Vinnie swore. “No, man, don’t do it, you’re not gay.”
Brando grimaced. “I don’t have any intention of letting that freak fuck me. And I feel rather insulted you think I would.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
“He wants to watch me fucking his slaves. He even asked if we could double-team a female. I’ll take him up on his offer, source his house out, lay the bombs, cause chaos, then take him out with the tranquilizer.”
“I know you’re good, but come on ... even that’s a big ask. His place is a fortress, not to mention his security will be doubled after the Vipers’ escape.”
“I sprung Leonardo Orsini out of that high security prison, so this will be a walk in the park.”
“Capo Orsini wanted to leave with you, the Black Russian won’t.”
“Which is why I need the tranquilizer.”
“He’s almost seven foot, bro. There’s no way you could carry him out.”
“I’ll help,” a voice said behind him.
Brando spun around, finding Jagger standing in the doorway, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. “Why would you help me?”
Jagger frowned. “I won’t be doing it for you. A short while ago, the Black Russian captured me along with some others, Camila included. I had to take part in an orgy to free us. I also had to promise I’d return at least four times a year. If I don’t, he’ll order hits on the others. So, let me go with you, I have nothing to lose.”
“Your life.”
“It isn’t of importance to me.”
“It is for your partner and our mother,” Brando said, ignoring Vinnie’s confused “What?!” behind him, no doubt over the ‘our mother’ comment.
“Camila is better off without me, while I owe your mother nothing.”
“I disagree, plus you’re not exactly the type of person I would take on a mission.”
“I’m not a pussy, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’ve killed before. I took out a Donatelli guard and two Landi soldiers. I broke the first one’s neck and shot the others, so don’t underestimate me.”
Brando’s eyebrows shot up. “You killed two Landi soldiers?”
Jagger nodded.
“Looks like I owe you an apology, then,” Brando said, impressed with his baby brother. The Landi were highly-trained combat soldiers, not easy people to kill.
“So, can I come?” Jagger asked.
“Yeah, I could do with another pair of hands.”
“No, Brando,” Vinnie snapped. “This isn’t like the Landi compound. The Black Russian’s place is a fortress.”
Brando turned to him. “You’re becoming repetitive, Vinnie.”
“Because you won’t listen to me!”
“Okay, tell me one more time the Black Russian’s palace is a fortress.”
“Don’t patronize me.”
“I’m waiting.”
“You’re a rude stronzo.”
“Still waiting.”
“It’s a fortress, are you happy now?”
“Very, now fuck off.”
“This is my studio!”
“Does it look like I care?”
“I care! And this is the Vipers’ fight, not yours.”
“It became mine when that bastardo ordered a hit on Ivy’s sister, plus he has no right to force Jagger to take part in his sick fantasies.” Brando focused on Jagger. “We need to start working out a game plan. I’ll find a layout of his palace so we can map out some escape routes. We’ll also get one of the Vipers’ advice, but not Ivy’s. I don’t want her knowing what we’re doing.”
“But what about the soldiers that Ricardo’s sending?” Vinnie cut in.
Brando turned to him. “Has he placed a special order for weapons?”
“Sì, it’ll be coming in a few weeks.”
“Give me the exact date.”
“Three weeks from tomorrow.”
“Tell him there’s been a two-week delay. That’ll give me enough time to get the Black Russian back here. I’ll also write you a list of supplies I need. Can you still get the same supply of cyanide pills?”
Vinnie nodded.
“Good.”
“Why do you need cyanide pills?” Jagger asked.
“They’re an easy way to take people out if you don’t have access to a gun. I either put them in food or fool people into thinking it’s a pleasure drug. Plus, if we get caught, it’ll be the most humane way to go out. If you can’t bite down on one of those, don’t come with me.”
“I can.”
“You really don’t value your life.”
“I already said that.”
Brando breathed out. “Maybe your girlfriend is right: you should see a psychiatrist.”
Jagger scowled at him. “I don’t need you getting on my case too.”
“Okay, I’ll butt out of your business. Now ... back to mine. Every night at eight, come to my room.”
“What do I tell Camila?”
“That we’re getting to know each other, brotherly bonding.”
Jagger nodded.
Brando continued, “We will work on the strategy during that time, setting things up so you know exactly what to do when we get to the Black Russian’s palace.” He pulled Cyn’s phone from his pocket. “I’ll ring him now. All you have to do is say hello and tell him you’re looking forward to the visit. I’ll do the rest of the talking.”
Jagger nodded again.
Brando walked over and sat down on the couch, flicking his hand for Vinnie to leave.
“It’s my studio,” Vinnie snapped.
“And you have a gig to get ready for, so go.”
Vinnie grumbled and disappeared into his room. Brando scrolled through Cyn’s contact list, looking for the Black Russian’s number. He stopped on BR, assuming that must be it. Jagger sat down next to him. Brando pressed the number, waiting for the call to go through. After several rings, the Black Russian answered, “Cyn?”
Brando moved the phone away from his ear and looked down at the screen, seeing the Black Russian’s tattooed face staring back at him. The man’s frown turned into a smile at the sight of Brando.
“Hello, Brando, it’s always a pleasure seeing you,” the Black Russian said, his accent strong.
“And you too.”
The Black Russian flashed his teeth, which looked bright against his tattooed face. “A lovely lie I very much wanted to hear. So, are you calling me in regards to Cyn? I told her not to harm your family, only the intended target.”
“It’s got nothing to do with her. My brother mentioned you invited him to visit you, as you did me.”
The Black Russian frowned. “I haven’t invited any of your brothers.”
Brando moved the phone in front of Jagger’s face, then back to his. “Jagger is my full brother, while the others only share the same mother.”
The Black Russian’s eyes widened. “I always thought you two looked too much alike. But, why did Jagger tell me you were cousins?”
“Because I was lied to,” Jagger answered.
“What did he say?” the Black Russian asked.
“He said he was lied to,” Brando replied. “Our mother came clean today. Anyway, enough talk about my famiglia. I want to know if Jagger and I can visit you? I would like to negotiate how to make things right between you and the Vipers.”
“Why’s that?”
“I’m interested in one of them.”
“Which one?”
“Ivy.”
The Black Russian started laughing. When he finally stopped, his words were filled with amusement. “She is the worst to choose. She will cut your throat in your sleep and drink you dry.”
“She’s had plenty of opportunities to kill me and hasn’t done so yet.”
“My dear boy, that’s because you’re too beautiful to kill, and I was just speaking metaphorically about her personality. She’s not someone you should want to keep. Bed her, then be done with her. She’s too vicious and has even less morals than me.”
“I’m not sure that’s possible.”
The Black Russian laughed again. “Only someone with your face can get away with saying that—once. Now, when do you wish to visit?”
“Four weeks to the day.”
“Excellent, I will send you a plane. Now, put Jagger on, I want to say hello to him.”
Brando passed the phone over, Jagger saying hello to the Black Russian.
“I can’t stop thinking about that night we shared,” the Black Russian said. “I want another one just like it.” The man’s voice lowered, his tone now menacing. “Remember our deal?”
“I do and I’m willing,” Jagger replied.
“I look forward to next month, then, and tell Brando I want him to perform too.”
“I can hear you perfectly fine, you’re on speaker phone,” Brando cut in. “And I’m willing too, just as long as you don’t touch me.”
“Of course, I like my fingers unbroken. Now, close your ears, Brando, what I’m about to say is only for Jagger.”
“Okay,” Brando said, loosely covering them so he could still hear.
The Black Russian resumed talking to Jagger, “I would like you to stay in my bedroom this time.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
“I won’t hurt you.”
“I’m sorry, I just can’t. I told you what was done to me. Please, just reserve a guestroom for me.”
“I’ll supply you with the same drugs to help you. They worked very well the last time. You kept moaning your girlfriend’s name. Did you see her while fucking that blonde with me?”
Jagger frowned. “Sì.”
“You also called me Camila when I kissed you. I should’ve taken offense, but you turned me on too much to stop, plus you allowed me to do things I didn’t expect.”
“I didn’t realize it was you! Those drugs fucked with my head.”
“Which is why I gave them to you.”
“You lied about what they would do to me.”
The Black Russian laughed. “Because I wanted to fuck you.”
“But, you didn’t.”
“You know I did, and I’m going to do it again, and if you don’t relent, your girlfriend will end up the same way as Menna.”
Brando lowered his hands, upset over what he was hearing.
Jagger’s worried gaze flicked to Brando.
The Black Russian continued, “So, are you going to relent?”
Jagger turned away from Brando. “I can’t discuss this with my brother in the room.”
“I told him to close his ears.”
“Regardless, he’s listening in.”
“Brando!” the Black Russian said loudly. “I don’t appreciate you lying to me.”
Brando snatched the phone out of Jagger’s hand. “And I don’t appreciate you blackmailing my brother for your sick perversions,” he said, glaring down at the screen.
The Black Russian sneered at him. “I can do a lot worse to you if you dare challenge me.”
Brando willed himself not to answer back, because he still needed to get within striking distance of the bastard—so he could kill him for Jagger—his plans now changed.
The Black Russian continued, “Which means you won’t interfere, will you?”
“Of course not,” Brando lied.
“Good. I will email you the flight details, and one more thing, beautiful.” The Black Russian smiled, his cold blue eyes sparkling. “I want to have a threesome with you and your brother. We can double-team him.”
“That’s not happening and you know it!”
“We’ll see.” The Black Russian hung up before Brando could say another word.
Shuddering with revulsion, Brando stuffed the phone into his pocket, wanting to torture the bastard before he killed him. His gaze moved to Jagger, who was still facing away from him. “Don’t feel ashamed for what you did with that sick freak, you were protecting your woman. I had to do something similar to protect our mother.”
Jagger turned to face him. “What?”
“Things I’d much rather not discuss.”
“Was it with the Padre?”
Brando nodded, not wanting to confirm it, but for the first time feeling like he should, Jagger’s golden eyes almost pleading.
“He did the same to me,” Jagger said. “He threatened to kill my cousins and uncle if I told anyone what he was doing. How long did he abuse you for?”
“A month.”
Jagger’s mouth formed into an O-shape.
Brando frowned. “I know I shouldn’t have let it go on for that long—”
Jagger shook his head. “No, you got me wrong; I assumed he abused you for years.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s what he did to me.”
“How long?” Brando croaked out, both wanting and not wanting to know.
“Six years. It started when I was eleven—”
Brando shot up off the couch. “Eleven!”
Jagger started fidgeting with his hands, looking deeply upset. “You don’t have to shout, I’m not lying.”
Brando quickly sat back down and placed a hand on Jagger’s, stopping him from fidgeting. “I didn’t say you were; you just took me by surprise. Dio, it’s just ... incomprehensible that you had to endure that for so long and from such a young age.”
Jagger dropped his gaze.
Brando continued, “Please look at me; you have nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I can’t help it.”
“I understand, I feel shame too, but we shouldn’t. The shame should be placed on Padre Michael’s shoulders, not ours.”
Jagger looked back up, fire now in his eyes. “I hate him so much! I wish every day I’d killed him when I had the opportunity. If I had, I could’ve stopped him from bringing my house down and—”
“Was he responsible for what happened a couple months back?”
Jagger nodded. “Him and one of my cousins arranged the attack so they could get at me. They took me to the House of Whores and used me against my will.”
“Which cousin?”
“Alberto D’Angelo.”
Brando grimaced. “I knew there was something wrong with that ugly stronzo. He always stared at me. Once when your famiglia visited, I caught him going through my underwear drawers. I beat the merda out of him for it, got into a shitload of trouble because of that pervert.”
“I remember that, I think I was fourteen at the time, and he probably stared at you because you look like me. I had no idea he wanted me. I assumed he hated me since he was always cruel, constantly bullying me. He fooled everyone, even his own brother. I’m happy he’s dead. I just feel bad his brother had to kill him. It should’ve been me holding that knife, not Frano.”
Brando’s eyes widened. “Frano killed his own brother?”
Jagger nodded. “He did it after Alberto brutally raped me.”
Brando ran a hand down his face, feeling sick to his stomach. He couldn’t even imagine surviving what Jagger had gone through, the month he’d suffered more than he could handle.
“I had no idea,” he finally said. “My famiglia were told a Landi soldier killed Alberto.”
“A lie to protect Frano.”
“I still can’t believe he killed his own brother.”
“Not many people believe me.”
Brando shook his head. “No, I didn’t mean it literally, I believe everything you said. Again, don’t ever think I wouldn’t. Dio, I’m so sorry.”
Jagger frowned. “I never understand why people say they’re sorry when they haven’t done anything wrong. It really is a strange thing to do.”
“No, I should be apologizing. If I had spoken out about Padre Michael I could’ve saved you from all the pain he put you through.”
“I didn’t say anything too, fear and shame stopping me. I assume it was the same for you.”
Brando nodded.
Jagger continued, “I just don’t understand why the Padre stopped abusing you and not me.”
>
“Because I made myself unattractive.”
“But, there’s nothing wrong with your face.”
“I scarred my back to repulse him.”
Jagger’s mouth formed another O-shape. “So, that’s why you have those scars. But, why do you continue getting whipped? Your back was bleeding badly through your bandages.”
“Because I grew to crave the feeling.”
“How can you crave being whipped? It’s painful.”
“Mental pain is worse.”
Jagger nodded, looking like he understood him fully.
Brando frowned, ashamed he’d misread Jagger for so long. He’d thought the man was a shark who lured women in, much like himself. Instead, his brother was the opposite, everyone feeding off him.
“I don’t want you seeing the Black Russian now,” Brando said.
Jagger’s back straightened. “You heard what he said he’d do to Camila.”
“My famiglia will protect her.”
“They won’t succeed. He’ll still get to her like he did with Menna.”
“You don’t have to keep sacrificing yourself for everyone.”
“I don’t have a choice. Once a promise is made to the Black Russian it can only be broken by death.”
“But, he will—”
“Do as he pleases and I will smile and pretend afterwards as though I liked it or suffer the consequences. At least with him, he fills me with drugs so I don’t remember most of it.”
“That’s not a good thing!”
“After what the Padre and Alberto did to me, it’s a kindness.”
“No, it’s rape.”
“It isn’t if I give him permission.”
“Due to blackmail.”
“Regardless, you can’t stop me from going.”
“Then, I’ll take him down fast so he doesn’t touch you.”
“Grazie.”
“No need to thank me.” Brando’s eyes shot to Vinnie’s bedroom as noise came from behind the door. “Just don’t tell anyone about what we discussed.” He pocketed Cyn’s phone and rose to his feet, wanting to get some fresh air, what he’d been told making his head reel. “I have to go now; I’ve got things to do. You should hang out with the twins, go see their show tonight. They’re really good singers.”
“I can’t.” Jagger’s eyes went to the door as Mira ran past. “I have something else planned.”
“Don’t go near that girl,” Brando warned. “She may look like a woman, but she’s a little fool who knows nothing about men, regardless of what she thinks.”
Brando Page 18
