Page 21 of Revenge & Ruin

Someone actually laughs at this, followed by something that sounds suspiciously like “fucking finally”.

“Third, Oswald, I need you to contact demolition. I want the Electrixgone in a fortnight. The Candelabrawill act as the official front for the Guild as of today.”

The shadiest club this side of the East River was a perpetual thorn in the Guild’s side. It was our biggest moneymaker by a long stretch, but also a cesspool of leaks and under-the-table business that we had never been able to control.

As far as I’m aware, none of the inner circle use it as a base of operations, choosing instead to conduct their business in the esteemed music lounge, the Candelabra.

The Electrixis just a liability. A few drunk grunts give away secrets they shouldn’t know, and our enemies get the upper hand. It’s happened more times than any of us would care to admit.

“That’s all well and good, Teo. But where is our capital coming from?”

I look over at Marco. “What’s the status of the property Rocco purchased?”

“He signed the paperwork before he left. Still under construction, but the architect has finished the legwork,” Marco replies dutifully. “A new club could be completed before the end of the year.”

“Scrap the club. We’re building a casino.”

You could hear a pin drop in the aftermath of my statement.

“Boss, the Prince’s Hand?—”

“Are no longer allies of the Guild,” I declare. “For too long, they have monopolized the market, and we have enough real estate in Brooklyn to be a serious competitor.”

“You’re going to antagonize them,” Dante comments. It’s more of a gleeful observation than a warning of any kind.

I smirk back. “I want Ida Natali’s head on a pike.”

“She hasn’t been seen since her husband’s funeral,” someone points out, head buried in their laptop. “Our last contact with the Prince’s Hand was a few months ago. We let Leon Natali, the new don, use our docks for something he was importing.”

“Any idea what?”

They shake their heads.

I think about this a moment. “I want someone tracking Leon Natali’s location at all times. Eventually, he’ll slip up and lead us to Ida.”

“What about Isabella?” Dante asks innocently.

I glare at him, daring him to say something else. He just waggles his eyebrows.

There are more than a few questioning looks between us when I stand up.

“Leave Isabella Natali to me.”

6

ISABELLA

If the doors of the Harlem Prince’s Hand Casino could shatter from ruthless entry, the glass would be all over the lobby floor. But my dramatic entrance is somewhat marred by the soft close feature.

Nonetheless, the few who are around to see me arrive stare openly, jaws dropping as I march right up to the reception counter.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact I’m still wearing my dress from the night before. Or that the skirt is split straight up my leg from where I ripped it falling down the side of the Plaza Hotel.Or that I look like I’m about to murder someone.

“Where is he?” I snap at Simon.

He immediately puts the phone down, shock causing his hands to fumble. “Isabella!”

I don’t have time for this.

---