Page 131 of The Tempted

“You ready to play my way Bianci?”

“What do you want to do?”

“We take a ride you and I, we do what Victor needs us to do and shut down Danny, but we do it my way. When you give Victor the report he’s waiting for, you tell him that the job was done and the Fed is no longer an issue. Capishe?”

I blew out a breath running my options through my head. Either I could tell Jack to go fuck himself and do the job myself or I could let him handle things his way and spare his brother. Everybody had a story, didn’t they? Jack’s was no less fucked up than the rest of ours. He was caught between a rock and a hard place. I had walked in his shoes, choosing between the love I had for someone and my obligation to the mob. But if I knew then what I know now, I’d choose love over everything.

“Do I have your word that your brother will close down the investigation?”

“Absolutely,” he offered confidently.

“I’m only going to say this once if this doesn’t go Vic’s way I’m not going to be responsible to what happens to your brother. You’ve got one chance to get him to see things your way, if he changes his mind or doesn’t agree to turn his cheek, he’s fair game.”

“Fair enough,” Jack countered immediately, which didn’t settle right with me but I brushed it to the side the moment he held out his hand for me to shake. “I appreciate this Bianci.” His voice catching as he said my name.

“I get it Jack, he’s your blood. I can’t say I wouldn’t be asking the same from you if it was my sister caught up in all this.”

“Yeah, well be happy your sister didn’t do anything vindictive like, become a federal fucking agent.” he grunted as he rose to his feet.

“Kid couldn’t be a fucking lawyer no, had to be a fed. I could’ve used a fucking lawyer.” He shook his head as he patted me on the back before walking past me to a large desk, pulling out the drawer. He took his gun and loaded it, tucking it into the waistband of his jeans. He pulled open the door and glanced over his shoulder at me.

“You ready to roll?”

“Let’s do this,” I said following him out of the room but after a few steps, he froze in his tracks and I lifted my head coming face to face with Jimmy Gold. “What’re you doing here?”

Jimmy smiled flashing me a glimpse of his gold teeth. “I thought I’d make myself available in case things went astray.” He looked back and forth between Jack and me. “Think of me as your insurance policy.”

Jack and I exchanged a look before I settled my gaze back on Jimmy.

“A word Jimmy,” I said roughly.

Jimmy smiled at Jack.

“He’s such a crabby bastard this one here.”

I grabbed Jimmy by the collar of his shirt and pushed him out of the compound into the dark night. He pulled my hand off him and popped his collar before turning around and piercing me with a deadly gaze.

“Who the fuck do you think you are Bianci?” he growled.

“I’m the guy who Vic sent to do a job and you’re the guy getting in the way of that.” I ground out.

“I don’t need any fucking babysitter Jimmy.”

“If you think for one minute I’m going to sit this one out and leave my life in your hands, you must’ve lost your mind while you were locked away.”

“Your life? Aren’t you being dramatic?” I rolled my eyes before he took my shirt in his fists and stared at me like a man losing control.

“That’s my fucking body the Fed’s digging up which means it’s my ass on the line.” He barked like a mad man.

“Afraid to go to prison?” I asked sarcastically before pulling his hands off me and pushing him up against the brick wall of the compound. “You’re a loose fucking cannon Jimmy that’s why they found your body in the first place. Now, Vic sent me in to do the job and that’s exactly how this shit is going to play out. Instead of giving me grief, say thank you Anthony for cleaning up my mess.”

“Fuck you.”

“Try again,” I said, shoving my forearm against his throat causing him to gasp for air. I had no mercy for this son of a bitch. If it wasn’t for his sloppy ways, I wouldn’t be torn between Jack and Victor or my conscience.

“Fine!” He choked, and I released my hold on him.

“Get the fuck out of here Jimmy and let me do my job,” I growled, taking a step backward as Jack stepped outside the compound.

“Everything okay boys?” he asked looking at me suspiciously.

“We’re all good isn’t that right Jimmy?”

“Make sure it’s fucking done and no one can trace this shit back to us.” He whispered harshly before turning around to Jack and shaking his hand.

“Good luck, fella’s”, he said, before walking towards his car. Jack and I watched as he slipped into the driver seat of his Escalade and peeled out of the parking lot.

“You still with me?” Jack asked; his eyes straight ahead on Jimmy’s tail.

“A hundred percent, brother.” I replied, patting him on the back. “Let’s go meet this brother of yours.”

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