Page 48 of Corrupted Pleasure
My right hand snaked to the back of my pants where I had my handgun tucked in. Hell would freeze over before I trusted any DiLustro.
“Basilio has the deed?” Gio questioned, his eyes on Davina and I hated it. Her little body stiffened next to me and the regret washed over me. If I hadn’t kept her in the club, Gio wouldn’t have laid eyes on her. She wouldn’t have been exposed to the DiLustro family, the Syndicate nor any Kingpin.
Goddamn it! I should have taken the money she attempted to steal and sent her on her way.
“Well, does he have the deed or not?” Gio barked and Davina startled, almost jumping in her spot. Her hands were trembling and she quickly pushed them behind her. She had good instincts. You never show a DiLustro your fear, they exploit that shit.
Dante’s dark eyes, so much like the rest of DiLustro's, glanced my way, before he answered, “Yes.”
If Gio wasn’t eyeing Davina he would have noticed his nephew was lying. And because it was that fucking guy that ruined my sister’s life, I had no intention of ratting Dante out. Maybe the next generation of the DiLustro family would be better than the last one.
“And you’re one of the staff?” Gio asked Davina, taking a step closer to her. “Fucking the boss, I see.” Davina’s eyes flared with anger, but at least she didn’t snap at him. Gio thrived on challenges and breaking women. I pulled her closer to me. “She’ll remain,” he added, confident to get his way.
“She’s not staff,” I told him coolly. “And she’s none of your concern so keep away from her.”
I ensured there were no women on my staff before I went ahead with the deal. I’d never put any woman within arm’s reach of that sick bastard. In fact, I hated that Gio DiLustro ever laid eyes on Davina, and I was to blame for it. And to think Wynter and Juliette were here a mere hour ago.
“The Italians out of Hell’s Kitchen?” I changed the subject. Starting tomorrow, the territory would be divided into east and west. No more turf wars.
His dark eyes flashed angrily. I forced his hand by buying out all the land and buildings around him until all he had was just a worthless building remaining. He ran my sister out of the city and it took me over twenty years to finally contain the damn Italians to their side.
“Yes,” Dante answered for his uncle.
I nodded. “In that case, enjoy the club and the east side. Your son is now the proud owner of the best club in New York. The richest Kingpin, huh? Or so I hear.”
My last jab at the old son of a bitch.
Holding Davina close to me, we passed them with Quinn at our back and left the club without a backwards glance. It was good while it lasted. Yet, I wouldn't miss it. My only regret was that Gio continued to live and walk this earth. He was the scum of the scum. Yet, I bet it burned him to know his son now owned more property in New York than his father, the man who started the Syndicate. The first Kingpin.
Davina shuddered and I noted goosebumps dancing across her skin. I rushed her towards my black Mercedes Benz G-class, opened the door, and she slid into the passenger seat. Then I handed her the car keys.
“Start the car and warm up,” I told her quietly. “Something happens, you get in the driver’s seat and drive.”
She nodded without question before taking the key, her eyes darting next to me. I didn’t have to turn around to know it was Dante. I expected him to come after me.
I shut the door and turned around. Quinn had my back, but it was never smart to leave yourself blind to the enemy. Especially a DiLustro.
Wearing his three-piece-suit, Dante looked very much like his cousin and his uncle. I had yet to see any DiLustro man out of a suit. They probably fucked their women in suits too.
I watched him cross the street and in five strides reach us.
“Thank you,” he grumbled. I knew from the intel that Basilio and Dante were close, like brothers. This proved they had each other’s back. With one running the Chicago Syndicate and one in New York, they would be a force to be reckoned with one day. Probably too soon for my own liking. That would make it hard for the Russians, the Irish or anyone else to go against them successfully, unless forces were joined.
Except, the Russians would never be an option due to our history. When my father kidnapped Winter Volkov, Aisling’s mother, he had burned that bridge. Fuck, he blew up all bridges to anyone in Russia.
Though that would have to be a matter of concern for another day and another year.
I pulled the deed out of my back pocket and handed it to Dante.
“Basilio’s name is on there already,” I said. “See that he gets it. Tell him not to fuck it up.”
In a swift move, he put it inside his jacket with a nod.
And the deal was done.
CHAPTER19
Davina
