Page 39 of Depths of Obsession
“What’s going on?” Nico asked. “I know you wanted to talk about them before.” Of late Nico was trying to be more supportive. It was…unnerving, if appreciated. I still wonder about his motives though.
I might as well get it over with. Renzo better not push me though; I am in no mood. I’m not afraid of my brother. If he wants to take me on, so be it. I release a long breath, then say, “There have been a number of overdoses in my clubs of late. It’s bringing closer attention from the police and Interpol. I wanted to give you all the heads up that we need to be extra careful for the next while.”
Renzo’s eyes narrow. “What do you mean a number of overdoses?”
“Over sixty over the last three months.”
Nico’s eyebrows go up. Renzo swears. “Why am I only hearing about this now? Why haven’t I heard anything about it? Who’s selling bad junk? I’ll strangle them. This type of shit is bad for all of us. You’re not selling in your clubs, are you?”
“Do I look like an idiot to you? I may be younger, dear brother but I’m not young. I do not sell in my clubs. In fact, I do not sell anywhere. Nor do I use.” My temper is rising.
“So whose product is it? Who is behind it?” Renzo demands.
“I don’t know,” I concede.
“You don’t know. Maybe you should’ve shared this before and then we could’ve taken care of it before it got the attention of law enforcement.”
I drew in a deep breath. I want to smash my brother’s smug face but instead I merely meet his glare with one of my own. “I highly doubt it.”
“Why isn’t it on the news?” Nico asks. “I’ve not heard a thing about this. Normally, those kinds of numbers would be the talk of the town. Why is it we haven’t heard anything about it? What aren’t you telling us?”
“The reason you’re only hearing about it now is it’s only happening atmyclubs. The drug in question, called Black Heart, is only being sold in my clubs. Apparently no one can get it anywhere else.”
Renzo goes still. “And you’re not behind it?”
“No. I’m not, but someone out there wants thepoliziaand Interpol to think it’s me. Now they’ve even brought the Dubai police into it as well as Singapore.”
“Wait,” Renzo says, “how many clubs do you have? The last we discussed it, you opened clubs in Roma, Firenze, Milano, and Bologna. How many more do you have?”
“Twenty or so,” I say, relishing his surprise. He had no confidence in me running one club, let alone building an empire.
“Twenty?” Mia blinks. “I had no idea.”
“They are in most of the major cities in Europe and North America with a few outliers in the Middle and Far East.”
Nico grins. “You built an empire right under our noses without us even noticing. Well done, brother. Father will be very proud.”
I nod my thanks. “It’s all well and good but it appears someone is trying to bring me down. They are selling this Black Heart in my clubs only. And,” I take a breath, “magick is involved.” I point to the screen where I brought up the video. “That’s the man who’s selling it, or at least, one of them. The only one we’ve managed to catch on camera. He has altered his looks so he resembles me. People think he is me or one of my brothers and everyone wants to buy some of the drugs. Apparently if they don’t kill you, the high is incredible.”
“And when were you going to share this with us?” Renzo demands.
“Don’t you think we’ve had some other shit to deal with lately? I’m sharing now.” I lean forward and punch up the video so it appears on the main screen. I run the video as Nico and Renzo come closer to see it better.
“Fuck, he really does look like us,” Nico comments. “Send that to us.”
“Yeah, he does. I have someone working on trying to unmagick the picture so we can see his true features, but I’m not sure if that’s going to work.” With a few clicks of the mouse the pic is sent.
“Probably not,” Nico commented. “Rocco isn’t able to catch this guy?”
“Rocco gets there seconds after this guy disappears. He’s got to be using magick. Whoever is behind this is targeting me specifically. They seem to want me to be arrested or worse. They are trying to hang this on me. I’ve been wracking my brain, but I cannot come up with anyone who hates me this badly who’s still alive. I’ve kept a low profile for the last fifty years or so, all things considered, so I have no idea what this is all about. I wanted to keep you all in the loop because increased attention on us is problematic.”
Renzo stands up. “Yes it is, but what’s more problematic is that someone has targeted you. I don’t like this. Nico, ask your bestie, Esme, if she or anyone in her coven recognizes this guy. Luca, are you sure you haven’t pissed anyone off lately?”
“If I have, it’s in doing your bidding,” I snarl. Nico shakes his head slightly. And suddenly I know he’s right and I’m taking my anger and frustration out on Renzo. I rub my face. “I have been a good boy for the last half a century and I’m not sure anyone would bother to wait that long for revenge.”
Renzo nods and then gestures to the monitors. “Show me your clubs.”
I try not to sigh as I do what he asks. I pull up all of the clubs in the eastern part of the world as they are open. Everything west of us would be closed now.
