CHAPTER 44
NOW
NICKY
My body feels immensely heavy as I drag my exhausted ass down the stairs into the basement of our Killington property. If we survive this shit, I’m going to go home and fuck my wife… then sleep for a week.
The wedding—while an absolute shit show—was deemed a success. Kellerman got the intel he needed to take down Yuri. They have him on tape personally detailing the specifics of his trafficking operation to Elliot Devoreaux who, in turn, was set to take over the money laundering portion of the business. Yuri’s already in custody while the Feds work to dismantle the rest of his organization as we speak, largely in part due to the extensive evidence Mav and I have collected on his entire outfit over the years.
Elliot, however unbeknownst to me, was approached by Kellerman’s unit prior to the meet and offered full immunity in exchange for scripting the conversation in such a way that would secure an ironclad confession from Yuri, one sure to put him away for life.
The old man all but jumped at the chance to escape prosecution, then opted for WITSEC when it was over.
Yup.
Elliot, his wife, and all three of his children assumed new identities as of midnight tonight. Which means that Lucian is so far out of my reach by now, he’ll never face judgment for his sins. The little shit even tried to get Kellerman to create a new identity so he could take Daphne with him.
I don’t think so, motherfucker. That’s my wife. And I was incredibly vocal in voicing just how big a load of bullshit it was that he gets to walk after all he’s done.
Kellerman was less than thrilled to learn I’d gone behind his back and married Daphne. In all fairness, had that shit leaked, we all would have been royally fucked. But it all worked out in the end, which is why I cannot, for the life of me, understand why Kellerman is forcing me and Mav down into our own basement right now when I should be home snuggled up next to my woman in bed.
We met the terms of our deal. We’re supposed to be out. Yet, here we are, possibly being led to our deaths in our own torture rooms. I’m suddenly pissed we installed drains in the basement during the build. If this motherfucker’s really about to off us, I would’ve preferred he at least have a hard time cleaning it up.
I reach the bottom of the staircase, almost slamming into Mav’s back when he suddenly stops short.
“Mav, move out of the—” My words trail off as I take in the sight before me. Kellerman enters behind us, stepping around both me and Mav and crossing the room before coming to stand beside Enzo fucking Stingone. Don of the Sicilian Mafia, and quite possibly, the most powerful man on the planet.
And if the revelation that Alec Kellerman is on Enzo Stingone’s payroll wasn’t a big enough mindfuck, then the sight of Lucian gagged and bound to a chair beside them certainly does the trick.
I quickly scan my brain for reasons Enzo may want me dead. It can’t have anything to do with the deal we recently struck. Did Kellerman tell him I was dipping out of the game? Maybe he thought that meant I was gonna screw him on his profits. The money he stood to make on our transaction is nothing compared to what he’s gonna pull in when I planned to offer him my entire business once I retired. I’m just about to open my mouth and explain as such when he speaks first.
“Gentlemen,” he greets us, his face bearing hints of amusement. “I’m sure you have questions.”
“So, you’re dirty.” I look to Kellerman, thoroughly annoyed by the faux boy scout persona he’s been pedaling all these years.
“If by dirty, you mean I work for Enzo? Yes,” he responds. “But I think you both know I’m not a bad man, nor a bad cop.”
“I don’t know what to think right now.” Mav shakes his head, clearly just as frustrated as me. “Somebody needs to tell me what the fuck is happening. What is Luc doing here?”
“Parting gift,” Enzo states, turning to me. “You’re right, Nick. He shouldn’t get to walk. Consider this my thank you to both of you.”
“Thank you for what?”
Enzo begins to explain the nature of his partnership with Alec. How they’ve apparently worked together for years on opposite sides of the fence in eradicating the world of evil that has no place in it. Yuri’s status as a trafficker, someone who hurt women and children, earned him a top spot on both of their shit lists.
“I’ve been around for a long time, boys,” he continues. “Honor was once a staple among bosses but has since become a rare quality. You two, while young, have always operated within the confines of respect. You maintain order, you care for your own, you show strength in knowing when to strike and when to grant mercy. You love your women and recognize they should be cherished. Your men respect you. I’m almost sad to see you bow out of the game. You two brought a great deal of promise to the future generation.”
“So, it’s still true?” My attention snaps to Alec as Mav asks the question. “We’re free and clear?”
“One hundred percent. Once you walk out of this building, as long as you uphold our terms, you’ve got a clean slate.”
A wave of relief washes over me at his confirmation.
“And him?” Mav gestures to the chair where Lucian’s whimpering behind his gag.
“I told you, as of midnight, the Devoreauxs ceased to exist. Elliot, his wife, and Luc’s siblings have already been gifted their new identities and are on their way to their new lives. His parents were informed their children’s placements would be different from theirs. It was also explained that to protect them as they transition into WITSEC, there would be no contact permitted within the first year. You do your due diligence in disposing of the body, this will never blow back on you.”
Lucian’s whimpers escalate into full blown sobs as he begins thrashing about, refusing to quiet until Kellerman approaches him, striking him square in his jaw.
“So,” Enzo interjects, “if you have no further questions, I will bid you farewell.”
“Wait!” Mav calls out. “Years ago, when Yuri was hell-bent on coming for me, why’d you stop it? Why’d you protect me?”
Shit. Here we go.
“Initially?” Enzo asks, his eyes shifting between us. “Nick paid me.”
Shoving my hands in my pockets, I stare off to the opposite side of the room in an effort to avoid his gaze.
“Fifteen percent of his entire operation to issue the protection order.”
I can feel the heat of Mav’s stare burning into the side of my face, though I refuse to look at him. I’m not trying to have this conversation with an audience.
“I’ve enjoyed watching you both grow.” Enzo approaches Mav, clapping him on the shoulder. “As much as I’m going to miss you, I’m happy you both are out. The potential you two possess is too great to be wasted in this life. Also, you never gave me up. On top of everything else, you’re both loyal to the end.”
I breathe a silent sigh of overwhelming relief that he is supportive of our retirement. It will make the transition that much smoother.
“You ever need anything, you say the word.” And on that note, Enzo exits the basement.
The silence stretches on in his absence as the intensity of Mav’s gaze finds me once more. It’s unnerving, the awkward sensation invoking an extreme sense of discomfort under the weight of his attention.
“What?” I snap, shuffling my feet.
“You paid to protect me. After everything that went down. Why would you do that?”
“You did it for me.” I shrug.
“I picked up a contract. You handed over a portion of your business. It’s not the same. Why, Nick?”
I briefly consider lying, brushing off the whole thing and saying I did it for J. However, I’m currently dealing with a wife who’s questioning the extent of my love for her because I’ve spent years downplaying the truth. So, in the spirit of being forthcoming moving forward, I decide to just put it out there.
Well, damn. I guess we’re doing this right now, then.
“Because this is us, Mav. It’s what we do. We scream, we fight, we occasionally shoot each other… but we’re brothers. We can pull this ‘I hate you’ shit all we want, we can pretend any truce is all because of J… but whenever we needed it, whenever it’s counted, we’ve been there for each other. That means something to me.”
The asshole’s pulling me in for a hug before I’m able to register his intentions, though I surprise myself even more when I realize I’m hugging him back with considerable force. It’s surprisingly… comforting.
Kellerman interrupts the moment with a clearing of his throat, reminding us of his presence and causing us to break apart. “All right boys, before you start braiding one another’s hair, I just want to make sure we understand one another. He can never be found.” He points to Lucian, who’s practically pissing himself. “I can’t protect you if he is.”
Crossing my arms overtop my chest, I stare down at him with a sense of smug satisfaction. I would love nothing more than to crack open this fucker’s skull. Though, while my desire for blood lust is great, my love for Daphne is more. As I stand, I’m free and clear. Kellerman was already here when we arrived. I can’t trust he didn’t plant some kind of a camera down here looking to gain leverage to use at a later time. It just isn’t worth the risk.
“Honestly, Alec, while I appreciate the gesture, offing that piece of shit in the presence of a federal agent is a little brazen, even for me. No offense.”
Kellerman then offers the honors to Mav, who also politely refuses. I’m forced to watch as Lucian visibly relaxes at the realization he’s going to get to walk after all. Prick.
“I’m actually going to miss you guys, if you can believe that.” Alec smiles as he offers the sentiment.
I wish I could say the same. While he ended up being an all right guy, I’m looking forward to never seeing his face, or the face of any other federal agent, ever again. Instead, I just smile and nod.
I’m just about to excuse myself when Alec draws his gun, my body tensing as I watch him fire a single shot into Lucian’s skull. His head flies back from the force, his brains painting the wall behind him like a fucking canvas.
Mav and I each shout some form of expletives, the unexpected nature of Kellerman’s actions catching us completely off guard. He holsters his weapon, smiling as he comes to pass me with a clap to my shoulder.
“Consider it a wedding present. Stay out of trouble, boys.”
“Easier said than done when you’re leaving a body for us to deal with!” I shout up after him as he ascends the stairs.
“I have full faith you’ll figure it out!”
Mav and I remain alone to sort out the mess left behind. I stare at the lifeless body of the man I’d wished dead more times than I could possibly count, remembering back to when I’d think I’d be so much happier if he was wiped from the face of the earth. Now that it’s happened, I must admit… I was fucking right.
With a heavy sigh, Mav reaches into his pocket to retrieve his cell. “I’m calling T. Let’s get this shit over with. I just want to get home to your sister.”
Pulling my own phone from my pocket, I flip into my contacts to call JP when I notice a text notification at the top of the screen. I swipe down to find a message from an unknown number.
UNKNOWN: FYI H.V. SPOTTED IN NYC. STAY SHARP. -E.S.
I stare at the message in which Enzo warns me Valdez is back in country. Second time in two months. This may be something I need to worry about.
“Yo,” Mav pulls my attention to him. “You good?”
“Yeah.” I click out of the thread, switching over to the one I share with JP. “Yeah, I’m just texting JP.”
It’s been a long day. No sense in sparking alarm when I don’t even know what I’m dealing with yet. I fire off the text to JP with the location and instructions to come now, before returning the phone to my pocket. Slipping free of my tuxedo jacket, I toss it aside before rolling up the sleeves of my dress shirt.
“Let’s get started so we can get out of here. I’m done keeping my wife waiting.”
THE END