Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
“Forever, Daddy.”
Chapter
Thirteen
Enzo sat by the fireplace in his office with a crystal glass filled with a plentiful amount of bourbon. He watched the play of light reflecting through the liquid and plotted a way out of the mess he was in. The Nightfall group had shaken his grip on the city. Other gangs circled his territory like vultures ready to divide the spoils of what he had built.
He had lost two crews in a short time; one had simply disappeared and the driver returned dead. Not just dead, he thought to himself, but their skin had appeared colorless—paler than anyone he’d seen before, as if they were completely drained of blood. The one guy left had driven the van to his own door with the bodies stacked like cordwood in the back. Whatever he’d seen had left him a gibbering idiot who was totally useless for any insight into exactly what the hell had happened. The scene was like some goddamn horror show!
The common factor in all these problems stemmed from one stupid bar. Everything had gone to shit when that place opened its doors. Not that they affected any of his revenue streams. The gambling, drugs, and whores were doing business as usual. Nightfall’s lack of respect in not paying the tribute for operating on his turf couldn’t be allowed to continue without some reprisal, Enzo decided as he swirled the ice in the glass and took a drink.
Then there was the matter of his sister, Alessia. He had sent her into that place to get more information on the bar’s operation, and all she had come back with was barely more than the last worthless guy who succeeded in getting inside! To make matters worse, she was kidnapped from this very house. Not that Enzo cared much about Alessia’s disappearance, but to take her out of his house under the watch of his useless guards, revealed another weakness. His incompetent crew hadn’t noted the abductor’s presence until they’d reached the wall.
It was, however, not something his mother could ignore. “You will bring her back to me, Enzo! I have stayed out of this family’s business out of respect for you, but you will discover what happened and get her home,” she had said in a voice he had not heard since his teenage years. “Get your people out there and find her.”
He’d followed his mother’s desires after all when he put out the word of the bonus for her whereabouts and return. Of course, her treachery couldn’t go unpunished. Marrying her off to consolidate power was a brilliant plan. His mother would be happy to see Alessia settled and ready to have grandbabies for her. And Enzo wouldn’t look weak for allowing her to escape.
A knock on the office door interrupted his musings. Enzo took a moment to sip his drink and savor the burn of the finely aged bourbon as the alcohol slid down his throat. Straightening his collar and sitting a little taller in his chair, he directed his full attention to whoever was on the other side of the portal. “Come in!”
Frankie barged into the room, slamming the door behind him. Enzo sat up, ready to take his head off. His henchman’s furious expression made him pause. “What is going on, Frankie? You better have a damn good reason for this disrespect.”
The word disrespect seemed to capture Frankie’s attention. He visibly reined in some of his anger and announced, “I have news about Alessia, Boss. You won’t like it.”
“Tell me,” Enzo ordered. His eyes narrowed as he concentrated on Frankie.
Frankie moved to stand in front of Enzo before continuing, “I was out checking with the guys we have staking out that bar. I saw Alessia in a car with one of the Nightfall staff. She didn’t seem frightened at all about riding with him.”
Enzo gripped his glass tighter. “What exactly do you mean?” He leaned forward in his chair, pinning Frankie in front of him with his gaze.
Frankie was a snake, but he was loyal to Enzo. Frankie’s highest ambition was to marry Alessia and tie himself into the family. The heavy believed he’d gain power by controlling Enzo’s sister. Little did he know, Enzo didn’t give a fuck about Alessia. He wouldn’t have spent a moment looking for her if his mother hadn’t insisted.
Frankie scowled, red-faced with ire. “Your fucking sister was laughing and smiling at the driver of the car. She certainly didn’t appear like someone in a hostage situation.”
A steaming mass of fury gathered inside Enzo. To give himself time to control his reaction, Enzo slowly raised his glass to take another drink. “And where are they now?”
Frankie visibly spat out the words. “They headed away from the downtown area. I trailed them to some place in a ritzy suburban neighborhood. I’d never been out that far, but the house must be a big place beyond an impressive stone fence around the property.”