Page 40 of Sexting the Don

“Garadino. Got word he’s planning some big moves; decapitation strikes against me and some of the other family heads.”

Sean nods. “So, he wants to create a power vacuum and fill it himself.”

“What have you been hearing around town from the Garadinos?”

“Nothing at all. Been waiting for some news to report, but there’s not been a damn thing.” His eyes flash with realization, and he shakes his head. “Fucking hell.”

“Speak. What’s on your mind?”

“Garadino’s business has beentoonormal and calm, like he’s going out of his way to avoid appearing like he’s up to any bullshit.”

“Makes sense. I want to double the men surveying Garadino’s operations. Anything out of the ordinary, or especially anythingnotout of the ordinary, I want to know.”

“Got it.”

“And I want a team tailing Jimmy Charles twenty-four-seven. There’s more to him than I originally thought.”

“Is that so? What’s up?”

“He’s been running his mouth about an operation he’s planning, stealing from one of our warehouses.”

Sean snorts. “Slimy little prick. Boss, you give the word, and Jimmy sees his last sunset.”

The offer’s enticing, but now’s not the time.

Besides, I’d rather do it myself.

“Not yet. He’s too valuable as a source of intel at the moment. Just keep tailing him. I want a three-man team on him at all times.”

“Got it. He won’t be able to so much as scratch his balls without us knowing about it.”

“That’s all for now. I want a steady stream of information. When you know it, I want to know it.”

Sean throws back the rest of his drink. “Understood, boss.”

With that, he stands, sets his empty glass down at the bar, and leaves.

I take a few more pensive sips of my whiskey, processing everything that’s been going on. The night when I’d heardJimmy shooting his mouth off about the warehouse I’d been with Mandy, and flashes from the evening appear in my mind’s eye.

Thoughts had taken hold during those moments, thoughts that I’ve never had about anyone before in my life.

I want her like mad, not just for sex but for keeps. I want to claim her in more ways than in bed. I want to make her mine.

But I’m overwhelmed with a sense of guilt. I feel as if I’m using her, taking advantage of her. I’ve never been the sort of man to feel this way. It would be impossible to run one of the largest crime syndicates in LA while being burdened by such sentiments.

I push the confusion aside, taking another long pull of whiskey. I’ll figure it out; I always do.

In the meantime, I’ll have my fun.

Chapter 17

Mandy

I'm vibrating with nerves as I sit in the OB/GYN's office.

Glancing around, I see other women, each accompanied by their significant others. They're chatting quietly, hands entwined, some of the men looking just as nervous as the women.

And here I am, solo, feeling more alone than ever in this sea of couples.

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