Page 22 of Brutal King

“It will complicate things,” I agree. “He’s becoming a nuisance.”

Fucking Luca Sinacore and the continued meddling of his family. He’s worse than Tony ever was. Having to deal with him had been one more thing added to my already long list of enemies to deal with.

Tony was the head of New York, but hadn’t been on my radar for two reasons. First, the Sinacores had nothing to do with the death of my father. Second, his rule over his territory was fairly harmless. He never veered, always stayed in his lane. Safe.

Unfortunately for Tony, and for me, he was murdered. It was a copycat killing meant to point the finger at me. Tony was found in a hotel suite, gutted. Two pennies over his eyes. My calling card used by an unworthy snake.

Luca has now made it his mission to interfere in my business, which forces me to interfere in his.

Although infiltrating his sources has been almost impossible, it’s been easy enough to figure out who has joined him in his mission against me.

Gregorio Di Persia was one of the informants that ratted out my father to Giuseppe Tadesco. His daughter, Carina, married Luca. When I got my hands on her and used her as a trade for Victor, I was able to get a good idea of who was in with Luca.

My suspicions were confirmed after Scarlet killed Francesco Gianni’s heir, Joaquin, and Noah Esposito boldly took over New Jersey. When I attempted to take him out and end that family line, he was protected by not only Luca and his right-hand, Gunner Sinclair, but by Sean Murphy’s brother, Gavin Alexander, as well.

While I didn’t see Arran Maxton there, it wouldn’t be surprising if he joined them in order to protect his father.

“Do you have any contacts at Bella Vista?” I ask Scarlet.

“Vicky is doing background checks on all the staff. Once she finds something useful, we’ll have a contact.”

Vicky is our data and tech guru. I didn’t find her, she found me. Offered up her services in exchange for mine. I took care of the rich playboy that raped her and walked free. She takes care of us now. I still pay her, of course. Killing a piece of shit like him was my pleasure, after all.

“I want this done fast,” I tell Scarlet. “If Arran gets even the slightest idea that we’ve discovered his father’s location, he’ll move Clive so deep underground, we may never find him.”

“Yes, sir.” She stands and collects her things. “It’s late. Can I crash here tonight?”

I give her an irritated glare. “Why did you come if it was late?”

“I told you. Food.”

“You can stay in the guesthouse.”

“The guesthouse?” She wrinkles her nose. “Why would I stay there when my room is—” There’s the sound of a door shutting upstairs. Scarlet turns her head, her ears acting like radar. Her hand drops to her side and hovers over the knife she keeps there. “I thought you said the staff was gone.”

Letting out a frustrated breath, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “They are. That’s someone else.”

“Who? The biter?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes widen and a wicked smile paints across her red lips. “You never invite girls over. Who is she?”

“No one.”

“She’s clearlysomeoneif you have her here.”

“Just go,” I insist. “Call me when you have a contact.”

But she doesn’t go. She walks to the doorway and stares up toward the stairs. “Who would be here?”

Though I know she’s asking herself as she tries to figure it out, I respond, “No one. Go home.”

With a resigned sigh, she rolls her eyes. “Fine. I’ll go. Or will I?” Her expression shifts from sad to absolute mischief. “Maybe I’ll just hide behind the walls like I used to and find out your secrets.”

“If I find you lurking, I’ll kill you.”

“Empty threats!” She laughs. “I’m going to lurk and there’s nothing you can do about it. You don’t know all the passageways like I do. So just tell me.”

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