The Stable is a strip club and a very lucrative one at that. The place is constantly packed, day and night. I used to come here in my early days for fast, easy sex. It hadn’t hurt that I’m the next in line to run the city; I’d received loads of attention. The novelty had worn off pretty damn quick, though, since anyone and everyone could fuck the women. I’d learned to appreciate my father’s advice on bagging my goods after what I saw. The basement is reserved for “meetings.” In reality, this is one of the places where we can torture our enemies without raising any suspicions. The walls are soundproof, the music is loud, and no one can get in here without the lock codes. And only two of us know what those codes are: my father and me. There’s even a bypass that leads directly to this underground area, so we don’t have to go into the main rooms.
To their credit, the three men hadn’t cowered when we’d brought them here. They know what this place means, instead they look around the room confused by the situation. I have Luciano at hand in case the situation requires his interrogations skills as well as Father’s two men who’d brought the traitors here. Mario is sitting next to my father.
“Don Moretti, did we do something wrong?” asks Sergio eyes searching for answers.
Carlo and Flavio gasp upon hearing Sergio address the don without being called upon.
“Your father is a loyal soldier Sergio; I would hope you understand that being called here is no small matter. Are you a loyal soldier?” my father asks menacingly.
“Yes, capo, Famiglia per Sempre,” he affirms without hesitation. “We serve our family. My father, my brother, Enrico, and I… we are proud to be your men.”
“Then tell me what the reason is for you all to be moved to Mario’s jurisdiction without notifying me, your Don,” my father says rising to stand.
“Don Moretti, Salvatore Cagglia said that this was at your request. He is our supervisor and your next underboss. It would be disrespectful to go over his head,” Sergio says. He is a proud young man from a good, solid, respectful family. His father has served with us for years and his brother has been instrumental in creating alliances with our political friends.
I walk over to my father and lean in to speak in his ear. “Father, may I make a suggestion?” I ask. “I think that we may be able to get to the root of the matter faster if we split them up.”
“Fine, let’s speed this up.” He nods.
“Luciano, you take Flavio through there. Mario and Father, perhaps you can continue with Sergio. Carlo will come with me,” I suggest. Splitting them up will make it easier to see the inconsistencies and to detect the lies.
I watch the three men’s uneasiness. “I will tell you now, the first one to lie to me will lose a limb, and for each and every lie afterward, another. As it is, you will be under our watchful eyes for a long time to come. This is the time to be completely honest. If not for yourselves, then for your family and brothers who serve us with pride and honor.”
Carlo stands before me raising his voice indignantly and shouting. “I am honorable! I would never sully my father’s name.,” I grab him by the throat and squeeze until he gasps. The other two rise but are stopped by Luciano’s hands on their shoulders forcing them back down into their seats.
“Respect means watching your tongue when you speak to me or in future, I will have it removed from your body and placed in a jar on my mantel as a souvenir,” I tell him before letting him drop to the floor. I turn to my father. “Let’s get this done.”
I pull Carlo by the collar and toss him into a chair in the office off the main room. I sit my ass on the edge of the desk and fold my arms over my chest.
“This is how it’s going to go. I ask the questions and you’ll be quick with your responses.”
Carlo nods immediately.
“Who gave you the order to move to Mario’s district?” I throw out.
“Sal did. He said that it came from Signor Amate on a secret mission for the Don.”
“What mission?”
“Sal said that Mario was skimming, and the Don needs proof before taking matters into his own hands.”
“Did you find proof?” I ask.
“No, sir. Mario is very careful with the books and makes sure there’s a new man each week to review. Then he goes over them with a fine-toothed comb.”
“Has Amate ever spoken his orders directly to you?” I question.
“Only Sal, but he speaks for Amate. I know this because when we were sent to Mario, the order came in a call from Sal and Amate,” Carlo verifies.
“What did he say, exactly?” I glare intently at Carlo, looking for any signs of a lie.
“Something like, ‘Follow instructions and you will be rewarded in the end,’ so I did,” he divulges.
“Did Mario ever speak to Amate?” I continue to grill him.
“He must have. We went to his office as requested and he didn’t turn us away. We just thought they made this decision and we soldiers do our duty to La Famiglia.” He shrugs.
“When did Sal go back to work with Amate?” I inquire.
“I don’t know for sure.”
“Anything else I should know?” I unclasp my arms and set them on the edge of the desk, leaning forward.
“I don’t know if it means anything. I don’t want to be a stupid rat when I might have gotten a conversation mixed up or something,” he discloses.
“But you heard something, and it doesn’t feel right. That’s called instinct, Carlo. It’s a warning that the shit stinks,” I validate. “What did you hear?”
“I heard Sal say that, if he can’t get to the books, he can get to the men. At first, I thought it was to get them to talk about money going missing or shit. Then the men at the warehouse get killed so I think, what the fuck, but I could be wrong,” he reveals to me, shaking his head. “We’re the fall guys? We’re so stupid, wanting to make it big, make our family proud, but Sal is using us to take the fall. Why isn’t he here?” He looks around the room, noting that they have been set up.
“You three didn’t fuck us up as much as I thought. If you had been part of the hit to Mario’s men, you would die,” I tell him. “You three were played, and so were we. But if you think you’ll go unpunished, that’s not going to happen.”
I reconvene with, my father, Mario and Luciano. The stories they were told are consistent with Carlo’s. It seems that the elusive Sal is the key to this treacherous deceit. Still, my gut says there is more to this.
“I should contact Amate,” my father says.
“Father, I think we should proceed with caution. Not yet.” I rub my jaw, thinking that I would rather have the element of surprise. My father and Mario look at me.
“What are you thinking?” Luciano asks.
“Amate has never been a strong underboss. He can let something slip. I feel like we got all we can from these three, but a chunk is still missing, and I don’t want anyone tipped off,” I clarify.
“Agreed,” my father affirms, turning to Mario.
“Agreed. Whatever my Don thinks is best.” Mario nods in agreement.
Luciano looks across the room, where the young men are waiting in the other room. “What do we do with them?”
Flavio speaks up, “Sir, please you shoot me because if my father thinks I am a traitor to my family, he will kill me, and I would rather die by your hand.” Flavio’s father is a dedicated man who has served with vigilance and pride. He’s right; his father will whip him within an inch of his life.
“I should let him,” I reply. “Instead, you will all now serve Luciano if my father agrees. He will make sure you three understand that being part of this family is not only doing as you’re told, but understanding that when something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t right and you should alert us.”
“As for your father,” says mine, “he will be told what I tell him, and he will accept what I say and my decisions.”
“Fuck,” Sergio says. “Shit. Look, I hear you about instincts. And I heard Sal say somethi
ng that doesn’t sit right with me. He said that some uppity girl is going to get what’s coming to her. I don’t know who he’s talking about. It could be your sister, though, couldn’t it?” He turns to me with concern on his face.
“He always says stupid stuff like that,” Carlo says, “It could be anyone.”
“He said it at the funeral. It’s one of ours,” Sergio says with conviction.
“Put another man on Felicia and Grazia,” Luciano says. “The best we have on our crew.”
My blood runs cold. Ever since the engagement Felicia has been a target. Fury fills me. I nod at his suggestion, thinking that one man isn’t going to be enough and I am going to have to break it to Felicia that she is going to be housebound until we resolve this mess. Whereas, my father turns purple. He is fuming at the entire situation.
We spend the next hour coming up with a way to move Flavio, Carlo and Sergio over to Luciano without causing more upset or tipping off Sal and Amate.
Chapter Sixteen
Headache And Tea
Felicia
Nero came home very late that night. I saw that he had much on his mind. This didn’t stop him from waking me by murmuring my name in my ears when he returned home. He followed my name up with sweet words of endearments, making me feel loved and cherished as he worshipped my body. I fell in love with my husband. I discovered this while baking a cake. I threw out the first two. The first because I forgot to add baking powder and didn’t rise. The second because I forgot to grease the pan and it stuck. I thought what a fool I am for doing all of this, to reflect that I did this because I respect, admire and am falling in love with my husband.
When I was first told of our union, I was shocked and worried that I would not be the wife Nero would need. Even then, I was attracted to him. Physically I was drawn to those intense eyes. I was frightened once, but he made sure that I never felt that again in his presence. Although it does not come naturally to him, he is playful, fun. We have taken walks on a few selected moments in the garden, when time permitted, where we were able to have conversations. I told him about Emiliano and how I miss my little brother, my friend, Olivia and how happy I am to include Grazia in my friendships. Nero told me about his youth, his solidarity with Luciano. Luciano is a remarkable man and I can see the respect between the two. Nero told me a little about his childhood and only a strong man could survive his struggles. They are like brothers and I look forward to getting to know him better.
I wake to the sounds of Nero taking a shower. This means I get the gym all to myself once he leaves for work. Nero teases me saying that I should workout with him, but let’s face it, I’m not pretty when I run on a treadmill. I sweat and stink; that’s not how I want my new husband to see me. The only sweating I want him to be party to is when we’re working up some heat between the sheets.
Breakfast is easy today; I made bacon and eggs for Nero, and a smoothie for myself. It’s my first and I have to say, it’s not bad for the first try. Strawberry, banana, kale… not bad at all. I know that Mariana will be back from her trip away with her husband and will be back to making meals for us and doing the housework. I’m excited about not doing the housework, but I find that I enjoy the kitchen. I like cooking for Nero and me. It’s something that brings me joy when I see him taste my cooking and make those delicious sounds.
Nero struts in wearing his Armani blue suit with a cream shirt and matching tie. Yummy, and I am not talking about my smoothie.
“Keep looking at me like that and I am going to be late for work, Felicia,” he joshes before he kisses me then takes his place at the table.
“I can’t help it. You look very handsome today, honey.” I am getting more comfortable with our discussions.
“And you are beautiful every day, dolce. But duty calls. This week is going to be tough,” he says, “so behave yourself so I don’t need to worry about you.,”
I feign a look of indignation, crossing my arms with my withering stare and lips upturned. “Really? Me? Misbehave? Whatever are you talking about?”
He pulls me onto his lap. “Sit with me until I go.”
“Would it be okay if, when Mariana returns, I take a night or two to make dinner?” I ask tentatively.
“Felicia, this is your home. You can cook anytime you like. I would take Mariana up on the offer to learn some of her dishes. She is a fabulous cook. I think you will enjoy time with her,” he reveals.
“You think she will want to?” I ask with hope. I have been doing well, however a little more guidance would make it easier. I have avoided working in the kitchen, no matter how often mom wanted to teach me. I always had an excuse for not wanting to cook. But for Nero, I truly love it.
“Dolce, she will love it. She could never have children, and her big heart will treat you as if you’re her very own,” he confides.
A short while later, Nero leaves for work and I go about my day, starting with my run. It’s such a nice day out, and as winter is fast approaching, I decide to go for a run on the property. I throw on my workout gear, making sure I have a toque and mitts. Dario is in the kitchen with Livio, having the breakfast, I left for them. I pop my head in.
“Is it okay if I go for a run on the property while you guys finish up?” I laugh, knowing full well that that’s never going to happen.
“Not a chance, Felicia. You know better than that. One of us can come with you, if you wait a minute,” Dario responds with a smile.
“Aren’t we completely fenced in? It should be safe to go alone,” I tell them, with fake pouty lips. I love teasing these two. I have no intention of making their lives difficult.
“Felicia, please don’t make Nero shoot us. If anything happens to you, he will lose his mind,” Livio adds.
“I’m finished. Two seconds to change and we can head out.” Dario gets up placing his plate in the dishwasher.
“I’ll do the walk around the perimeter, while you two go for your jog,” Livio states.
We are forty-five minutes into the run, and I can see that I am nowhere near the physical endurance of Dario. He’s keeping the pace slow for me but, even then, I’m struggling to keep up. I’ve been running for a few years so this is almost embarrassing.
“Leave me here to die,” I say while huffing out each word as I step.
“You’re better than I thought you’d be, Felicia. I’ve been training since I before I was inducted, remember,” he says.
“Right.” I blow out in a breath. “I need to catch my breath.”
I bend over to catch my breath when I hear a pop and see Dario fall to the ground, blood oozing from his shirt. I scream and drop beside him, but then someone grabs me from behind. I kick, trying to claw at his hands, but then, bam! A fist connects to my temple. There’s ringing in my ears and a throb in my head with the sound of men’s voices before I sink into darkness.
Nero
I stand in the middle of my warehouse with my men circled all around. We have been on a mission to find Sal Cagglia since yesterday and we need to find him now.
“Every person here is on the search for Sal. Only the small team is on duty to keep our shipment moving to be on time. The rest of you have a job to do. You do not alert anyone but me if you have him. He does not disappear from your sights and keep close without being seen until I make it to your location. If, for any reason, I cannot be contacted you will call Luciano or my father,” I communicate the information, adding, “Is this understood?”
A solid resounding, “Yes, sir!” emanates from the men.
“Move,” I direct. The group disperses in teams of three. We will have Sal in our custody today, then I can ask the questions I dare not utter until I see him. Sal is ruthless, but he made a grave mistake if he thinks he is taking down my family.
The chime of my phone grabs my attention. It’s Olivia. How the hell does she even have my number? My gut tightens and I pick up the call. “Olivia?”
“Something’s wrong. Felicia isn’t picking up her phone. We have pl
ans for today and I was calling to reschedule, but she wasn’t picking up and now, her phone’s off and going right to voicemail. I even tried the house line, but no one answers. This isn’t like her. Not when we have plans.”
“Olivia do not leave your home. I’m going to call my men. I’ll have Felicia call you as soon as this is straightened out,” I tell her calmly, but, inside, my blood is raging. Where is my wife?
I bring up Dario’s phone to call him when Livio’s name pops up on my screen. “Yes, Livio. Everything alright at home?”
“I can’t get them on the phone.” Livio’s huffing as if he’s running. “Felicia wanted to go for a run on the property. Dario went with her while I did the perimeter walk. It’s past the time we were supposed to meet up, so I called them both, but neither one has answered. I’m running the grounds now, but we could use some more men.”
“I’m on my way now and will call Luciano to meet us. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I make my way to my car, barking orders about where to meet when they catch Sal. Luciano’s the best tracker I know. He can find anyone and anything. He’s my best shot even though I want to be there first. I want to be the one to save her. But I can’t risk her safety for my ego. Getting her back safe is more important than anything to me. I call my father immediately to let him know that Felicia is missing.
“We’ll find her, man,” Luciano tells me. “I just got here. Let me go check it out.”
I call my father along the way and let him know what’s happening. He sets the wheels in motion to expand the search if necessary. I arrive home to see Luciano and Livio carrying Dario whose dripping blood leaves a stain across my driveway.
“Gunshot wound to the shoulder and one to the gut. He’s lost a lot of blood,” Livio says.
A moan escapes Dario. “Fel… Felicia.”
“Where is she?” I ask urgently, at this point I don’t care that they see my raw need to know the whereabouts of my wife.
“Sal took…” he sputters. “Thinks I’m dead.” He moans as Luciano puts pressure on his wounds. “Amate knows. Highway out of town.” He grabs my jacket. “She fought.” He passes out cold. I make a call to my father, and he sets all the men on alert except Amate’s men. My uncle is in for a world of pain when I get my hands on him. His is either part of this kidnapping or totally inept as leader.
Reign Of Pride (Dark Reign Book 1) Page 12