Page 51 of King of the Bronx

Chapter Twenty-Two

Enzo

My leg bounced as we drove to the bar. I was barely keeping my anger in check, and my adrenaline was running high. Giovanni’s eyes flickered to me from the driver’s seat.

“Don’t say shit when we get in there. You already look like you’re ready for a fight.”

I took a deep breath, trying to get myself under control. Raven cried last night because of those assholes. It could have easily been her they’d taken. The thought of that possibility was enough to piss me off. Giovanni parked the all-black Mercedes out front before getting out. I followed behind him. It was the middle of the day, but the Irish bar was filled with smoke, and three people sat at the bar looking like they’ve been there for a while. Connor sat in a chair by himself, waiting for us. He waved at the two chairs across the table from him. He wore dark jeans and a black button-down shirt. His reddish-brown hair was pushed back away from his face, so his dark green eyes looked more prominent. He was the opposite of Niall, the previous boss of the Irish mob. While Niall had been fat with a slight drinking problem, Connor actually looked like he had his shit together.

“Take a seat,” Connor said.

Usually, Gio made some smart-ass comment when someone told him what to do, but he was trying to get them on our side.

“What brings you to our side of town? I thought everything was clear. We’ll stick to our business, you stick to yours,” Connor asked.

“Everything is working out fine for us,” Giovanni confirmed.

Connor raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

“We have a business proposition for you,” Giovanni said, cutting to the chase.

Connor leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table. “I’m listening.”

“Five hundred thousand dollars for the brothel on Moorside Path.”

Connor shifted his jaw as if thinking it over.“I like that,” he said, taking me by surprise. I thought this meeting was going to be pointless. “I’m getting bored of it anyways.”

Giovanni smirked, proud of this easy victory. “One more thing.”

Connor’s lips twisted into a smile. “You ask for a lot, Giovanni. Did you ask my father for this many favors as well? I don’t want to give you the impression that we’re on friendly terms.”

“I would never assume that. We need the girl back.”

Connor tilted his head. “What girl?”

“The girl you took from the brothel last night after shooting my man,” I said.

Giovanni glared at me.

“Enzo, right? I think you’re mistaken. My men have stayed cleared of the brothel. In fact, I was hoping you’d offer me something for it in light of your recent marriage.”

Giovanni and I shared a quick look. Connor glanced between us.

“Looks like you got another enemy on your hands. I’ll take my money in cash tonight,” Connor said.He stood up from the table. We stood as well. We shook hands with Connor before exiting.

“That can’t be true,” I blurted out as soon as we got in the car. “They have a warehouse off Fifth Street. That’s probably where they’re keeping her.”

“No.”

I turned to face Giovanni. “What do you mean ‘no’?”

“We’re not breaking into their warehouse. We solved the problem, and we’re lucky that Connor took the deal and didn’t fight us on this. I’m not causing more issues to save some girl. We’re not superheroes, Enzo.”

*****

“Did you find her?” Raven asked as soon as I walked in the door. She was dressed in one of my T-shirts and a pair of tight yoga pants. Her red hair fell past her shoulders. I rubbed a hand over my face, not wanting to tell her the bad news. I promised her I’d find her friend, and I wasn’t in the position to break promises.

“The Irish claim they don’t have her.”

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