Chapter 13
Chapter
Thirteen
Enzo sat by the fireplace in his office with a crystal glass filled with a plentiful amount of bourbon.
He watched the play of light reflecting through the liquid and plotted a way out of the mess he was in.
The Nightfall group had shaken his grip on the city.
Other gangs circled his territory like vultures ready to divide the spoils of what he had built.
He had lost two crews in a short time; one had simply disappeared and the driver returned dead.
Not just dead, he thought to himself, but their skin had appeared colorless—paler than anyone he’d seen before, as if they were completely drained of blood.
The one guy left had driven the van to his own door with the bodies stacked like cordwood in the back.
Whatever he’d seen had left him a gibbering idiot who was totally useless for any insight into exactly what the hell had happened.
The scene was like some goddamn horror show!
The common factor in all these problems stemmed from one stupid bar.
Everything had gone to shit when that place opened its doors.
Not that they affected any of his revenue streams. The gambling, drugs, and whores were doing business as usual.
Nightfall’s lack of respect in not paying the tribute for operating on his turf couldn’t be allowed to continue without some reprisal, Enzo decided as he swirled the ice in the glass and took a drink.
Then there was the matter of his sister, Alessia.
He had sent her into that place to get more information on the bar’s operation, and all she had come back with was barely more than the last worthless guy who succeeded in getting inside!
To make matters worse, she was kidnapped from this very house.
Not that Enzo cared much about Alessia’s disappearance, but to take her out of his house under the watch of his useless guards, revealed another weakness.
His incompetent crew hadn’t noted the abductor’s presence until they’d reached the wall.
It was, however, not something his mother could ignore.
“You will bring her back to me, Enzo! I have stayed out of this family’s business out of respect for you, but you will discover what happened and get her home,” she had said in a voice he had not heard since his teenage years.
“Get your people out there and find her.”
He’d followed his mother’s desires after all when he put out the word of the bonus for her whereabouts and return.
Of course, her treachery couldn’t go unpunished.
Marrying her off to consolidate power was a brilliant plan.
His mother would be happy to see Alessia settled and ready to have grandbabies for her.
And Enzo wouldn’t look weak for allowing her to escape.
A knock on the office door interrupted his musings.
Enzo took a moment to sip his drink and savor the burn of the finely aged bourbon as the alcohol slid down his throat.
Straightening his collar and sitting a little taller in his chair, he directed his full attention to whoever was on the other side of the portal. “Come in!”
Frankie barged into the room, slamming the door behind him. Enzo sat up, ready to take his head off. His henchman’s furious expression made him pause. “What is going on, Frankie? You better have a damn good reason for this disrespect.”
The word disrespect seemed to capture Frankie’s attention. He visibly reined in some of his anger and announced, “I have news about Alessia, Boss. You won’t like it.”
“Tell me,” Enzo ordered. His eyes narrowed as he concentrated on Frankie.
Frankie moved to stand in front of Enzo before continuing, “I was out checking with the guys we have staking out that bar. I saw Alessia in a car with one of the Nightfall staff. She didn’t seem frightened at all about riding with him.”
Enzo gripped his glass tighter. “What exactly do you mean?” He leaned forward in his chair, pinning Frankie in front of him with his gaze.
Frankie was a snake, but he was loyal to Enzo.
Frankie’s highest ambition was to marry Alessia and tie himself into the family.
The heavy believed he’d gain power by controlling Enzo’s sister.
Little did he know, Enzo didn’t give a fuck about Alessia.
He wouldn’t have spent a moment looking for her if his mother hadn’t insisted.
Frankie scowled, red-faced with ire. “Your fucking sister was laughing and smiling at the driver of the car. She certainly didn’t appear like someone in a hostage situation.”
A steaming mass of fury gathered inside Enzo. To give himself time to control his reaction, Enzo slowly raised his glass to take another drink. “And where are they now?”
Frankie visibly spat out the words. “They headed away from the downtown area. I trailed them to some place in a ritzy suburban neighborhood. I’d never been out that far, but the house must be a big place beyond an impressive stone fence around the property.”
Enzo nodded his approval. Thank goodness, the idiot had managed to follow them. Alessia had sold out the family. She would regret that decision.
“Get a team together and make the group a powerful one. I am going as well. I want to see that traitor’s face when we burn her new boyfriend’s place to the ground with him in it. Go!”
“I’ve already decided exactly who to choose, Boss.
I’ll need a few days to get them here, but I don’t think she’ll flee.
If I’m right, she lives there with him.” Frankie thrust his hand through his hair and met Enzo’s gaze directly.
“I’ll enjoy dragging her here and teaching her a lesson.
Alessia doesn’t deserve the polite treatment I’ve given her in respect of her Costa lineage. ”
After nodding his agreement and dismissing Frankie, Enzo stared daggers at the large man’s back as henchman headed out the door.
The hothead would take care of his sister for him.
Enzo could have saved the bonus, but he’d let Frankie use it to pay the priest for the marriage fees.
Frankie would retaliate for his sister’s defiance and affiliation with the enemy.
Enzo lifted his glass and took another slow sip, relishing the burn as the bourbon worked its way down his throat. Nobody left the family.
Titus eased the sleek Mercedes 550 SL convertible down the winding path that led to his home.
Well, his and Alessia’s house now. He reveled in the thought as he glanced toward her.
Titus focused his attention back to the road and the group of men gathered to greet him as he pulled into the driveway.
Alessia sat a little straighter in her seat as the car came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs that led to the front door of her new home. “Were you expecting company this late?”
Titus smiled as he recognized the men. He patted her thigh to reassure her.
“No, Little mate, these are friends I’ve invited to stay with us for a while to help keep our place safe from your brother.
I don’t want anything to happen to you, and it’s best to add a bit more protection until things settle down. ”
After stepping out of the vehicle, Titus made his way around the car to open Alessia’s door and offer her his hand. “Come, let’s greet our new guests.”
Alessia’s teeth clicked together, and he suspected she struggled to prevent her jaw from dropping as they approached a gigantic man with a flowing mane of black hair with one gray streak dramatically parting the center of his tresses and a salt-and-pepper beard.
The leader of the group, he was dressed in an extremely expensive dark gray suit with an open-collar black linen shirt.
Titus had never seen Conri and Marcus together but suspected Conri was as big as Marcus, maybe bigger.
The man smiled broadly at both Titus and Alessia as he moved toward them, extending his hand to Titus. “Titus, my friend, so glad to see you again!” His voice boomed through the night air with a strong British accent.
Titus grasped the man’s hand in a firm shake in return. Both men had broad, playful grins on their faces as each tried to outdo the other with crushing grips. With a growl, they released their hands and gathered each other into a hug, slapping backs in greeting.
Breaking the embrace, Titus retreated a step to scan his friend from head to toe.
“Conri, you dog! You didn’t have to rush over here from across the Pond.
When I spoke to you last, you sounded like you were settling into the pub.
I said you had a few days, but I appreciate seeing you, my friend. Welcome to my humble abode.”
Conri’s eyes twinkled, “And why would we spend our money when we can come here and drink your whiskey?”
Laughing, Conri stepped back with a flourish and waved his hand as an introduction to the rest of the men standing behind him.
“Besides, the boys and I love a nice hunt.” Conri turned his head to glance at the house.
“Marvelous place you have here, Titus! I particularly love the Roman centurion spearmen statues you have by the stairs. The formality of the art makes for an impressive entrance.”
Titus grinned at the compliment. “Thank you. You know me, I always enjoy collecting art pieces.”
Turning his attention to Alessia, Conri gave a slight bow and extended his hand once more. “And who is this lovely lady?”
Titus chuckled. “Mine, Conri. Allow me the pleasure of introducing you to Alessia, my mate. Alessia, this is Conri. He and his friends are from Europe and are in town to add a bit more security to the grounds until we can settle things with your brother. They’ll be staying in the guesthouse while they’re here. ”
Alessia gingerly took the monstrous hand Conri offered. Titus approved of the large man’s gentler touch with his mate. Conri gripped her fingers as if he were holding a delicate, porcelain teacup. “Pleased to meet you, Conri. Thank you for your help. My brother and I aren’t on the best of terms.”
Conri bowed his head slightly and raised her hand as if to kiss her skin.
A low, warning growl came from deep in Titus’s chest. Conri didn’t release her immediately.
Instead, he inhaled deeply before smiling.
“Then the loss is his, Alessia. The boys and I are always glad to assist Titus and the Clan whenever we can. That’s what friends are for. ”
Alessia perked up at that comment. “Oh, are you part of his clan as well?”
Titus chuckled and she looked at him, trying to figure out what had amused her Daddy.
Conri gave a roaring laugh, “No, Lass! I run with a different pack. We’re just friends with a long-standing agreement.
” Smiling, he glanced back to Titus. “Ah, but she’s a lovely one, Titus.
Congratulations, my friend! You certainly deserve to find your mate after all these years.
Have no fear. We’ll take care of the grounds.
Gio already has us set up in the guesthouse.
You enjoy the rest of your evening while we familiarize ourselves with the area. ”
Alessia started at this statement. “Surely you can wait until morning. It’s late, and you’ve had a long trip.”
Conri winked at Titus as he turned to Alessia once again. “Not to worry! We do our best work at night. We’ll see you in the morning.” With that, he turned to the rest of his men, and they left.
She kept her gaze on them as the group walked toward the guesthouse. When they turned the corner, disappearing from view, Alessia gave Titus an appraising gaze. “You have interesting friends. I’d love to find out how you all met. That must be an interesting story.”
Titus chuckled as he considered how much he really needed to say.
“One of my many chance encounters that turned into a friendship, Little mate, but we have plenty of time for you to learn everything about my allies. For now, let’s go to our room, Alessia.
Today has been long, and it is way past your bedtime. ”