Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
When he didn’t reach for his phone, I slammed my hand on the table again and made it bounce. “I won’t ask you again.”
He fumbled as he reached for his phone in his pocket. He took it out and dropped it on the floor, and one of his cronies grabbed it for him before setting it on the table. Now Luigi was a mess, his hands shaking so much that he could barely unlock his screen. Couldn’t remember his son’s number by heart, so he looked in his contact list, his hands trembling so much, he dropped the phone more than once.
“Hurry up, old man.” I snatched the knife from the table then sauntered toward Don Mancini and Elio.
Don Mancini’s stare was as rigid as his body, like he was near a wild lion and he was trying to remain absolutely still to avoid my wrath.
I grinned. “Isn’t this fun?”
Don Mancini didn’t say a word.
“Should turn on some music in here,” I said as I turned back to Luigi while his sweaty fingers continued to press the screen. “Kinda feel like dancing.” I stopped and did a little shake of my hips before I spun the knife again.
Luigi finally made the call. “I’m—I’m calling.” He put the phone to his ear.
I snatched the phone from his hand and set it on the table.
Then I heard the sound of a ring, but not from the phone on the table. It came from inside the warehouse, quiet and distant.
I cupped one hand to my ear as I craned my neck. “Anyone hear that?”
It rang again, coming from the crates against the wall.
“Huh, looks like it’s coming from over here.” I walked over to the boxes, to the one with the red mark on the side that my guy had put there last night. “That’s strange…” I turned around and leaned against the crate as the phone inside the wooden box continued to ring. “Why would Dante’s phone be in here?” I rubbed my fingers across my chin as I feigned thoughtfulness. “Any ideas, Luigi Lombardi?”
Luigi was a mess now, hyperventilating when the realization hit him, listening to his son’s phone ring from a coffin. “No…no.”
Don Mancini’s eyes widened as he looked at me, his expression a mix of horror and terror…and maybe respect?
Leo flat-out smirked.
Luigi left his chair and rushed to the crate that I leaned against. “No.” He tried to pull it apart with his hands, but it was nailed shut.
“Allow me.” I stabbed through the opening in the top then used it as leverage to pop the lid. I pushed the top aside and then tipped the box over, his son’s body rolling out, his wrists and ankles tied together. An oxygen mask was secured to his face, and a small tank was with him to make sure he could get air while he was drugged. He didn’t even know he’d been in a box because I’d knocked him out before I’d put him in the crate.
“Dante!” Luigi dropped to his knees in front of his son. “Is he alive? Dante?”
“Alright, that’s enough.” I grabbed him by the front of the shirt just the way his men had with Leo and shoved him back, sending him to his ass on the floor. His men didn’t come around to help him, all too scared to get close to him. “Let’s do a quick recap, shall we?” I stood over Dante’s unconscious body and changed the grip on my knife, what I used to stab someone right through the heart.
“You deceived Don Mancini, claimed to be an ally while you snuck around in the dark like the fucking rat you are. You stole two shipments of his guns, and even when Don Mancini came here in the hope of some kind of cooperative reconciliation, you chose to ambush him. Threatened to kill his son if he didn’t give you his business. Am I missing anything?” I turned to look at my guys behind me. “Elio?”
Elio shook his head.
I turned back to Luigi. “Which brings us here. And I’m fucking mad as hell. If this decision were up to me, I would carve your son like prime rib right in front of you and then do the same to the rest of you—one by fucking one.” I pointed and then moved my finger around to all of them. “Because this pit bull is fucking hungry.” Then I barked. Barked quick and loud, the sound echoing off the walls of the warehouse. “But Don Mancini is the boss, not me. So he’ll decide your fate.”
I stepped away, returning to my rightful place in the background, my job finished.
Don Mancini looked at me and stared.
I stared back.
Then he gave me a nod—a nod that said more than words ever could.
I nodded back.
He stepped forward and glanced at Dante asleep on the floor and then looked at Luigi.