Chapter 15—Tommy #2
He gives me a dull stare that speaks volumes on how he thinks it’s the same thing as what he said.
But it isn’t true since Payton keeps her clothes on.
Which is the big difference. And something I’m appreciating since I’m finding her more and more…
enchanting as the time goes by and I get to know her a bit better.
I would hate to have to kill anyone who saw her naked if this continues between us.
Whatever this is. But it’s more than a transaction deal; that much I know.
Not that I’ll admit that or ever say anything to my brother about it. Any of them.
“Sorry. This performer who works for you had a transaction with the Kings, and you thought it was a good idea to just buy out the debt without talking to me about it first?”
“Vinny wants me to be the face of the company,” I say with a shrug.
“The face. Not the decision-maker. You are to get details and bring them to the table, not just make us bankrupt.”
I roll my eyes. “Bankrupt? Dramatic much?”
He glares, and with the huff he gives, I get an idea of his past self. The term dragon would fit him to a T. Hoarding his gold, going crazy over one cent missing, and shooting fire out of his mouth. Completely dramatic and over the top, just like Bobby.
“You at least had Danny look into this performer?”
“Give me some credit. I had Dante run her through our system.”
He snorts at that.
“You don’t trust Dante?” I ask with an easy smile.
“It’s not about trust but being thorough in the work. Even you can admit Dante’s let things slip before because he didn’t want to do all of that, what did he call it… legwork?”
“It was a three-hour round-trip drive for him that time. Even you wouldn’t have been too happy about doing it just to double-check on somebody’s meal.”
“Ah, but it wasn’t just anybody’s meal, was it? It was Ma’s. And she really wanted to make sure she had the correct tomatoes. And did she? No, thank you very much. That’s the extent of my trust in Dante. I’ll be bringing in Danny to do a complete job on the matter.”
I sigh heavily. “Fine.” Really, it’s probably for the best, but I keep that to myself.
“How is this debt getting paid? You have a thought on that?”
“Adjusting how she earns.”
He nods in agreement, then shakes his head as he looks back at the file Marco, his second, sent him. Probably something to do with his legit side of the business, Leone Holdings. Bobby is always working on something when it comes to it. “It won’t be enough, even if she works for you for years.”
I shrug. “So I’ll have her do other jobs that usually cost.”
He looks up with his eyes only, head still bent over his desk. “You planning to have her do some wet work?”
“God, no.” I grimace, reacting as if he just asked me to show him my dick. Not something you whip out in a moment like this. “She got attacked two nights ago, and her lack of fighting skills is obvious. Having her take out someone would be a liability for everyone.”
“Attacked?” His eyes narrow at the idea. Especially with my colorful way of saying she didn’t win it. “Where?”
“Her place. Apparently two guys from the building came in and knocked her around a bit. They took off with the cash she had set aside to give to the Kings.”
“You take care of it yet?”
“They’re on vacation according to my team.”
Bobby huffs and sits back in his chair. “I bet. Paid vacation, too, from the sounds of it.”
I nod. I’ll track them down. Always do. Either me personally or someone who works for me.
We each have our own set of boys, but we all have the same value point—being on top and staying there.
The guys who robbed Payton have now robbed me.
Sure, if it weren’t for the mugging, I might not have paid more attention to her.
I was always watching, of course, but her in my clothes and in my space might not live in my head on a constant loop.
Mama always said that it takes a special person to turn a Leone’s head.
Might not always be for a good reason, but there is one.
And till we know what that reason is, it’s best to hold tight while we can.
That’s worked for the family with our enemies for years.
We get an itch, feel like something’s off about someone or they just stand out compared to the others, we pay attention and deal with the issue before it becomes more.
I’m sure Mama was thinking more along the lines of us finding our other half like she did with Pops, but so far she’s been disappointed.
Well, not till Milly came back into our lives.
Now Ma’s got a grandkid and a wedding to plan.
She’s over the moon. Too bad for her, I’m pretty sure Milly’s just going to do the justice of the peace thing and move on.
She spent too many years running in her life; now she just wants to live it with her man and kid and not deal with waiting for things to happen anymore.
“I’ve got a position here. She any good with numbers?”
I shrug. “Never asked. But if she’s going to be working nights at my place, I’m not sure a nine-to-five is the option. One or both of us will just get pissed at her for falling asleep on the job.”
His eyes narrow at my words, head tilting as he looks at me. “Riiight. Wouldn’t want that.”
“If you say so.” I throw my hands up and adjust in my seat.
He shakes his head, a slow grin pulling across his face. “You’re full of shit. Fine, whatever. You keep the girl all to yourself. No hair off my ass. Just get me the money. We aren’t running a charity.”
“I know a guy who can wax that for you. Might even get you laid if that’s what’s sending the girls running for the door.”
“Har har, very funny. Now, let’s talk about your other issue.”
Moving closer to his desk, he pulls out another file, this one thicker than the last, and puts it on top of the first.