An icy chill runs up my spine. I jump to my feet, spinning around, unsure of where to go or what to do. I think of hiding in the closet, holding a gun out in front of me. If I saw any movement, any movement at all, I’d shoot.
But with my luck, I’d end up shooting the maintenance crew.
I was already emotionally drained, and now I’m half crazed with fear. Something at the front window catches my eye. It’s swift movement, so fast I’m not sure if I really saw anything. I tiptoe to the window and look out on the fire escape. I don’t see anything, or anyone, but there are plenty of shadows to hide in.
I can’t stay here, I think.
It’s early in the evening, and there are plenty of people out on the street. The Salvatores might not want to snatch me in public.
I look out of the peephole on the front door, scanning the hallway. It looks empty, but I still can’t be sure that someone isn’t hiding out there, waiting for me. I watch for a long time. I don’t see anyone, or even hear a cough. Then I hear voices, several of them, coming from the end of the hall. It’s a group of guys, maybe five or so. I know this is my chance.
I wait until they pass right in front of my apartment. When they do, I open the door as little as possible and slip out, inserting myself into the crowd. In my haste, I close the door behind me a little too hard, making a noise.
“Hey, neighbor, how’s it going?” one of the guy’s says.
Panic takes over my senses. I imagine the hallway is crawling with unseen foes. I glare at the guy, then break into a run. I fly down the stairs, my feet barely touching the ground, and burst out onto the street. There are plenty of people out, most on their way to get dinner. I slip into the crowd and hurry down the block. The dark figure darting out from the fire escape under my building doesn't escape my notice.
There’s fire under my skin as I barrel down the street. I’m too scared to even look over my shoulder. I can feel them gaining on me, their eyes boring holes into my back. My chest constricts, and all I can take is shallow breaths. They’re close. They’re going to take me. I’ve never been so scared in all my life.
I slam in to the back of large man, stopping me in my tracks. He turns around, obviously yelling, but I can’t hear what he’s saying over the blood rushing in my ears. I try to dart past him, but he stands in my way.
“Whoa, where you going?” he says. “Aren’t you going to apologize for nearly running me over?”
Suddenly, I feel two pairs of hands clamp down on both of my arms, and the presence of two very large, very strong men at my side.
“Excuse our sister, sir. She’s a little clumsy.”
“Isn’t that right, sis? Tell the man you’re sorry.”
I look to my right, and my eyes land on Vince. To the left, I see Leo. They look so much like Mateo, that for a split second, my heart flutters hopefully.
“Go on,” Leo says, squeezing my arm harder. “Apologize.”
The man stands in front of me, his arms crossed over his chest, waiting.
“I’m sorry for running into you,” I choke.
“You’ll have to excuse our rush,” Vince says. “We’re on our way to visit our mother in the hospital. My sister here is real worried.”
“Thank you,” the man says. “I just believe in a little civility is all.” He walks away, satisfied about his victory.
Leo and Vince both turn into me, wedging me between their bodies. This is it, I think. They’re going to get rid of the witness.
“You and Mateo haven’t had us over to the new apartment,” Leo says. “Come on. Give me the tour.”
————————
Vince sits in an armchair, leaning forward, studying me. Leo walks around the apartment, picking up things and looking them over. I don’t know whether I should be relieved to see them, or scared out of my wits. I sit on the couch, fiddling with a crocheted blanket. So many questions swirl through my head, but I’m waiting for them to talk.
Leo stops looking around, and comes to stand beside his brother. They both stare at me with those dark, intense Romano eyes. It’s terrifying, and makes me miss Mateo all the same.
“Where’s Mateo?” Vince says, finally.
I feel a brick drop in my stomach. My eyes dart between the both of them.
“I don’t- I thought you-“ I stutter. I can’t articulate any further, and simply shake my head.
Leo lays his hands on his head and looks up at the ceiling. “You’re telling me you don’t fucking know?”
“So what? He just disappeared?” Vince says. “Did he leave you something? A note?”
I gulp, nodding. I grab the note from the desk, and hand it to Vince. He reads it over, and gives me an arched look. Leo grabs the note from Vince’s hand, and reads it himself. Leo’s eyes goes dark.
“You know what this means,” Leo says to Vince. “He’s out there doing something reckless. We should be looking for him.” He waves his arm towards me. “Not watching her.”
“Watching me?” I say. “Is that why you’re here?”
“Mateo called us this morning from a burner phone,” Vince says. “He told us to come to the city and keep an eye on you. He wouldn’t tell us anything else.”
He didn’t leave me alone.
I narrow my eyes at Leo. “You said he’s doing something reckless. What do you mean?”
Leo gives me a look like the answer’s so stupidly obvious. “Going into the snake’s den, and all for you, princess. Because you’ve got him all twisted up. Again.”
“You mean-“ My voice is barely a whisper. “Is he turning himself in to the Salvatores?”
“Either that, or trying to fix things,” Vince says.
The weight on my chest lifts slightly. Mateo didn’t abandon me. He sent his brothers to watch me while he took care of the Salvatores. But Mateo can’t do it all alone. If things go wrong, the Salvatores will kill him. Or worse.
“I agree with Leo,” I say. Leo looks at me with shocked disdain. “You shouldn’t be watching me. You should be looking for him.” I stand from the couch, powered by new energy. “I’m going with you.”
“No way,” Leo protests. “You’ll just be dead weight.”
There it is again, that surge in my belly, the need to prove myself. I lift my shirt and show them the gun tucked into my waistband.
“I can take care of myself,” I say.
The two brothers stare at me silently. Vince slowly gets up and walks towards me. He always seemed like the calm, rational one, but the way he’s looking at me makes my blood run cold. He stands a few inches away, close enough to touch the handle of my gun.
“That’s a real nice piece you got there,” Vince says, his narrowed eyes twinkling. “Let me ask you something, have you ever killed someone? Have you ever felt that lump in your chest after someone’s lights go out, felt how heavy forever is? Could you do it, Lily, when the moment comes? Kill a human being? Put them in the ground forever?”
“I could,” I say, but my voice is barely audible.
Vince snorts. “We saw you today, in the parking deck. You thought that suit after you, that he could’ve been one of the Salvatores. I’m telling you, sweetheart, the Salvatores wouldn’t show you the mercy of killing you right away. No, they’d make you suffer. And you, being a woman, they’d rape you for sure.” He pauses to shake his head. “You thought he was one of them, but you still didn’t shoot.”
Vince’s eyes bore into me. My knees clatter, and I lock them to keep from falling over. I’m used to Mateo, but not to Vince. I’m reminded of how intense these guys really are, how grimy their work is. Vince nods at my silence.
“That’s what I thought,” he says, turning from me and towards his brother.
“Let’s go, Vince,” Leo says. “Let’s get Mateo.”
“We can’t just leave her here,” Vince says.
“This is why we have the witness policy,” Leo says. “I knew things would get fucked up.”
They start to bicker back an
d forth, ignoring that I’m in the room. I’m still considering Vince’s question. Could I do it, if it came down to it? Could I pull that trigger? Vince was right, I couldn’t shoot Dean Hathaway in the parking deck. I didn’t even think to. Maybe it was instinct, telling me he wasn’t really a threat. Maybe I really can trust myself.
I watch the two men argue over my fate. Could I kill someone? If it came down to my life or theirs, to Mateo’s life or theirs, I wouldn’t have a choice. I’d have to.
I’m tired of the doubt, of wondering if I’m capable. It’s time to decide that I am.
A ball of energy forms at the base of my spine. I turn off my mind, and give in to instinct, just like Mateo always told me to. Without thinking, I draw the gun, aim at the corner of the ceiling, and shoot, obliterating the crown molding. The shot is so loud, it muffles my hearing. Leo and Vince turn to me slowly, their expressions hard to read.
“Stop fucking fighting,” I say, ignoring the ringing in my ears. “I’m going with you.”
I grab my purse and start towards the door. People are starting to peek out of their doors, wondering where the shot had come from.
“We should go now,” I tell the brothers.
I rush out into the hallway, not waiting for their answer.
Mateo
————————
I grip the steering so hard my knuckles are ghost white. I’m hunched forward, every muscle tensed, doing eighty in sixty mile per hour zone.
“Think,” I yell at myself, smacking the dashboard.
I know the general direction I’m going in, but I still don’t have a plan. In my defense, it’s been a busy fucking morning. I couldn’t stick around Manhattan, waiting to see what the Salvatores did. I had to take care of things myself, protect Lily before it’s too late. On her way out to work, she pressed her whole body into mine, and gave me deep, hot kiss. Morbidly, I think, if that’s my last memory of her, it’s a damn good one.
The scanner on the dashboard picks up grainy voices, and I know cops are close. I slow down to the speed limit, which feels like I’m crawling along the highway. It had been hell convincing my brothers to watch Lily. They wanted to know what I was doing, to talk me out of it or back me up. But I couldn’t leave Lily alone. I was able to convince Vince, telling him he’s a Romano, and his duty is to protect. He’d promised me he’d look after her. Leo went along with it, probably because he thought Lily could tell him where I am.
I start seeing signs for my exit. I can’t just waltz into the Salvatore headquarters. Like Leo would say, I have to be smarter than that. I have to play by the rules of their brutal game. And that meant taking something, or someone, that meant something to them. I have to get leverage if I’m going to get what I want.
That means taking one of theirs. I’m not enough of a villain to go after family, wives or children, even though that’s more effective. At the end of the day, this is business. Even though my emotions have gotten tangled up, I need to keep it that way.
Leo was right. If I want to protect her, I can’t let Lily get to my head.
I decide to go after one of their earners, so they’ll have fiscal motives for getting him back. And if I have to waste the guy, I won’t feel so bad.
Club Neon is still up and running despite John’s absence. One of our informants told us a few of the Salvatores' made guys are running things. In the meantime, the Salvatores are scrambling to find someone who can replicate John’s recipe for the death drug.
I cruise around the block in front of the club, looking for low hanging fruit to grab. It’s late afternoon, and the place is nearly empty, except for a few drunks hanging out at the bar. I drive around to the back, and see that the Romano reserved parking spot is filled. I swing into the spot next to the gaudy cadillac that probably looks better than it runs. On the way inside, I kick the tires.
After scoping things out to make sure there are no surprises waiting for me, I go in through the backdoor, which has been propped open by a brick. My eyes land on the door at the end of the hallway, the broom closet. It wasn’t long ago I had Lily in there, half dressed, my mouth buried into her pussy, but it feels like I was a different person then. I thought I could fuck her and leave her, hopefully break her heart in the process, the way she did mine. I had no idea how fucking impossible that was.
The lights are on in John’s office, and the door’s open. I hear sounds coming from inside, some large oaf slamming drawers opened and closed, pawing through files. I step closer and peek inside. It’s Sal Cordero, just who I was looking for.
Sal doesn’t see me standing in the doorway. He’s searching John’s desk, and I have an idea of what he’s looking for, the flash drive that held John’s recipe. The office is torn apart. All of the furniture is moved to the center of the room. They’ve searched here many times before, looking for the flash drive that’s shoved in John’s shoe, under the heel of his rotting foot.
I slap a smile on my face, and knock lightly on the door. Sal’s head jerks up. His cheeks are red, and sweat drips down his forehead. He freezes for a moment, then stands and straightens his shirt.
“Mateo,” he says, holding his arms out welcomingly. “It’s been a long time.”
I walk towards the desk, careful not to take my eyes off of him. He holds his arms out by his side, his fingers spread. I know he’s thinking of how he can get to his gun.
“How you doing, Sal? Sorry I haven’t been by to visit. Things have been hectic.”
“Sure, sure. I know the feeling.” Sal glances behind me to the hallway, which I don’t like one bit.
“Hey,” I shout, making him look back at me. “You seem distracted. You looking for someone?”
“Nah,” Sal says, sitting down. “Just thought I heard something, is all.”
I stand up quietly, and without taking my eyes off of him, close the door. I turn the lock deliberately, making sure it makes a loud thunk.
“That’s better,” I say. “No more distractions.”
The corners of Sal’s smile twitch. “I didn’t know you were coming by, Mateo. What can I do for you?”
I sit across from him, leaning back casually. “You don’t look so good, Sal. You’re worrying me. And this place-“ I gesture around the torn apart office. “It’s a wreck. How do you get any work done in this mess?”
“It’s been tough getting organized, you know, since John-“ Sal gulps.
“That’s right. I heard about him. Any word on where he went?”
Sal throws up his hands. “You’re guess is as good as mine. Probably ran off with a mistress, if I’m being honest.”
“It’s strange, you know, when people go missing. Just disappear. You know, we’re missing one of our guys too. Mike, you know him, right?”
“Sure.”
“Haven’t seen him in days. You hear anything about that?”
Sal shakes his head, slowly. “This is all news to me. Sorry to hear about your man. Mike is a good guy, loyal too.”
Loyal, I know what that means. Mike didn’t talk, or he had to be in a lot of pain to give any information. We stare at each other for awhile. We’re at the part of the conversation where we each know the other is full of shit. I think of what they must’ve done to Mike. It takes all I have to keep from shooting him on the spot.
Sal breaks eye contact. “So, what’s this about? I’m real busy here.”
My smile deepens. “I can see that.”
I’m a wall of calm, which only makes Sal more agitated. Finally, he breaks.
“Why don’t you just spit it out, you pretty boy fuck? What’s up your sleeve?”
I lean forward, folding my hands in front of me. “I’m glad you’re ready to get serious. I was getting tired of the chit chat. I have something you want.”
“What?”
I shrug, raising my eyebrows. Sal growls, his ugly lips pressed together.
“Okay,” he says with an angry nod. “I think we’re both on the same page here.” He looks to the side
and exhales with relief. “You have it?” he asks, hopefully.
I stay silent, forcing him to say the words.
Sal blows out his lips and curses at the ceiling. “The flash drive?” he whispers harshly.
I tilt my head forward. “That something you need?”
Sal’s face is still, but I can see in his eyes how badly he needs it. I figure Paul Salvatore has threatened his life, and his family’s, if he doesn’t come up with that flash drive soon.
“In exchange for what?” Sal asks.
I lean forward, tapping my knuckles on the desk. There’s not a spot of blood anywhere. Leo did a bang up job of cleaning everything up.
“We call it even,” I say.
Sal’s eyes deepen with real anger. I’m practically admitting to killing John.
“I don’t like that look,” I say, cocking my head at him. “This is just business, after all. I help you out, you help me out.”
“Where is it?” Sal asks.
I slap my thighs and stand up. “Come with me.”
“No fucking way. You bring it to me.”
“I could do that. But who’s to say I won’t lose it on the way over here? You know, accidentally drop it out of the car window.”
“You little prick,” Sal says. Still, he stands up, grabbing his wallet.
We get in the car, and I drive us to a warehouse my family owns. It’s out of the way, and perfect for inconvenient business such as this.
“We’re not going to the pool hall?” Sal asks when I stop the car.
I recoil back, like I’m offended. “You think I’d keep something like that in my personal office? Sal, I’m insulted.”
Sal shakes his head impatiently. We walk inside the warehouse. I make sure Sal is at least half a pace ahead of me at all times. Even if you think you have the upper hand, you never want to turn your back on a man like him.
I stare at him, assessing his size. He’s a foot shorter than me, but he’s got close to fifty pounds on me. True, the extra weight is mostly fat, but I wouldn’t underestimate his strength. I have to knock him out cold, just to be on the safe side. I put my hand on the handle of the gun as we walk inside of the warehouse, waiting for the right moment. I close the door behind us, making it pitch dark in here. In my next, fluid movement, I yank the gun from my holster, and crash it into the back of Sal’s head.
Witness: A Dark Mafia Romance (Romano Brothers Book 2) Page 12
