Page 44 of Enforcer's Obsession

“Good to know, but I still have no idea what you’re talking about,” I responded.

He smiled. I stared.

“You’re going to pretend that wasn’t your handiwork? You do have quite the reputation, and those…gifts sound exactly like the sort of thing you’d do,” he said.

“What reason would I possibly have to do such a thing?” I said. “Not that I ever would.”

“There’s a rumor going around that your little club got shot up last night, so I could see sending those heads as retaliation,” he said.

“Which presumes that I have something to retaliate for,” I countered.

“Maybe you do. I don’t concern myself with your family’s affairs. Only mine,” he said.

He took another bite of his broccoli soup and then pushed the bowl away.

He was leaning back in his chair, his suit jacket and shirt hanging on his thin frame.

“You know I only look after mine, which makes the loss of those four men that much more of a problem,” he said.

“A problem for whom?” I asked.

“For me. And for you,” he said.

“What the fuck does that mean, Federico?” I didn’t yell but made it clear that my patience was running thin.

“You plead ignorance, but the bottom line is four of my men are gone. Those men were earners, and the Morettis need to compensate me for my losses,” he said.

The fucker had balls. I’d have to give him that.

I had been expecting some bullshit, but for him to outright demand payment was more brazen than I’d expected.

“You do know it’s okay to take credit for your hard work,” I said.

He laughed, looking confused. “Now it’s my turn to say I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“For some reason, Federico, I don’t believe you.”

He shrugged again, a thick shock of black and gray hair that lay against his forehead shaking.

“Well, I need compensation, and I think I have something in mind that will be fair for everyone,” he said.

“I don’t owe you anything, but I’ll indulge you. For a moment,” I responded.

“Like I said, those men were earners. What they bring in has to be replaced. I don’t know if you could spare a shooter, but I think there’s a middle ground that can satisfy us both, or at least leave us both equally unsatisfied.”

“Get to the point, Federico,” I said.

“From what I hear, you left last night with some whore you’re fucking.” Federico looked casual, nonchalant, but his eyes were gleaming with anticipation.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to ignore the way my heart sped.

“I heard, though I have no way of independently verifying it, of course, that you took somebody from the shooting atCarlo’slast night,” Federico said.

“What if I did?” I asked.

“Then give her to me. Bitches can earn too, and I have a couple of spots that could use new recruits,” he said.

My vision started to narrow with the rage that was bubbling up.

---