Page 72 of Bad for You

“This someone has inside knowledge of my business, and we both know Rocco and Ramond are too stupid to pull anything this complex off, so that only leaves you.”

“You’re fucking serious?” Glenn says, his utter shock apparent.

I watch for any cues that he’s lying.

“Why would I do that?”

“Why does any man betray another? Wealth? Power? Ego? There are endless possibilities. What I do know is my product is being sold over the valley. That’s your neighborhood, correct?”

Glenn nods while I’m hit with the truth.

Glenn isn’t the one stealing from Aldo.

But Aldo’s daughter is.

That’s where I first saw her, sneaking out of that crack house where Lewis supposedly is. She knew the valley streets well. Itwasn’t her first rodeo because she’s undercutting her father and profiting from his stuff.

But why?

I’m sure it’s not to make a little extra pocket money.

My stomach drops because whatever the reason, I will be the decider of either her or Glenn’s fate.

“Yes, but I—”

“Shh.” Aldo cuts him off, not interested in excuses. “What do you think, Lennon?”

Glenn beseeches I show mercy.

But how do I do that without throwing Aldo’s own daughter under the bus?

And what if I’m wrong?

“I think every man has the right to a fair trial.”

“You show him mercy when he wouldn’t do the same for you?”

“He and I are nothing alike.”

“This is true, but I cannot have a man I do not trust.”

“Please, Aldo, you know me. I wouldn’t steal from you.”

“Yet you lie to me by bringing me Baz when you knew he wasn’t involved. How can I trust you?”

Aldo was testing us all.

I passed.

Glenn failed.

“I knew if I didn’t bring someone, you’d kill me!” Glenn’s desperation shines, and I wonder if perhaps heisguilty of something.

Is he working with Aldo’s daughter? He knows if he rats her out, he’s dead either way.

“If you were merely honest, then things would have ended very differently for you.” Aldo’s composure reveals why he’s in the position he’s in.

He earned his title not through fear but rather respect.

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