Page 24 of Fixate
“I’ve been keeping an eye on the divisions you set up on both coasts. The East is looking perfect. Not a single hiccup, and your men are more loyal than ever.”
“And the West Coast?” Preacher asked.
I couldn’t hold back a wince at the question. “They are stable, though barely. Pharrell isn’t doing so hot. Even though he had proof of Stasia’s treason, there were still some in her family who were angry at him for her death. They felt she deserved to be punished like they did their wives instead of killed.”
“So, they’d have rather him beat and starve her than for her to be dead? Yeah, makes total sense. Do you think they’re going to come after us? I mean, it wasn’t Pharrell that actually shot her.”
Preacher was upset. Rightfully so. He only wanted Dante. The rest was just a headache for him.
Dante jumped in before we wound up debating things we didn’t need to. “What do you suggest? Are you going to take over the West Coast?”
“That’s not my goal, though I’m prepared to do so if needed. It’s more that I feel the need to intervene. Besides, you have Preacher here as your aid. There isn’t anything I’m doing that he can’t do or hasn’t already started handling.”
Preacher shook his head, like he didn’t agree with me at all. “You think too little of yourself, Ricardo. This organization needs you.”
“And it will have me. I’m just moving to a different place to ensure all of Dante’s work doesn’t go to waste.”
“There’s no other reason?”
I couldn’t hold his gaze when I replied, “Nothing at all. Are we good?”
Dante gave a weary sigh, then walked around the desk. He wrapped me in a big hug, then immediately went to sit in Preacher’s lap. I smiled at the sight, knowing the two of them would be ok without me.
“I will miss you, friend. But... I also understand when you feel called to handle something. Should I let Pharrell know you’re coming, or is this meant to be a surprise?”
I shrugged, not wanting to feed the suspicion Preacher held. “I have no opinion either way. He’ll find out how serious I am about helping when I show up soon. Stasia did a lot of the work with him, and even from afar, I can feel the system over there crumbling.”
“When do you leave?” He asked while rubbing Dante’s back. My stomach clenched at the want I felt watching the movement.
Did… did I want someone to comfort me that way?
No. Surely not.
“An hour from now. I came in to plead my case should you have been inclined to try to stop me. But since you’re understanding of things, I’ll be able to head out earlier than expected.” I put on my best poker face to hide the feelings that roared through me. My fists were tight, and my mouth puckered from the way I held myself back.
Dante gave me a nod to let me know he accepted my leaving. While he could have fought for me to stay, I knew my friend wasn’t so caught up in our connection to let Pharrell’s territory go unchecked. If nothing else, I needed to complete that part of my goal.
Preacher put his hand out in my direction. I took it, then went wide-eyed as he pulled me into a short hug. Dante was between us, though the other man didn’t seem to mind.
“Good luck with him,” he whispered lowly.
I tried to pull off a look that said ‘I have no clue who you mean,’ though I don’t know if I pulled it off. Not wanting to risk it, I left shortly thereafter.
I had a plane to catch. There was no time to waste.
Vegas was stifling.The heat felt a million times worse after being in the cool air of the chartered plane I took. It was my final perk from the Romano family since I wouldn’t be able to travel commercially with my weapons.
And I never went anywhere without at least two pieces on me.
The drive from the airport to the address I had for Pharrell was tedious. I knew the city had a prominent nightlife, but even the daytime seemed to be teeming with tourists. The money flowing through the area had to be great.
I thought over ways to further monopolize the foot traffic while we crept slowly closer to our destination. The driver was quiet, a soft jazz on the radio keeping it from being completely silent. It was best that way. I didn’t need to show up annoyed as fuck when I was already furious with the man for giving me half-ass answers for weeks.
With my presence here, he’d have to respond to me. It was that or give me the cold shoulder. I hoped the latter wouldn’t come into play. There was nothing I hated as much as being ignored.
Some doctor might say it had to do with my issues with Domenico and his need to make me feel invisible so much of the time. Even when he gave me the task of taking Dante away under the guise of protection, I was merely meant to be his shadow.
Always in the background.
