Reign (The Vendetta Series Book 2)

by Kris Anne Dean

  Cal snakes his arm around the man’s neck in a choke hold. “One step toward my woman is one step too close.” Cal squeezes his arm until Augusto’s eyes widen and his face turns a pale white. “Someone better tell me what’s going on before I choke the life out this guy.”

  My voice trembles in my throat as I try to form the words. “They work for Angelo. This whore is a hooker and he’s her drug dealer and pimp.”

  Tears well up in the woman’s eyes and she sobs, “We don’t work for Angelo. We work for Nitty Ninez. He pays Angelo for letting us work this street. Bars are the best place to find a trick and sell a few grams.”

  Anger flashes in Cal’s eyes. Seeing his darker side surface makes my panties wet but before I can satisfy the urge pooling between my legs, I have to finish what I started. I tighten my death grip on her hair and her limbs tremble. “Angelo doesn’t run this street anymore so never let me catch you here again.”

  I let go of her hair and she scrambles to put distance between us.

  Cal’s arms are still constricting Augusto’s airways when he pushes him out the door. “I warned Ninez once, the next time I catch any of his men dealing drugs on my side of the city they won’t get off this easy. Make sure he gets the message.” When Cal releases him they scurry away like vermin.

  Cal turns back in my direction, his eyes narrow but a smirk tugs at his lips. “So the two of you are working together now to scare the hell out of tweaking prostitutes?”

  Victoria and I look at each other and the sound of our laughter shatters the tension lingering in the air. Not only did the fear in the woman’s eyes bring me a bit of satisfaction, my new partner and I bonded over the experience.

  I nestle myself in Cal’s arms and look up at him. “They’re not coming back here tonight, take me home so you can take me to bed.”

  Cal reaches in his pocket and pulls out a set of keys. He tosses them into Victoria’s hand. “Lock up for us, please.”

  “Sure thing.”

  The rest of the night, I wrestle with my thoughts, my mind feverish with indecision. As much as I despise having prostitutes in our bar, all I can see are dollar signs.

  Chapter 8- Cal

  There’s something weighing on Brie’s mind. It’s been brewing behind her dark eyes since last night. I watch her scouring the internet on her laptop from my position on the other side of the room. I have to trust that when she finds what she’s looking for, she’ll let me in on it.

  After last night, there’s no doubt in my mind that Brie can handle being the Boss's wife. I witnessed a side of her, I never saw before. I knew she was strong but there was a fierceness that even my darkest impulses couldn’t match. I must remember that before I ever piss her off. Hormonal or not, she may be lethal and I prefer to keep my balls attached.

  “That’s the last one. I think you’re well covered.” Nash adjusts the camera position and climbs down the ladder, I’m supposed to be holding.

  “Great, let’s pull the feed up on the monitor and make sure there are no blind spots.” I open the app on my computer and browse the feed. “Looks good. You got every angle.”

  “Expecting a problem?” Nash asks studying the screen from over my shoulder.

  “Just taking precautions. I want to see any trouble before it gets here.”

  There are too many distractions moving around me and I can’t afford to let my guard down. As soon as I do, we become vulnerable and that’s when Angelo or the Bianchi family will make their move. They’ve sat quietly by and that worries me. Especially now that I’ve waged war on Nitty Ninez and his drug and prostitution ring. I’m not holding back any punches, when I go after something, I go hard. I’ve hit Angelo where it counts, undermining his cash flow at every turn. Which is why Nash and I are installing cameras throughout the bar and on the street.

  “Now let’s talk about security over a cold one.” I reach over the bar to retrieve two beers from the cooler and hand one to Nash.

  “I’ve gone over the files you gave me and I think you’ve chosen some good men. There’s nothing connecting them to any other families and none of them have criminal records, which will help keep a low profile. You can easily bill them as normal security for a bar this size.”

  There’s a lot on my plate and I need manpower on the streets to hold our new territory. Vinny’s men are solid, but like him they are aging. The family needs young blood to defend against attacks. The Commission has their own way of doing things and if I want the continued support; I need to play by the rules. Every new member I bring in gets vetted and vouched for by a current member. There’s no rule that says I can’t be that member. It’s a loophole I have to thread tightly. Whether I like it or not, we all answer to the Commission.

  “You’ve been a big help but I need to ask for more. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t trust you with all I have. I need you to train them, full on tactical, precision, long shots, surveillance, the whole nine yards.”

  “No problem, man. I’ll let Carra know they will join us at the ranch for a few days. We have the space and privacy we need out there. I have quite the setup, if I may say so myself. I’ve been training Carra. She’s a natural, really excelling on surveillance.”

  I choke back a laugh and swallow my beer. “It’s hard to picture my sister as a bad ass but I guess it’s in our genes and the training, of course.”

  “You don’t know half of what I’ve taught her.” Nash winks, taunting me. If we weren’t best friends, practically brothers, since we were children I would pound him for insinuating my twin sister was less than innocent. Even though I know better. Carra is one of those women who has every man she meets wrapped around her little finger. She knows how to keep them on the line and use them to get what she wants. She can be the devil in a dress, when she wants to be.

  “TMI, dude. Whatever games you and your wife play are best kept out of my head.” I can’t control myself any longer and a rumble of laughter echoes across the room.

  “You started it.”

  After a long stare down I change the subject, pulling an envelope out from under the bar and hand it to him. “See what you can find out on her.”

  Nash empties the contents of the envelope onto the bar and glances through the papers before picking up the picture. “Samantha Callahan. Why does that name sound familiar? What am I looking for?”

  “I don’t know but there’s something there. I just haven’t found it yet. She has an anonymous backer who wants to fund my poker games but I have this nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach I can’t shake. I was hoping you could dig deeper. See what turns up.”

  I did the research, but all I uncovered was picture perfect details. So perfect it flew up even more red flags than an offer of one hundred grand from an anonymous investor. My instincts are never wrong, and something tells me there’s more to this offer than meets the eye.

  Nash tucks the papers back into the folder. “Lucky for you I hired a tech savvy computer whiz at the firm. I’ll see what he turns up. I agree though her background, tax records, even the corporation she works for looks perfect. If there’s something buried under the surface, my guy will find it.”

  “Peel back as many layers as you need to. I want to know any and all connections, this woman has.”

  We finish our beers and I help Nash load his equipment into his truck. When I return to the bar, Brie and Vinny are looking at something online and whispering. Now I know she’s up to something and apparently he’s bought into it. I pull up a chair and sit next to her. My jaw hits the ground when I see what she’s been looking at all morning.

  I raise an eyebrow and cock my head. “Are you going to tell me what’s running through that beautiful mind of yours?”

  She hesitates for a moment and looks towards Vinny, who gives her an encouraging nod. “So I’ve been thinking. What’s the easiest way to get your players to shell out more money, then offering them this.” She motions to the computer screen.

  I look over the pictures of call
girls running in a slideshow across her screen. “These players have more money than they know what to do with. I’m sure they don’t need to pay for sex. Even if we offered hotties like what your checking out here.”

  Her fierce stare is dark and deadly. If looks could kill, the narrow eyes she stabs in my direction, would bury me. “They’re more than hotties, Cal and more important they’re not the twenty dollar whores that have been frequenting this place.”

  “Even so. My players come to gamble not have sex.”

  “Wealthy men are looking for brains, beauty and ambition, someone who won’t make them feel as if they're slumming it for sex. And that’s not what we're offering. We're offering the girlfriend experience with a sophisticated woman. One who can keep them at the table longer, by schmoozing them and stroking their egos and when they’ve played their last hand, they’re still paying us because odds are he’s taking her home.”

  “Ok, if this is what you want but I’m stretched thin already. Can you handle the details?”

  I follow Brie’s gaze across the room and nod my head when I see who she’s looking at…

  “Victoria would be perfect.”

  Hearing her name, Victoria makes her way over. “Victoria’s perfect for what?” she asks, eyeing the three of us suspiciously.

  I stand and pull over a chair so she can join us. We’re discussing the idea and how to make it work, when the chimes over the front door catch our attention. Brie shuts the laptop and Victoria flips over the headshots she’s gathered of potential leads. I watch the excitement drain from Brie’s eyes and fill with anxiety. She twists her fingers into the strands of her hair and practically holds her breath when Agent Lanah Kent approaches. There’s only one reason she would have for coming here and that means there’s news on Angelo.

  “Agent Kent. This is a surprise, we weren’t expecting to hear from you for another month at least.” I stand and motion for her to sit, although I’m hoping she’ll make it quick.

  “I just thought I’d pop by and see for myself what you’ve been up to. Nice place,” she says, her eyes scanning the room from front to back, “Word has it your making a name for yourself along with a few enemies.”

  She’s not wrong. I’ve made more enemies than connections lately and I’m preparing for a shit storm to rain down. “Certainly you’re not here to chastise me for not playing nice with the scum running rampant in the streets?”

  “Don’t think any of this is happening under the radar. You gave me Deluca so I’m willing to not look too deep, but I am watching.” She pauses and her hesitation weighs on me, there’s something she’s not saying.

  The rumble of motorcycles outside reminds me why I need to get her out of here quickly. “Point taken. Now if you don’t mind. We’re in the middle of a business meeting. You're welcome to come back when we open. Drinks are on me.” I walk her toward the front door.

  “The real reason I came is to let you know Deluca has a trial date. I can’t stall any longer. You both should prepare to testify in the next few days.”

  “I was hoping we had more time but don’t worry we’ll be ready.”

  Just as she reaches for the door, its yanked open from the outside and the Krymson Destroyers walk in. She tosses me a sideways glance. “Sure, you're not up to anything.”

  Chapter 9- Franco

  I button my jacket to break the chill of the early morning air while I walk along the city streets. The sun is peeking over the horizon but it will still be hours before its warmth breaks through the towering skyline. Not that the warmth would make the slightest difference in my demeanor. Carmine assigned me this job because my six foot three inch, two hundred and fifty pounds of muscle is intimidating. I strike fear in the hearts of weak men and this job will leave one man weak beyond his worst nightmare.

  The crowds part in front of me, some even cross the street to avoid my path as I pick up my pace. When I reach my destination, I climb the stairs towards the cold concrete building. Lowering my head to avoid facial scanning of the cameras, I file in line and through the door secured by metal detectors. Since I have no weapons, I pass through with ease. I’m armed with an envelope tucked into the pocket of my jacket. The contents within the only weapon I need.

  Earlier this week, Carmine gave me the envelope and instructions to deliver to this address at precisely eight am, today. The first day of Angelo Deluca’s trial. Its contents turn my stomach and the thought of what I will do if the recipient does not comply makes my skin crawl. Regardless, I follow through on my orders. There’s no way out except in a body bag. I refuse to end up like that. If this plan works, I’ll no longer be second in command to a Capo but second to the head of the family.

  I part from the crowd and pass the main foyer, walking down a long wide corridor of empty offices. My mind on nothing but completing my assignment. Not even the rise and fall of voices from the occasional group of people passing by breaks my focus. I reach the office near the end of the hall and enter. The man I encounter is not what I expected. His job has aged his appearance. At only fifty, gray dusts his hair and worry lines etch his solemn face.

  He looks up at me from under wire rimmed bifocals. “May I help you?”

  I close the door behind me and approach him. Instead of sitting in one of the leather guest chairs, I tower over the large artisanal hardwood desk separating us to assert my dominance.

  He removes his glasses, pinching the stem between his fingers and looks up at me with narrow eyes equally dominant. “Young man, state your business or I will have to ask you to leave.”

  Without saying a word, I reach in my pocket and toss the envelope onto his desk in front of him.

  He flinches at my motion and settles his eyes on the envelope. “What is this?”

  My body stiffens but I keep the glare of my eyes steady on his face and my voice low. “Open it.”

  Minutes pass as we stare at each other in awkward silence, the tension building weighs heavy on his mind. He sets his glasses down and reaches for the envelope. Hesitating a moment longer before turning it over and opening the sealed flap. All color drains from his face as he removes the contents.

  The picture shakes in his hand and he raises his clouded eyes. “You have some balls kid bringing this into a courthouse crawling with cops.” That I do. “I assume this has to do with the Deluca trial? This is devious, manipulative behavior even for men like you.”

  He doesn’t want to know half of what a man like me can do. I narrow my dead eyes and lean across the desk. “You know what to do, if you don’t want them back in bits and pieces. I’ll start with your wife and then your little girl.” I tap my finger on their frightened faces staring at me from inside the photograph. The fear engulfing them hurts my eyes. The rolling in my stomach grows but I force it down. I can’t afford to show weakness, my strength is my power. “Since I’m the only one who knows where they are, I suggest you let me walk out of here. The cops will only get them killed. When it’s done, you’ll have settled your debt to the Bianchi’s and I will return them safe and sound.”

  I snatch the photograph from his trembling hand and collect the envelope, tucking them in to my jackets inside pocket. When I turn to walk away, I hear his fingers frantically pushing the keypad on his desk phone. His sobs float in the air when no one answers. I walk out of his office and head back the way I came, past the crowds filing into the courtrooms and the police officers making their rounds through the halls. The walls close in on me and I quickly exit the courthouse and down the steep concrete stairs. My heart pounds against my chest as I cross the street. Wiping the sweat from my brow with my clammy hands as I round the corner. My stomach rises in my throat forcing me to pause and slouch forward placing my palms on my knees. I inhale a deep breath until the rolling of my stomach settles. I lean against a building and light up a cigarette. The smoke burns my dry throat and I toss it to the ground, smothering it with my shoe.

  I pull my cell phone from my pocket and text Carmine: Message delive
red.

  I just hope Judge Winehold comes through before I’m forced to fulfill my threat. I’ve been in this line of work for years, I’m a killer. I’ve taken many lives but I’ve always thought there was a line I wouldn’t cross. Now I’m teetering that fine line on Carmine’s orders. I may have lied about being the only one who knows where they are being held but the threat against them was no lie. There’s no limit to what Carmine will do for his grandson. Of course, it will be my hands stained with the blood of an innocent woman and child, not his.

  I pocket the phone and light up another cigarette before continuing on my way. I could hail a cab across the city but I prefer to walk. I enjoy the solitude. It gives me time to get my head right. There’s a lot riding on this job and I can’t afford to fail or it’ll be my body being delivered to my family in pieces.

  Wouldn’t that be something? My mother runs her rosary through her wrinkled fingers in prayer for my soul every Sunday and asks the blessed Virgin Mary to deliver me from evil so I don’t end up on a slab like my father. My father, understood that duty wasn’t always an easy choice. He honored his commitment even as he bled out after being gunned down in the street. Despite my mother’s pleas, I took his spot in the Bianchi family. That’s what families like ours do. Which is why I haven’t settled down despite needing someone to hold on to, someone to silence the noise in my head. It takes a strong woman to handle this life and I haven’t found any. I came close once, but in the end, she only wanted the money and the title of Mafia Wife. I haven’t met a woman that understands that having children with a made-man means that one day that child will follow in my footsteps. Even if I was lucky enough to have a daughter instead, she’d likely marry someone just like me. It’s a never-ending circle. Even though people believe the Mafia doesn’t exist anymore, it’s the reason it could never die out. The agonizing thought is always in the back of my mind, violently thrashing any hope of a relationship before they have a chance to begin.