Page 47 of Mob Queen

I sit back in my chair and turn to stare at Rome. “I don’t know.” I cross my arms in front of my chest and shake my head. “Someone wants me gone, that much is clear. They want the DeLuca name wiped out.” Suddenly, I’m hit with the realization that whoever wants me gone, may very well want Rome dead too. I look to my phone and send G a message. Come here.

Give me a minute.

I tap my fingers on the table as I wait for G. It doesn’t take him long before he opens the door to my office and waltzes in. “What is it?” He stands by my desk and waits for instruction.

“I need you to up Rome’s security.”

“Why?” Rome asks.

“Whoever is doing this wants the DeLuca name annihilated. That includes you now.” I point to Rome before returning my attention to G. “At least three more men.”

“You’re the one who needs the extra protection, not me,” Rome says. “No one even knows I’m back.”

“Trust me when I say, everyone knows you’ve returned. The other families, FBI, CIA, every acronym knows,” I say. Rome’s upper lips twitches. “You’re a DeLuca, Rome. This is how it is. They’ll come after me first, then they’ll move onto you and G.”

“Why G?” Rome asks.

“You cut off the head of the snake, but the body is ready to strike,” G says. “Just like your father. He was gunned down, and once Frankie has all the pieces of who did it, then it’s war.” I nod my agreement. “I’ll arrange men for Rome. And for you.” G pointedly looks to me.

“I’ve got all the protection I need with you, and with these.” I open my top drawer and line up my four guns.

“You get extra security too, Frank,” Rome says. I open my mouth to argue but Rome holds his hand up. “This isn’t open for negotiation.”

“I’m with him.” G points to my brother.

Damn these overprotective men.

They both wait for my reply, but I ignore them and get back to work. G pulls his shoulders back in triumph and moves toward the door. “Find out what time the politician is due to leave work,” I instruct.

“Why?” G stops advancing toward the door and turns to look at me.

“I have some questions for him.”

“You think he’s the guy who smeared cow shit and shot up the restaurant?”

“Honestly?” I look up from my laptop. G waits. “I have no idea, but if he did, then he’ll be a dead politician.”

My gut is saying he didn’t do it, but I’ll find out either way.

For his sake, he’d better not be involved.

Chapter 16

Jeremy

“Sir, there’s been a drive by shooting,” Zac announces as he hands me a sheet of paper with the address.

“Casualties?” I take the paper and let out a sigh. How sad that the first thing I ask is how many people have been killed.

“None.” I read the report. “It appears to be gang-related. Maybe a turf war?”

I keep reading until I see the name of the business that’s been hit. “Moonlight?” I look up to Zac who confirms with a nod. I flick my hand at him, silently telling him to leave my office.

Moonlight is one of Frankie DeLuca’s businesses. Hesitantly, I reach for my phone to call her, but decide against it. There have been no deaths, which means she’s safe.

I keep reading the report and there’s no indication on who shot up Moonlight, or why. A part of me is relieved nothing happened with Frankie.

Maybe this is the wake-up call she needs to get out of the business. Who am I kidding? She was born into it, so this is probably nothing to her.

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