“Oh my god. She really does not know. I almost feel sorry for her. Her brother is the reason she’s dying, and she doesn’t even know who he was,” said Larry.
“Sergi isn’t the man you think he is,” said Larry.
My brother has always been sneaky, even when we were younger. He always lied, stole, and never took responsibility for his actions. Mom would always take up for him so Dad would not beat him. Dad always took a tree branch to him. It never seemed to matter because he did the same thing the next day. Sergi does whatever Sergi wants to do.
“I know my brother. He is many things, but he isn’t a terrorist like you guys. You guys do anything for money.”
“We’re better than he is. Your brother was working as a Russian spy against the United States. How do you think we found him? We may kill criminals, but we never betrayed our country,” said Larry.
“People who sell drugs aren’t terrorist they are morally flawed. Hooking someone on drugs isn’t an act against a country.”
“I wonder how she’ll feel in a month’s time when she’s strung out on heroin and no longer cares about anything or anyone, except the next high,” said Greg.
I cannot remember to take a woman’s vitamin, and they were going to shoot me up with drugs. A life of drugs where you decay before people’s eyes had never appealed to me. I am too much of a control freak to allow anyone or anything to dictate my life. I would be lying if I said I am not pissed with Sergi. He made his choices in life and all of mine are being stripped away from me.
“The Russians want Sergi dead and the government wants to use Sergi for an informant. Your brother sold this country out and Russia as well. He never cared about you, or he would have thought about your safety,” said Larry.
“Sergi wouldn’t be a spy. He is a fuck up. Who would trust him with anything? Your information is wrong.”
“Our government trusted him. He has been living a lie his entire life. You did not know him. For what it’s worth, I am sorry that he didn’t care enough about your life to not be a terrorist,” said Larry.
Turning away from them, I faced the window. I do not want their words and faces to be the last thing I see. Time isn’t on my side, and I need to escape. When I get away, I’ll need money and place to lay low. There is not much a woman at the mercy of men can do to get money quick except lie on her back. I don’t intend to do that, so I need another avenue. I am in Italy with no money, no identification, no friends or family, and the cruelest mafia families are after me. What else can go wrong? My head feels like an axe is embedded in my medulla, and I am liable to have a stroke. I need one second to regroup and think.
Bam. My head hit the window. The plane was nose-diving. Grabbing the seatbelt, I swiftly buckled it around my waist. Looking around, I noticed Greg was slumped in the seat, and blood poured from his head.
What the hell was going on? Where was Larry? I had the sudden urge to urinate, but I ignored it looking around for Larry. Did the Moretti’s try to shoot us down?
All the oxygen masks fell from the ceiling. My vision blurred as the incessant beeping drew my eyes to the pilot’s cabin and the door flapping open and closed. Hopping up, I fought against the gravitational force reaching for the pilot’s door. My eyes squinted against the darkness as I looked at all the gauges going haywire. The pilot was slumped over in his seat.
“Wake up, we’re going to crash.” I shook his shoulders. His hat fell to the floor. He had been shot in the head.
Ripping his headset off his head and placing it on mine I yelled. “Help. Is there anybody there?” A gust of wind blew across my face. Bending down, I ran my hands over the glass. There was a bullet hole. Someone shot in the plane killing the pilot. I need to get out of here before we crash to the ground.
Running out the pilot’s cabin, I rushed down the aisles reaching Greg’s side. He was still unconscious. After going through his pockets, I took his cash, and his cell phone. There was a set of cabinets toward the pilot’s cabin. I searched through them looking for a parachute.
The bathroom door opened. Larry ran out with his gun drawn.
“Come with me,” said Larry. He stepped over Greg like he was a pile of shit in the grass.
“You shot Greg.” I backed away from him. He did not know that I now have cash and a phone. I held the keys to my great escape thanks to Greg. I just needed to live long enough to get off this crashing jet. Holding my hands in the air I walked over to him.
“We don’t have much time. The bureau knew there was a mole. I’m going to get you out of this, but you need to trust me,” said Larry.
“What’s the plan? Is the FBI coming to rescue us?” I did not trust Larry. For all I know, he had turned on Greg, and he’ll turn on me.
“They expect us at Fernando’s Bakery in Sicily tomorrow by noon.” He shoved the gun in its holster and ran over to the cabinets throwing everything out.
The plane dipped forward nose-diving toward the earth. I fell backward knocking my head on the metal strip.
“There’s not any parachutes on this plane. We’re dead meat unless you can fly this plane.” My heart slammed against my ribcage. My vision blurred as tears fell down my cheek.
“It’s been a long time, but they say it’s like riding a bicycle,” said Larry. He drew his gun and rushed toward the pilot’s cabin.
A warm cloth touched my face. My eyes flew open and I sat straight up in bed. The warm covers felt heavenly, and I wanted to throw them over my head, and sleep. I can sleep when I am dead. Fumbling under the covers, I felt the phone and cash in my back pocket. I need to hide them in my bra. Where the hell am I?
“What happened?” I rubbed my head.
“We’re in Sicily and safe for the moment. It will take about an hour for Salvatore to find the plane crash, and discover we’re not dead,” said Larry.
“Did you call your people, so they can get us out of here?”
“This isn’t about you or me, the bureau needs to finish this. We need the list that Sergi has, and we need Salvatore Moretti and Christian Esposito in custody,” said Larry.
This bastard is no different than Greg. I do not trust him, but what choice do I have.
“Do you have the list? How are you supposed to take down both Mafia?”
“When you get dressed, we’re going to meet Salvatore. When he has you and the list, I have a good chance of capturing them all.”
“You want to use me as bait. I don’t have this list. Your plan will get us both killed. You plan to walk in there empty-handed. I’m sure by now the mafia knows that Sergi is dead.”
‘I’m not walking in there empty-handed. I have you.”
“I don’t have the list or any way of getting it.” Is everyone working for the government stupid? He got us off the plane, but he’s still going to get us killed. He is no better than Greg. Why does he think having me will help? All that intelligence at the FBI, and he does not know that I know nothing about the list?
“No, you don’t, but Vincenzo does.”
“Vincenzo kidnapped me to kill Sergi. He does not care if you or Moretti kills me. What do you think I am his girlfriend?”
“He’ll get the list. He wants to know who killed Antonio then he’ll get the list, and hand-deliver it to us.”
“Whatever. When Vincenzo tells them, he is not coming I will not be the only one dead from this dumb plan. When they finish with me, they’ll kill you too.”
Thrusting the covers from me, I stood kneading the ache from my stiff muscles. I am wasting my time with him. I will find a way to ditch him and lay low so I can get out. I wish I had my purse and credit cards. I need to get out of Italy. A commercial flight is out the question.
There was a door in down the hall. I needed to empty my bladder and hide this phone. The hall was barren except for some sparse paintings on the wall. I walked to the bathroom. Flipping on the light in the bathroom I moved to close the door.
“I placed an outfit on the toilet. You have fifteen minute
s to wash up and get ready,” said Larry.
“What’s the rush?”
“Vincenzo called Salvatore an hour ago. He’ll be there in an hour with the list.”
I slammed the door shut. Did Vincenzo kill Sergi? How did he get the list so quick? Would Sergi love me enough to turn over the list to Vincenzo?
14
Vincenzo
Sergi was lying in his own blood and urine. He was almost unrecognizable with both eyes blackened and knife wounds over his entire body. I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that he stuck to his story or the fact that I’m tired of watching him tortured. I am not getting anywhere. Lucas is wearing more blood than Sergi has left in his body.
The government is the most corrupt entity on the planet, and they are good at hiding their shit. I need to know who killed my brother. I need irrefutable proof. What’s the point of killing someone for a crime and not knowing if you got the right man? I am logical, and I need proof.
“Do you have proof that FBI killed Antonio? Your death doesn’t have to be this painful.” I hold up my hand. Lucas pauses as he holds the plug in his hand.
“Give me the proof. Who killed Antonio? I know you are not stupid and must have it. If you hand it over, I’ll allow your death to be quick.”
“If there is proof, I don’t have it on me. It’s just one of my insurance policies,” said Sergi. He looked down at the water he sat in and spit blood out his mouth. He leaned back closing his eyes.
“Where’s the proof?” He looked like he did not have a care in the world, yet he is surrounded by water. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem, but he was hooked up to electrical wires.
“Last chance. Tell me where it is.” We are going to electrocute him until his eyes pop out his eye sockets. He has lasted longer than most men, but it does not matter. Today he draws his last breath.
“Light him up.” I leaned against the wall watching as Lucas plugged the cord in. He flipped the switch and Sergi’s body shook. A few sparks flew as the room smelled burnt. His face no longer looked carefree. Blood poured from his nose and ears. My phone rang.
“This isn’t a good time.” I held up my hand to Lucas to stop killing Sergi. I didn’t drive all the way here to miss his death. I’m a sick bastard, and I love righting betrayal.
“Too bad. I know you have Sergi, don’t kill him. I intercepted a call from Larry. He told Salvatore you were bringing him the list,” said Victor.
“What list?”
“Sergi has a list of all the U.S undercover agents everywhere. Salvatore wants the list so that he can get rid of anyone that might stand in his way,” said Victor.
“Too late. Sergi’s already dead, and I am not giving him the list. That is a goldmine I would keep for myself.”
I placed the call on speaker. Sergi needed to know that I would take this stupid list and do whatever the hell I wanted to do with it.
“Larry has Tatianna. If Salvatore doesn’t get the list she and Larry will be tortured to death,” said Victor.
Damn. If it was not for Victor being my eyes and ears in there, I wouldn’t know what is going on. Salvatore was a greedy bastard, and he does not take disappointment well.
“Jimmy is alive, but he’s not of value to Salvatore,” said Victor.
“I value him. He has got a date with my blade. That maggot dared to betray me. He had better pray that they find him before I do.”
“I’m still trying to find him, but it may take some time. He knows that the rest of the families will never accept his treachery. I’m sure he’s planning something, but I don’t know what,” said Victor.
“Fine. I’ll keep Sergi alive a little bit longer, but you need to find me an acceptable solution.” I refused to let him live. I am not willing to lose her either.
“If Sergi dies, then the list dies with him. He is worth more alive than he is dead. His life is tied to national security. You can’t kill him,” said Victor.
I glanced at Sergi. He was tougher than I thought but it would not do him any good. Breaking people is what I am good at. It is all I have ever been good at. It’s times like this when precious moments pass and your life seeps from your body, that you see everything you’ve been blinded to.
“Sergi doesn’t care that his sister’s going to die for him. He won’t give him the list.”
“You are no better than he is. I won’t give him the list or you,” said Sergi. He smiled.
“See. He will not save his sister. He has no values.”
I did not expect him to give me the list, but I did expect him to want to do something. He loves his sister, but not more than he loves himself. Sergi is like a chameleon, and I just don’t have time to figure him out.
“I have to go. There is more. Jimmy was spotted heading toward Leo’s Juke Joint. I will make sure the cameras go down in thirty minutes. You have an hour window,” said Victor.
“Got it.” Hanging up, I fired off a rapid text to Luigi. Passing Sergi, I rushed to the door.
“Let’s pay Luigi a visit.” I opened the door.
“I’ve got something for that fucking traitor,” said Lucas. He walked over to Sergi. He had his knife in his hands. Does he really think I want Sergi’s head cut off? He needs a slow death, not a reward.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I glance at the clock. We do not have much time. We can’t get caught on cameras leaving the streets of Miami running with blood.
“I’m not leaving him here with my girl,” said Lucas.
“Are you pussy whipped? What did she do? Backflip on your shit?” I am itching to put a bullet into Lucas. He is acting like a prepubescent lovesick teenager. He lost his wife, and I am cutting him some slack but fuck; there is only so much a man can take. Pulling my custom PX ninety subcompact with infrared from my pocket. I call it my equalizer. Pointing it at Sergi, I allow the red dot to rest on his head.
“I’m not pussy whipped,” said Lucas. He slung Sergi to his feet. He has the sharp blade to his carotid artery. Sergi laughed then grimaced as he breathed.
“If you love this woman, then you’ll leave her alone. In this business, we are not meant to have people love us. It will only end in us watching the ones we love murdered before our eyes,” said Sergi.
“Shut the fuck up,” said Lucas. He applies pressure to Sergi’s neck until he slumped over. He bent and carried him out.
I drove like a bat out of hell. Arriving at Leo’s juke Joint, we met Luigi and Emmanuel at the back door.
As much as I wanted to kill Jimmy, I needed to be smart. That bastard has betrayed me and plotted against me for the last time. He could have planted a bomb here or something since he likes to blow up people’s houses.
There are two rules in life. You never touch a man’s family or his possessions. Jimmy may have touched both, and if I could kill him twice I would. I will have to be satisfied with killing him slowly.
Luigi’s men looked like they had prepared for World War III. I am excited that they are not underestimating Jimmy. I thought he had enough brain cells not to betray me, but I was wrong.
The room was filled with smoke. Most of Luigi’s men liked to smoke Cuban cigars and the place reeked of them.
“There is no sign of Jimmy yet,” said Luigi. He raised his brow when Lucas came with an unconscious Sergi draped around his shoulders like a cape.
“Who the fuck is that?” asked Luigi. He stepped aside and we walked inside. His henchmen locked the back door and remained posted there with semi-automatics in their hands.
“He’s my prisoner until I decide to kill him.” I followed them into the conference room. Emmanuel wasn’t happy to see me. I understand, since his fiancée’s life was still in danger.
“When are we going to pay Salvatore a visit? He needs to die,” said Emmanuel.
“The punk isn’t stupid enough to show his face here where we can shoot it off,” said Luigi.
Luigi stepped around Lucas and lifted the unconscious man’s head up. “I know him.”
<
br /> My eyes narrowed at Luigi. How the hell does he know Sergi?
Luigi pulled out a cigarette and lit it. “We had some trouble with two shit heads who captured two women off our turf. The shit heads happened to work for the Zaharov Syndicate.”
I frowned. “What the hell was the Ukrainian mafia doing all the way over here human trafficking women?”
Lucas’s mouth turned down. “They know we don’t do that kind of business.”
A knot formed in my belly. The more I stand here, the more my fingers itch to blow Sergi’s brains out. What the hell has he done?
“My friend Abdul Hafiz was instrumental in me killing those two Ukrainian mobsters and recovering the females,” said Luigi.
Lucas shifted so Sergi’s head swayed. “What does that have to do with him?”
“When we went over there to get the girls, that was when I saw him. Sergi Ivanor is a very important man with Ivan Yahontov.”
Ivan Yahontov is the don of the Russian mafia. He is a sick bastard who is rumored to have multiple personalities. It makes sense that Sergi would be one of his men. He no doubt used his government connections to funnel highly classified information to Russia.
“He’s with the Russian mafia. That explains his cockiness,” said Lucas.
“Don’t kill him. He is more valuable alive right now,” said Luigi.
Emmanuel glanced at his father then turned to me. “Ivan is up to something. They are planning to expand, and they are looking here. We have a man on the inside in the Bravata. I suggest you hold on to Sergi, at least until we get all the details on their plans,” said Emmanuel.
I gritted my teeth. “Everything you’ve said makes me want to shoot him in the face.”
A part of me did not give a damn about all this other shit. This bastard was responsible for my brother’s death. If he didn’t do it personally then he definitely knows who did.
Luigi sighed. “Let’s continue this conversation while we get prepared.” He snapped his fingers and started shouting orders at his men.
Taken by Vincenzo Page 8