t said anything to her.”
“No?” Liam smirks. “But I bet your life Arianna has, so work it out. First, there was that bullshit about rings, notes and Luca yesterday, and now within hours of you and Arianna deciding on this new plan between you, a member of Matteo’s team is speaking of it.
If you’re adamant this has nothing to do with Vezzozi, then it’s got to be Maria. ”
His face is a mask of rage. “That girl pretends to be a virgin queen, yet you said yourself she was Matteo’s favorite. She’s here within our fold, but she’s still in with them somewhere, you mark my words.”
Not quite able to believe I’m hearing this, I stride across my office, noting Oscar and Cal’s silence. They all suspect this too? It’s ridiculous. This latest attempt at a witch hunt brings me back to the topic that’s been playing on my mind.
I lean against the edge of my desk, acting casual, when in reality I want to bulldoze my brother to the ground.
“You can’t help yourself, can you? All of these accusations when it’s you behind the problems. It’s you who is so desperate to get Maria out of here that you’ve made it look like she’s plotting against us. ”
This wasn’t the way I’d planned to broach this subject, but now it’s out.
“You planted that note and ring in Maria’s room to fuck her head up.
You. And now you’re saying she’s a mole?
” My finger juts out to press Liam’s nose.
Hard. “You’re the issue here, Liam. You always have been.
Always blaming everyone you don’t like.”
Liam bats my hand away, the chop to my forearm deadening my nerves. “You’ve gone back on everything you promised. First your hatred was for Arianna and now it’s on Maria.”
“You cunt!” Liam lurches forward to grab the lapels of my jacket. “How dare you suggest th...”
“Fucking stop it!” Oscar barges between me and Liam, which is a good job because I’m about to floor my brother.
“You didn’t hear fuck all from Lar Renton really, did you? It’s just a convenient thing to say. It won’t work, Liam. Nor will planting shit in rooms. No one got in here - the CCTV is proof of that, which only leaves you. If all you can do is behave like a spoiled child, then get the hell out!”
“Remember the last time you tried to banish me? Is that what you want? Choosing your Italians over me yet again?” Liam lurches forward at the same time I do, and Cal joins Oscar in separating us.
“Red, I was there when the runner told us of what Renton said.”
I turn on my heels, dragging my fingers through my hair.
“Maria doesn’t have the brains to think like that.
She’s a child in her mind. We all know she’s a fucking liability, and yes - you’re right - she’s not helping anything.
She’s doing the fucking opposite! I know you want her gone.
We all do, but if you’re stooping to those levels to achieve what you want, Liam, then. ..”
“Then what?” Liam snarls. “Fine! I’ll fucking go. Keep your demented sister-in-law here and watch the place fucking burn!”
“Bruv, don’t be daft. There’s been a misunderstanding. Red doesn’t really think you’re behind this.” Oscar reaches for Liam’s arm only to be shook away.
Liam looks at me to see if I’ll agree and that I don’t mean what I just said, but by my stony glare and silence he knows otherwise.
“Christ,” Oscar hisses as Liam strides to the door looking like he will kill.
Liam opens the door, stopping himself from walking into Arianna and Maria outside in the corridor. “For fuck’s sake!”
Maria looks bereft. I sigh with frustration. It’s obvious they’ve heard everything.
Arianna eyes Liam coolly before turning to me. “I was coming to tell you that I’ve spoken to Dario and he’s getting things in place from his side, but decided to check on Maria first.” Her violet eyes travel accusingly across each of us. “We heard what you all said, and you’re wrong.”
“Arianna, don’t get involved.” I move towards the door, but she barges past Liam, dragging Maria with her.
“I’m disappointed you have so little faith in my sister and each other,” she snaps. “The reason you’re wrong about everything you say is because just now in Maria’s room, I found this.”
Eyes blazing, she throws a tiny object on the floor in front of us. I stare at the small black square, my adrenalin pumping at breakneck speed.
“Yes, it is what you think it is.” Arianna kicks the little square with her foot. “It was transmitting, but I’ve disabled it. If you can’t work out what I’m saying yet because you’re all so hell-bent on arguing between yourselves like children, then I’ll make it easy for you.”
She points at the object. “This is a bug. Someone in this casino has planted it so that everything I discuss with my sister was heard, and yes, I did tell her about our new plan to increase our stronghold, but it wasn’t her informing anyone. Nor was it Dario. Even Liam is innocent this time!”
Her eyes raise to mine. “Someone in your casino planted it, and at a wild guess, that person is also responsible for the note and ring. Someone on your payroll is working for them. Now, wouldn’t it be more useful to work out who the fuck that is, rather than anything else?”
With that, Arianna turns on her heels, grabs Maria’s hand and drags her out of my office, leaving us all standing in stunned silence.