Page 19 of Red Retaliation
“They won’t be silent for long if they reach the conclusion that we dealt out Roberto Bristoni’s death!” Oscar whines. “We’ve never planned for this, Red. We’re going okay the way we are, so why change it?”
I move back around my side of the desk, ignoring the looks Oscar and Liam exchange.I’ve planned this for a long time, just not now...“It’s too late to change the outcome now. Releasing Arianna or not, they’ll still retaliate.”
I have to broach the issue of the rings next. What Arianna told me must be rectified and there can be no argument about that. I open mymouth to speak when there’s a knock at my office door. “Yes?”
Steve Farrow enters, red-faced and out of breath. “Sorry I’m late.” He maneuvers his bulk between the chairs. “I heard something and was checking it out.” Slapping a newspaper on the desk, he nods at page two. “It seems that what I heard is true.”
Exchanging glances with Del and my brothers, I pick up the newspaper. I’ll let Steve’s tardiness go for the time being. Plus, he’s giving me a breather about breaking the news and what needs to happen next regarding the rings.
Opening the paper, my concentration immediately homes in on the bold print of the article halfway down the page:
Renowned City Figure In Tragic Death
I suck in my breath, my brow knitting. Oh yes, they’ve done this well. They’ve pulled it off inexactlythe right way to save face. I glance up. “It’s about the Bristonis...”
Liam cranes his neck towards the paper. “What does it say?”
“It says, ‘The son and heir to the renowned and longstanding Knightsbridge jewelry empire, Roberto Bristoni, has tragically died following a fatal heart attack on the evening of 9th November’.”
“Heart attack?” Oscar scoffs. “Is that what they call it?”
My jaw clenches as I read out the rest of the article. “There’s more... ‘Mr Bristoni’s wife, present when the incident occurred, is suffering with severe shock. A family friend informs theLondon Echothat Arianna Bristoni is presently at an undisclosed private location recovering from the tragic and sudden loss of her much-loved husband.’”
“Fuck’s sake!” Del hisses. “We’re right. They either suspect it’s her or believe we’re behind it. This bullshit statement is because they don’t want anyone else knowing we’ve got one over on them.”
“Does it say anything else?” Liam nervously looks around. “Because we all know Arianna Bristoni isn’t under the care of anyonethey’vechosen.”
I resume the article. “It goes on to say, ‘The director and owner of the Bristoni empire, Edoardo Bristoni, released a statement late last night: “Roberto was my heir and eldest son. We are devastated by his unexpected death and ask for privacy at this time in order to process our grief and to allow Roberto’s wife to recover.”‘ It then says, ‘The London Echowill report on the details for Roberto’s funeral as soon as we are able. We knowLondon wishes to pay its respects to one of our longstanding and well-respected businesses.’”
“Well-respected?” Liam snorts. “The ass-licking fuckers! Everyone knows what the Bristonisreallyare. I like how there’s no mention of the small issue over Roberto’s cock being missing!”
“Or that it’s somewhere at the bottom of our incinerator,” Oscar adds, a smirk on his face.
I chuck the newspaper onto my desk. “How the Bristonis are dealing with Roberto’s murder is similar to what I’d do if the boot were on the other foot.” Making the incident out to be a natural occurrence was the only way to avoid giving your enemies an opening via chinks in your defense. Once someone let slip Roberto had been offed, the rumor mill took over, but the Bristonis have played to the book in public. That’s why there’s been no retaliation.
Yet...
I clench my jaw. But therewillbe retaliation. And those retaliations will be aimed at us - or rather,me.
Oscar and Liam can make digs and jibes all they like, but there’s a more pressing matter that needs dealing with, now more than ever.
Folding my arms, I look up and the room falls silent. I turn to Steve. “Moving on, there’s an urgent job I need done. It must be actioned while the Bristonis are busy with their story of heart attacks. It’s our only window of opportunity and we’re short of time to take it.”
Steve straightens his huge frame, alert to the coming instructions.
“Do some digging on the location of Roberto’s body,” I continue. “The Italians normally use the Gallo Funeral Parlor on Basil Street, so I suspect that still applies.”
“Planning on sending flowers?” Liam grins.
I glare at Liam. “Roberto’s body must be lifted before the post-mortem. I need it done today.”
“What?” Liam yells. “Swiping the body will put us further in the frame!”
“We’re already in the bloody frame,” I snarl. “Steve will lift the body.” A small smile slides onto my face. “And you, Liam, will incinerate the fucker.”
“This is fucking mental!” Liam splutters. “What possible reason is there to...”
“I’ll explain later.” Giving Steve a nod, I watch him leave the room before turning back to Del and my brothers.
