Page 28 of Merciless King

“I’ve heard a few rumors.”

“Anything definitive? Catch him in the act?”

“Maybe. Let me check with Robbie. He’s the one closest to Rinella’s area.”

“Good. Keep me posted.” I suck in a breath. “We need to keep an eye on all our businesses… legit and otherwise. I think I’ll go to the restaurant tonight.”

“You think he’ll try to hit you there?”

“I think he knows that hurting the name I’ve worked to build as a legitimate businessman will bother me more than fucking with our other business. I have a good reputation even if there are whispers of the old family business.”

“I’ll have guys at the clubs. What about the construction sites?”

“Maybe put a few more men.”

"You know, Elio," Matteo muses, "Lazaro would have known exactly how to handle this situation with the Rinellas. He was like a rabid dog. He could have married Ava or scared Rinella enough to make him back down."

“True.” My brother Lazaro had always been on the edge of crazy. It made him unpredictable, which made our enemies and our associates nervous. The memory of him is bittersweet. I miss him. God, I’d lost so much in the span of a few years. First, Piper. Then Lazaro. Next, my parents.

I scrub a hand over my face, trying to push back the tide of grief and regret. Lazaro's absence left a void emotionally, but also professionally, that no one else can fill. Many times, I've wondered how things would be different if he were here. No doubt, Rinella would be second-guessing ever crossing us. I'm left with him thinking I'm weak, and it doesn't sit well.

"I miss him too, you know," Matteo says, his gaze filled with empathy. "He was a crazy motherfucker, but God, was he good for a laugh.”

I smile. “He was.” I can’t get Lazaro back. I don’t know what happened to him, but I have no doubt he’s dead. In the past, he’d have been gunned down and we’d have a body to bury. Today’s Mafia isn’t so in-the-face with its killings. I imagine Lazaro is at the bottom of Lake Michigan or under a crop of corn somewhere in a rural part of the state.

I can’t get my parents back, either. I suppose it’s a comfort to know they died in a car accident together instead of a hit. They could be brutal SOBs, but they were my parents.

Piper, however… She’s alive and well. I’ve lost a lot, but she’s one person I can get back. At the very least, I need to make sure she’s safe.

I write down Gabriel’s name on a piece of paper and hand it to Matteo. “I want you to see what you can find out about this man.”

Matteo takes the paper, reads it, and frowns. “Is he new in Rinella’s business?”

I roll my shoulders knowing Matteo isn’t going to like this assignment with Rinella trying to burn my business down. “No. He’s Piper’s husband.”

Matteo’s eyes widened. “She’s married?”

I nod.

“Fucking hell, Elio. You blew this deal over a married woman.”

“He abuses her.” I state it like it should answer all Matteo’s questions and concerns.

“So… what? You’re going to kill him and then take her for your own?”

My jaw is tight. “She’s mine. That’s all you need to know.”

He blows out a breath. “Lana is going to?—”

“I’m the boss here!” Have I been too lenient? Weak? Is that why Rinella and now Matteo and Lana think they can disrespect me? Well, that’s going to change.

He holds his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. Do you want eyes on him?”

“I want you to find out everything you can about him.” If I’m lucky, I’ll find the skeletons in his closet and will use them to make him leave of his own accord.

“Sure thing.” He tilts his head to the side. “Can’t she just leave him and go with you?”

“It’s complicated.” But it won’t be for long. Piper and her child will be mine. I just need to figure out how.

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