Morally Corrupt: A Dark Romance (Morally Questionable Book 1)

by Veronica Lancet

  "Almost thirty-two hours now."

  "You're kidding me." I stare at him, but he just shrugs.

  "It's gotta be the sedative. The coke must be out of your system by now, though, so that's good. Although..." He pauses to think. "I'm not letting you out of sight for another couple of days."

  I slowly nod. I remember pieces of my embarrassing outburst, and I cringe.

  "I'm sorry about before." Vlad waves his hand as if it's nothing.

  "It's not as if I expected you to be a model patient. Your husband visited by the way."

  "Theo?" My eyes widen. "You're serious?" He pulls the chair from the desk next to my bed and positions himself in front of me.

  "Why? How?"

  "I called him."

  "And he came?"

  "Uhum. He was quite worried about you. Maybe not all is lost..."

  "Not all is lost... you mean..."

  "I'll help you. I'll help you win that husband of yours back. But I need a favor for that."

  "Anything." I readily agree, and he nods.

  "Good. I will exact a promise from you," I frown at his request, shaking my head.

  "What promise?" I ask, trying to see why he'd go to such an extent.

  "You'll know when the moment comes" His head turns toward the window. "Do I have your word?"

  "Of course," I say, maybe too fast. Who knows what Vlad will ask me. But at this point, I'd be willing to give him anything.

  "Great!" His face immediately changes to accommodate a smile. "Now, on to more serious concerns."

  I drag myself in a sitting position. While my mind is no longer as clouded as before, I can't say I'm in top shape. I'm also in dire need of a shower. But if Vlad says it's serious... chances are it's serious.

  He takes out his phone and plays a recording. I listen attentively and ask.

  "Is that...?"

  "Yes. It's your arms dealer."

  "Not my arms dealer." I have to correct it with a scowl.

  "You were the one who almost fell into a trap. You don't get a say."

  "I could have handled myself."

  "I have no doubt, you would have also attracted unwanted attention to yourself." I don't reply, knowing he is right.

  "Ok, so my arms dealer."

  "As you see, I managed to get some information out of him. He was looking specifically for Artemis."

  "Yeah, to get to you and what was that... Chimera? Who's that?"

  "That's what I am most concerned about. Chimera was my previous partner."

  "I didn't know you had another partner before me."

  "It's not common knowledge. Chimera just disappeared one day. "

  "So, why would they want you or Chimera? From what I understand from that confession, I was just the means to an end."

  "That's my question as well." He shuffles some files and gives me a dossier full of pictures.

  "What's this?" I ask, and he just nods for me to open it. When I do, I immediately frown. I turn page after page, and I am greeted by massacre after massacre, one worse than the other. One, in particular, is almost something unlike anything I'd ever seen. A torso riddled with small, clean-cut holes is propped on a chair in a dark room. The ribs look to have been removed beforehand. And the holes? They look meticulous, hand-carved ones. Instead of arms, human legs had been sown at the torso's sockets, making it a monstrous amalgamation. And instead of toes, human fingers had been added. It's a massacre, but it's also a work of art.

  "That is Chimera." Vlad points at the pictures in my hands. "He wasn't just an assassin. He was the boogie man. His job wasn't just to kill but to send a message. Look at the next page."

  I do, and I notice teeth—human teeth arranged in the form of a C.

  "That's his mark."

  "Shit," I whisper. Even to my eyes, which have seen countless sick shit... this is something different.

  "You were partnered with this?" Vlad purses his lips.

  "Things were different back then. But the issue is that Chimera disappeared over ten years ago."

  "Before I became your partner," I say, and he nods. "And why would anyone be looking for Chimera now?"

  "That was my question, as well. It's clear that whoever is looking for Chimera has some insider information; otherwise, they wouldn't tie Chimera to Berserker or Artemis."

  "Do you think it's someone out for revenge? You said Chimera was used to send messages. That means that the people who got the messages were left alive. At least I'm assuming."

  "Not necessarily. But I did think of that as well."

  "And?"

  "It gets worse." He takes another file, and I see CONFIDENTIAL written on it. I open it to see a report from what looks to be the FBI. It details a few gruesome murders in the Tri-state area. I'm about to ask Vlad what I'm looking at when I turn the page, and I suddenly understand.

  Teeth.

  The mark of the Chimera.

  "Look at the date." There are a total of four murders, stretching from two years ago to last month. My eyes snap back to Vlad's.

  "I kept thinking about it. It couldn't be coincidental that they were looking into Chimera after so much time. I asked some questions here and there, and my sources came back with this."

  "So, Chimera is back?"

  "No. Chimera is not back. That." He points at the FBI file and then at the previous folder. "is not Chimera. It's a copycat."

  "How do you know? Maybe Chimera suddenly decided to make a reappearance."

  Vlad lifts his eyebrow. "I know Chimera. He's out of commission."

  I frown. This doesn't make sense at all.

  "But who would know about Chimera's work after all this time?"

  "That is my question, as well. But I wanted you to know the details too. Chances are, if they tried once, they would keep on trying to get to you. Better be on guard at all times."

  "Can't you get in touch with the real Chimera?"

  "No. At least not yet. Chimera is..." Vlad shakes his head. "He isn't like us, not really."

  "Like us?"

  "He felt. Too deeply, one might say. In our line of work, no one is truly sane. To do what Chimera did, however..." He trails off.

  "You'd have to be really deranged."

  "Exactly. And Chimera's feelings were his downfall. He went off the rails." Vlad shakes his head. "I really don't know what would happen if I brought any of this up."

  "Do you need my help?"

  "For now, no. I just need you to be on guard. You already have too much on your plate."

  "Tell me about it," I mumble and Vlad takes the files away from me.

  "Which brings me to my second point. The Italians."

  "So you heard? How am I not surprised." I roll my eyes.

  "What can I say, I have ears everywhere. Your father is an idiot if you ask me."

  "Tell me something new..."

  "There's gonna be a war soon. How's that for new?"

  "What?"

  "Did they tell you why the partnership with the Irish? It's not really their style."

  "Not in detail. Why?"

  "Because Enzo is trying to eliminate the other families. He wants to be Capo Dei Capi. But he needs support. Influence. Soldiers. You really think they didn't come to me first?"

  "Of course they would. Why didn't you agree?"

  "You know I find human trafficking distasteful." Vlad makes a disgusted face. "But more than that, their main enemy is the Lastra family."

  "Lastra..." I repeat, trying to remember where I'd heard the name.

  "They own Upper Manhattan."

  "Wait!" I put my hand up, realizing where I know the name from. "Why are they, enemies? Didn't one of Agosti's daughters marry into the Lastra family?" I knew this because, after the unsettling lunch at my father's, I'd done some research on the Agostis.

  "You are correct. But she's dead. And coincidentally or not, they blame her husband, the Lastra Capo, for it."

  "Are they right? Did he do it?"

  "No. I don't think so. I
'd even go as far as to say that Enzo could have had her killed just to have a reason for conflict."

  "Damn, I thought Italians drew the line at family."

  "They do when they're male." Vlad curls his lip at the notion. "If they're female, they're either marriageable or unmarriageable, whereby they live out their lives in a convent."

  "You're joking."

  "No. They are strictly used as currency. That's why I think Romina might have outlived her purpose."

  "I did not realize Enzo was so ruthless. Smart? Yeah. But not heartless."

  "The thing with Enzo is that you can never get a good read on him. He's just that smart."

  "Is that why you didn't agree to help them? Because you don't trust him?"

  "That is part of the reason. Also, I'm honor-bound to the Lastra Capo."

  "So, you'll take their side in the war?"

  "I haven't decided yet. I can pay my dues by simply not aiding the other side."

  "Yeah, well... both me and Theo are currently stuck on their side. The old man kept some evidence on me that's currently keeping me out of jail."

  "Bianca, Bianca..." Vlad tsks at me in disapproval. He's always criticized me for being careless. "Do you think your husband will keep playing along now?"

  "Honestly? I don't know. I wouldn't even hold it against him if he didn't," I add uncertainly.

  "Good thing you have me," Vlad smirks. "I have a plan that might just solve most of your problems."

  "Really?"

  "Let's see..."

  He starts and outlines what could, in fact, solve all my problems.

  CHAPTER XXIX

  "I hear you, Marcel. But I still don't see how this is going to play out." I say into my Bluetooth headset as I steer my car towards the parking lot.

  "Trust me. Enzo definitely has something up his sleeve." I sigh and thread my fingers through my hair.

  "Fine. I'll update you!" I say and disconnect the call.

  I get out of my car and head towards Enzo's office. They weren't kidding when they were talking about their restaurants. This one is a high-end one on Madison Avenue. I'd heard of it before, but I'd never connected it to the mob before. I guess that goes to show just how embedded in society they are. The usher greets me, and I tell him who I'm supposed to meet. After confirming my ID, he shows me to the back elevator, punching some code, which takes me to the building's third floor.

  As I step out of the elevator, I am met with an open plan apartment, of which the kitchen seems to take a significant portion. Enzo is right in the middle of that kitchen, full gear on. He removes a tray from the industrial oven, and the smell wafts towards me.

  It smells... intriguing.

  "Hastings," He says in that Italian accent of his. He puts the tray on the table for cooling and frees his hands. He quickly checks his watch and his mouth curls up, noting. "You're early."

  "Did I disturb your baking party?" I add dryly, but he just shrugs, taking off his apron and motioning me to the sofas.

  "If you'd have been on time, the cake would have had time to cool down. Now you'll just have to wait."

  "I didn't take you for the baking sort."

  "My wife loved baking. Now it just allows me to relax." He says nonchalantly. "But alas, let us get back to business. I trust you received the file I sent you?"

  "Indeed."

  "Do you have any questions? I thought it was pretty straightforward. Those are our current locations, but shortly we will have a few more places opening. Of course, I shall update you. All in due time, however."

  "That's not exactly what I wanted to talk to you. I've already flagged those locations as per our agreement. There is something that bothers me."

  "Go ahead." Enzo takes a pack of cigarettes from the table and lights one, crossing his legs and regaling me with his undivided attention.

  "I'm not entirely sure how much you've heard about the recent disturbances." I start carefully. I don't want to rush into the meat of the issue lest Enzo suspects I have a personal stake in this.

  "How recent are we talking?" He drags deeply from the cigarette and releases a cloud of smoke.

  "It's been a couple of months now. The reports have been trickling in."

  "Let's say I have an idea of what you're talking about."

  "There's been an increase in street disturbances. Word is that a new gang is in town." I continue.

  "But it's not." He states, and I nod.

  "Yes, it's a cartel we've been watching for a while now. They're trying to set base in New York."

  "You're pretty well informed, Chief." Enzo takes another drag and heads to the small liquor cabinet next to the window. He turns to me with a question, but I shake my head.

  "I'm driving." I simply say. He pours himself a drink and settles back on the sofa.

  "I've been informed of this new cartel trying to get into our territory. It's interesting to see you know too." He smiles slowly but continues. "So, what is your issue?"

  "Your part of the bargain is to help keep crime low. These people are only driving it up." I keep my voice steady, hoping he won't ask more questions.

  "So it is. Let's do this. Tell me what you know, and I will tell you what I know. Tit for that, very simple." He makes it sound simple, but somehow I doubt this is an equal exchange.

  "My sources tell me these people are part of the Ortega cartel. We don't know much, because their people don't talk. We do, however, know that they are mainly involved in sex trafficking."

  "I see." Enzo regards me for a second before giving his own side. "Ortega isn't your problem. Jimenez is. I've noticed changes in the market since he's started encroaching in the area. But no one can actually vouch for the man. He's never been seen in person. He's more like a myth if you will." Oh, how I know. I've been chasing this myth for twenty years. Few have reported seeing or interacting with him, with most of them probably lying through their teeth.

  "How do you deal with a myth then?"

  Enzo's mouth spreads into a wide smile. "You're lucky, Hastings. Your enemy seems to be my enemy, as well."

  "Really?" I drawl, realizing how well Marcel had predicted this.

  "Let's just say we are competing in the same market."

  "Then I gather you've already thought how to deal with him?"

  "Of course. Jimenez is a dangerous enemy because he doesn't show himself. He only works through intermediaries."

  "So, you plan to make him show himself?"

  "Exactly. My wife's birthday is in two days. We've been planning a bash for a while now, thinking to lure Jimenez into a cordial partnership." He looks me up and down critically. "You should join us and bring that lovely wife of yours with you."

  "That's a very impromptu invite. But thank you nonetheless."

  "What can I say. Law enforcement isn't very high up on my list for a pleasant company. But I shall make an exception for you. We are to be partners, no?"

  "Of course. We'll make sure to be there."

  "I'll have the invitations sent to your office."

  We quickly wrap up when Enzo receives a phone call that he is needed at one of his locations, but not before he packs me half of the cherry tart he baked.

  I get in my car and head to Marcel's office at the D.A.'s. When he sees me come in with the cake, he raises his eyebrow in amusement, and I shrug.

  "Who knew Enzo was a baking enthusiast."

  "That’s funny." He says, but he takes the tart from me and proceeds to cut it in pieces. "It's actually delicious." He praises it, his mouth full. I take a small amount as well, and I have to agree. It's not bad at all.

  "Sweets aside, what did you manage?" Marcel reclines in his seat, and I make myself comfortable across from him.

  "He's after Jimenez as well. It seems he's been planning for a while to get close to him."

  "I assumed as much. There is no way Enzo wouldn't know what happens in his own territory and if there is anyone that threatens his business. Most probably, there's been some sort of communicat
ions between him and Jimenez."

  "You think? With how elusive Jimenez is?"

  "Definitely. The Agostis are very well connected." Marcel remarks.

  "Then it would make sense why he thinks Jimenez would make an appearance at his wife's birthday party," I say, musing. When Enzo had casually mentioned Jimenez coming to the party, I hadn't really taken it too seriously.

  "Did he say so?"

  "Yeah, he belatedly invited Bianca and me as well. It's in two days."

  "Shit!" Marcel curses under his breath, and I have to agree. The situation is not optimal. I might actually need to bring Bianca with me.

  "Do you think she will agree to come?" He finally asks.

  "I don't know. Last I saw her, she looked pretty rough." I'd tried my damned best to get the image of her looking half-dead in that bed. I'd had to keep myself from checking up on her again. Although, with recent developments, it looks like I might have to do just that.

  "Does she know why you've been after Jimenez for so long?" I shake my head.

  "I don't think she knows the particulars, only that it's personal."

  "We should still try to get her on board. It would look too suspicious if you showed up without her."

  "I know, I thought about that as well." I sigh out loud before saying. "I'll reach out to Vlad tonight, maybe see her tomorrow."

  "Good. I have to say I was astonished when you told me about Bianca's relationship with Vlad."

  "He assured me it's always been strictly platonic." I feel compelled to add, and I see Marcel fighting a smile.

  "And that was the most important thing for you, wasn't it?"

  "Of course," I answer too readily and catch myself. "Shit..." I start laughing. "This situation has been messing with my brain."

  "You're not a saint yourself, Adrian." Marcel arches an eyebrow at me. "Maybe cut her some slack." Marcel had been the first to call me out on some irregularities in my background and the only person to know my true identity. What began as a slight rivalry soon grew into an unexpected friendship.

  "I don't think her killing people bothers me as much as her manipulating me. From what she's told me, her first kill was definitely warranted. The others? I don't know. Vlad assures me they weren't innocent. But she lied to me. She put on an act. I don't even know the real her, and that's the main problem."