Page 33 of Pure Vengeance

He arches a brow. “You’re reaching. Besides, if it was your dealer that was cheating, I don’t see how you can involve me.”

“Michael wasn’t cheating,” Claire insists.

He stares at her a long moment. “Either way, I had nothing to do with it. Unlike your fiancée here, I try not to meddle too much in other people’s businesses.”

I search his features. He has me, and he knows it.

“The license will be approved within the week.” I give my word.

“And your brother?”

“He’ll get out of the way on the construction jobs,” I agree. He’s not going to like it. Causing trouble is his favorite part of the day.

“Salvatore doesn’t work for me anymore, we had to… let him go.” He eyes Claire again. “He had sticky fingers in my business as well.”

I nod with understanding.

“You got rid of him?” Claire steps forward. “Like, he’s dead?”

“Claire,” I warn.

“But, this dealer you mentioned. This was a year ago?”

“Yes. Thirteen months ago,” Claire presses.

He thinks a long moment.

“I don’t think Salvatore had anything to do with his death.” He gestures toward me. “When did you say he got caught at your casino?”

“Beginning of April, last year,” I inform him.

“And your brother was killed a month later?”

“Yes. May sixteenth.” Claire’s tone hardens. I step closer to her, so she knows I’m right with her. She’s not alone here.

“It was brought to my attention at the beginning of May, I remember because it was my niece’s first birthday and I had to leave her party early to deal with the bastard.” He shakes his head with a heavy sigh. “If your brother was killed after that, he had nothing to do with it.”

“And you had no knowledge of Salvatore’s dealings with anything outside your own people?” I question.

He scowls. “Not that I’m aware of, and we got a good deal of confessions from him before we let him go. None of them had anything to do with you or your family.” He stops a moment. “Though, I can’t guarantee there wasn’t something he didn’t say.”

I nod. A man in pain, a man knowing he was about to die, wouldn’t be to compelled to admit to all his sins. Especially ones that would hurt his case for mercy. And going against Fanelli, working outside of his say would have hurt Salvatore’s chances for a quicker death.

“Understood.” I slide my hands into my pockets. “Like I said, the licensing will go through by the end of the week.”

“Good.” He turns, but pauses to address Claire. “I hope you find whoever is responsible. Revenge does well for a grieving heart.”

“Thank you,” she says.

Joseph files out of the room with his men and Claire begins her pacing again.

“We’re no closer now than before.” She moves to the window, pushing the curtains to the side. The sunlight hits her face and she winces, dropping them back into place.

“Your brother told you he was meeting Mr. DeMarci to get his job back.” Darkness descends over me ask puzzle pieces move into place.

“Yeah, but you said you never met Michael. You don’t deal with personnel at the casino.”

I set my jaw.

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