by Ali Parker
Marcus stood beside the table, comfortable in the presence of the guy simply because of all of the shit he'd already been through.
"Sorry about that." The man walked toward them and extended his hand to Marcus first, and then Zak. "I'm Demetri DeMarco. My friends call me D, but seeing that you're strangers..." He chuckled and lifted his hands. "Sit, please. You're my guests for the next few hours, though I expected only you, Marcus."
That the guy was already aware of who Marcus was said that he'd looked into everything available to him before inviting Marcus up. Where it should have bothered Marcus, it didn't. It rather impressed him.
"This is Zak. He's my closest associate." Marcus nodded at Zak before taking his seat. "Thanks for meeting with us on such short notice."
"Pleasure is all mine." The darkness in Demetri's eyes was rivaled to Billy's, and yet the man was dressed in an expensive business suit, his dark hair combed back and eyes piercing. He almost reminded Marcus of a more refined, younger version of Victor. The combination was deadly and something about him left Marcus a little on edge.
"Drinks?" The waitress stopped beside them.
"Guys? What can Cynthia get you?" Demetri lifted his eyebrow.
"Water," Zak responded. "With lemons, please, ma'am."
"I'll take a Jack and Coke. Double. On the rocks, please." Marcus leaned back in his seat and turned his attention back to Demetri. "Why am I here?"
"A man who likes to cut to the chase. I like it." Demetri picked up a file and handed it to Marcus. "We run a tight, small operation here in Chicago, but our reach is extensive. We work hard and we work a lot, but we're family. There's nowhere else I'd rather be than in the middle of this place surrounded by the only people I can trust. My syndicate."
"And you're the boss?" Zak asked. "The kingpin?"
"No. I'm the under boss. My employer is a longtime friend of my family, and it's his family that I've been integrated into. My older sister runs the shipping of goods, my younger brother the trading we do in weaponry."
"And Izabella is your hit man?" Marcus lifted his eyebrow as a smirk tugged at his mouth.
The feminine voice that rose up behind him was sexy and full of confidence. "She is, and if you're not careful, she'll tap you out before you know what hit you."
Demetri shook his head as a beautiful woman walked around and dropped down into the seat next to him. "Izabella Castaletta, my new friends. She's our enforcer."
The dark-haired beauty tilted her head to the side as she extended her hand. "Nice to meet you both. I hear you’re locked in the clutches of the dastardly Billy Turner."
Long dark brown hair framed one of the most angelic faces Marcus had ever seen. She rivaled Kate, but where his girl was tough and intimidating, this one almost seemed more feminine, more soft and refined around the edges.
More deadly.
"We're hoping to soon be done with Billy." Marcus brushed his hand over his chest. "He's an old problem that keeps cropping up."
"We can help." Demetri picked up his glass and took a quick sip. "We're looking to add another couple of solid people to our narcotics ring. We've heard good things about you."
"From who?" Marcus locked gazes with Demetri.
"Various sources." A smile tugged at the other man's lip. "Let's just say that we're interested in talking partnership, but before we even begin... let’s get a few things out of the way."
"Of course." Marcus shifted his attention back to Izabella, who hadn't taken her eyes off of him yet. "See something you like?"
"You look like a good ride." She smiled sweetly.
"Izzy." Demetri jerked his head toward her and gave her a stern look. "Don't."
"Fine. No fun at all." She winked at Marcus and got up, walking toward the exit. "I'm going to find a basket of that warm, sticky garlic bread you like, D."
Marcus couldn't help but notice the way Demetri’s eyes followed after the woman. He wanted her. It was rather interesting that he didn't have her already. They seemed to have been made for one another, the two of them a power couple if Marcus had ever seen one.
"Forgive her. She enjoys pushing my buttons almost as much as killing." Demetri shook his head and set his drink down.
Zak chuckled and patted his chest. "My wife used to do the same to me. It's her way of telling you that you're close to the fire, but you're not yet welcomed to reach out and warm yourself by it."
Demetri smirked and shook his head. "That obvious, hm?"
"Only to a man who's been through it as well." Zak leaned forward and tapped the table. "Are you hoping that Marcus will join you here in Chicago or would you allow him to stay in New Orleans?"
"Here." Demetri shifted his attention back to Marcus. "We're very tight-knit as I mentioned moments before. We run everything from here. We raise our families together, eat dinner together and run the underbelly of half the United States from this hub. We're looking for another capo, not a lackey. That's what I'm offering you."
"And the few things you wanted to get out of the way?" Marcus lifted his eyebrow.
"We're old school syndicate. We have a power structure, and much like the mobs in the early twenties, we play by those rules exclusively. We have people working for us in every possible outlet here in the city, helping to cover our activities and being paid handsomely to do so. You would have to be willing to leave your home, your friends and your family. If you come here, only you come."
"And if I'm married?" Marcus asked as the image of Kate on her knees taking him so tenderly the night before pumped through him.
"You're not." Demetri smirked. "The girl isn't welcomed. She's not the type of woman who would do well here. I promise."
Zak reached out and touched Marcus's chest. "That might be up for discussion. He's been with the same woman most of his life. If she's out, then I'm pretty sure he-"
"Fine." Marcus removed Zak's hand from him. "She needs a better life anyway. Tell me about the drug ring. Who would be in charge of it with me? Who would train me?"
"You alone would be in charge of it, and I would train you. If there are any places where I am lacking, then Marco, Joe's son, will step in. He's brilliant, but a loose cannon." Demetri tapped the table and glanced back up as Izabella walked in.
"You dogging my family again?" She sat down and offered a bowl of warm bread to Marcus. "Call me Izzy."
"Right." He took it and grabbed a piece of bread before handing it to Zak. "When are we talking about, Demetri? I can't leave my girl to deal with Billy. He's too much. He's fucking sick, and has a hard-on for her as it is."
"In a week's time. No longer." Demetri picked up his menu. "As I said, you get Billy to a contained location and call. I'll send Izabella down to take care of him, and no one will ever know where the shot came from."
"You're that good?" Marcus glanced over at the dark-haired beauty as his cock twitched in his slacks. She was breathtaking, something to behold for sure.
Her gaze darkened. "The best."
"And where does Zak fit into this? I want him with me. He's a good man, and has lots of contacts in Russia." Marcus glanced over at Zak and ignored the desire to mentally strip Izzy down and bend her over the table.
Bitch was a little full of herself.
"He's welcomed to join you, but that would be your call entirely. We keep to our areas of specialty when possible, but as part of the Castaletta family, you might be called on to step in and assist in some other areas. You'd have to agree to that as well before joining us."
"I'm good with that. All of it." Marcus wiped his hands on the napkin in front of him. "I'd like to meet Mr. Castaletta, seeing that joining the family would ultimately be answering to him. I'm good with you thus far, but I'm not working for a man that I can't respect."
"Excellent. I'll arrange something for tomorrow morning. Breakfast at his place." Demetri motioned for the waitress to join them. "Let's talk money, rules of the house and punishment for leaking a word of any of this to anyone."
"Let's
do." Marcus picked up his menu, glancing up once more to find the beautiful woman still watching him. He licked his lips subtly and enjoyed the tight smile that lifted her mouth. She might belong to Demetri, but if they weren't in a committed relationship, then she was free for at least a little bit of fun.
A warning rushed through him, and where it should have stopped him in his tracks with his actions, it seemed to only make him desire the challenge of surviving all of it more.
It was time to move on. It was best for everyone.
It had to be… the machine was already in motion.
Chapter 14
Jon
Kate left early the next morning after a long night of snuggling up and talking things through. She seemed to be more relaxed by the time Jon got her out of a hot bubble bath and tucked her beside him. The hope for making love to her died as she fell asleep next to him. He didn't need it to connect them together that night as he had the other nights they'd spent together. Something had changed inside of her, and he prayed like hell she would stay committed to a future with him. Letting go of Marcus wasn't going to be easy, and the beautiful vixen hadn't agreed to anything, but he could feel her desire to.
After changing into a polo shirt and jeans, Jon pulled on his leather jacket and his helmet and headed for the police station. He'd spoken to Mike a little the day before about being reinstated, and was rather put off by the fact that the asshole hadn't ever turned in the original resignation paperwork. He figured he could lure Jon back on the force.
"And he did," Jon muttered as he parked behind the station and locked his bike up. He didn't have many friends on the force simply because of his desire to keep his past hidden. It would seem that every time he got close to someone, the past would inevitably come up. Lying wasn't his style in the slightest, so keeping a comfortable distance from people was key.
Karen glanced up from her computer as he walked in the front door.
"Wow. Look who it is. How was that three-week vacation to the Bahamas?" She stood up and bit her lip like a schoolgirl watching her favorite crush.
"Vacation? No, not me." Jon stopped at the front counter and pressed his hands against the frame of the window. "Mike said to get my ass back in here. How's everything been going?"
"Same old shit. Violence, mayhem and death. Just another day in the office." She smirked, and Jon couldn't help but chuckle. The woman was too much most days, and yet she never failed to have everyone in the office cutting up.
"How's my partner doing?" He lifted his eyebrow.
"Good. He's been working his way up the chain like you used to. Chasing every lead, kissing every ass." She chuckled.
"All right. Keep it up, Karen, and no more roses for you on Valentine’s." He shrugged. "Guess I'll have to find another leading lady."
"No. Heavens no." She dropped down in her chair and leaned back. "Glad you're back, Jon. We missed you, and when I say we... I mean me."
Jon chuckled again. "Crazy thing."
He turned and walked to the back, letting his eyes scan the busy hallway in front of him for Clay. Something about the kid left him a little edgy, but maybe it was for the reasons Karen had mentioned. The guy was hungry for success, and almost reminded Jon too much of himself. Maybe he should work at giving him a break.
"Oh wow. Peterson, they let you out of the mental hospital?" Grabousky stood up from his desk as Jon walked into the large room of desks scattered about.
"Yep. I seduced your momma, and she gave me the keys to my freedom." Jon winked at him before stopping by Clay's desk.
The kid glanced up with a weary smile on his face. He looked like he'd aged ten years in the last few weeks.
"Oh, hey, Jon. What's up?" He sat back and ran his fingers through his messy red hair.
"Just checking in with you before I find a quiet office to start working on a case file. You hanging in there?" Jon couldn't shake the fact that something wasn't quite right with the kid, but just like everyone did, the boy deserved a chance to prove himself.
"Yeah. Just been working double shifts to try and help out." Clay let out a yawn before almost falling backward out of his chair.
Jon reached out and caught the side of the chair before the kid ate it. The phone next to him buzzed, a message from “BT” popping up.
Plantation Home. Now, bitch.
Jon adverted his eyes from the phone and smiled. "You all right? You need to take a day off. I'll cover your shifts for you if you need me to."
"No, I'm good." Clay snatched up his phone, grabbed his coat and let out another yawn. "I'll be sleeping in my car down the street if anyone needs me. It’s my lovely lunchtime ritual."
"All right. We'll chat when you get back." Jon sat down on the edge of Clay's desk and watched the boy walk through a group of cops, no one saying a word to him. It was like he wasn't even there.
"Something is off with that kid, Jon." Grabousky stopped beside the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. "He's here most days of the week, rarely takes a break, and I swear to God, he's fucking watching us like a hawk."
"You're being paranoid." Jon got up and pulled his phone from his pocket, checking it for texts before walking toward the hallway. "But, let's see what he's up to anyway."
"Yeah, please do," Grabousky called after him. "Where's the pretty piece you keep getting tangled up with?"
"In my bed back at home. Too tired to move." Jon chuckled, knowing he was wrong for being a dick around the guys, but loving to do it all the same. He stopped by Karen's desk and tapped her on the shoulder.
She jumped and let out a yelp before pulling out her ear buds and popped him in the stomach. "You ass. You scared me half to death. No one comes back here."
"I know, but I need to borrow your car."
"What? Where is your motorbike?"
"It's out there, but I want to follow someone. Come on. Give me the keys."
"For a kiss on the cheek." She lifted her eyebrow.
Jon rolled his eyes, leaned down and kissed her cheek twice. "The keys."
"Anything for you, Johnny." She popped his stomach again and let out a girly sigh. "When that girl lets you go, come find me. Yes?"
"You know we're going to get married one day, Karen." He jogged toward the exit, hoping that he hadn't already lost the chance to keep up with Clay.
"You and her?" Karen called after him.
"No, silly. Me and you." He stopped at the door and chuckled as her cheeks turned pink. She was too much, and yet he was grateful for the routine of getting back to the office and still finding everyone as they were when he left. It was comforting, and needed.
He jogged around the side of the building in time to see Clay pulling out on the busy side street. The guy didn't get into the road good before traffic stopped.
"Yes…" Jon muttered and ran to Karen's old beat-up Ford. He got in and pulled out, punching the gas and slowing a little as he approached the traffic that Clay was stuck in. The kid was driving a bright blue truck, which would help Jon keep an eye on him if nothing else.
"Why am I doing this?" He growled and pulled out, thanking the guy behind him. "Because Mike said there was a rat on the force, and the last time you didn't follow your gut, you ended up drugged and tied to a fucking chair in a warehouse."
Seth's deceit raced across him, and he couldn't help but feel a splurge of anger. They'd been friends for five years and worked side by side on the force from training school on up. There wasn't much they hadn't shared or talked about. Was it all a lie?
That Seth would not only put Adam in a position to get gunned down, but that he would steal his body from the morgue was almost too much to think through. Jon's stomach turned, and he forced himself away from thinking about it too much more.
He wasn't close to Clay. If the kid was the rat, then he would find proof, turn it over to Mike and move out of the way. He didn't owe the guy anything.
*
Thirty minutes later, Jon let out a sigh of relief and parked the car behind
a large group of trees past the rundown plantation house Clay had parked at.
After checking his gun and texting Mike to let him know what he was up to, he turned on his tracker so that Karen would know where he was at all times. He tucked the phone in his back pocket and jogged through the heavy underbrush. The early afternoon sun was working hard to warm the world around it, but a chill sat in the air that wasn't going to easily be destroyed.
Jon rounded an old warehouse and took his chances to jog from tree to tree until he was just beside the house. The front door opened as Clay let out a yelp.
"Stop being so damn rough. I'm not like you guys, Reni. Shit."
Jon stiffened. The idea of barreling out and taking out Billy's right-hand man was appealing. Reni and Jon went a long way back, Benton having brought them both up to be his second in command. Jon was just a little stronger, a lot smoother, and far more deadly. Jon pulled out his phone and lifted it, taping the interaction before him as best he could.
"Gotcha," he whispered, not quite sure he felt good about having nabbed the rat on the force seeing that it was once again his partner.
"Shut up, kid. You're lucky Billy ain't here. He's sick of your shit. You're supposed to be working on getting the captain to believe Kate's involved in these murders. Do your fucking job or I'm going to show up in your bedroom one night and slit your goddamn throat. Got it?"
"I'm telling mom that you keep threatening to kill me. Asshole." Clay's tone didn't even hint at fear, which was odd. He had to be related somehow.
"Tell her. She ain't gonna do nothing. She's as scared as you are of me." Reni laughed, which turned into a long, nasty coughing session.
"Yeah, well fuck you, too." Clay glanced around as Jon ducked back behind the tree in front of him. "I'll do my part, just keep the cop off my ass."
"His days are limited, Clay. Do your job and stop being a pussy." Reni turned and walked back to the house as Clay jogged to his truck just beside the road.