Page 38 of Deadly Obsession
“You betray the Empire to sleep with the enemy. Now you want me to do business with QBM rats?”
Elias tries to stand, but I grab his forearm, stopping him. I take his hand in mine, and he turns his head, locking eyes with me. The murderous expression he’d been giving Noah’s father falls. His brows pinch, seeing my concern.
I don’t want Elias to die and if he keeps trying to lash out at his rival, I fear dinner will end with a bullet in his head.
I squeeze his hand, and he lets out a puff of breath, the corner of his mouth turning up.
I always want to be the reason he smiles. I bet he has a hearty laugh too.
The server returns with drinks, pulling Elias’s attention away from me. I already miss his intense stare.
Damn it.
Once again Elias is distracting me. Chase told me to be listening for information just in case the wire doesn’tpick everything up. Information that will betray Elias and Noah. But what other options do I have?
Tell Elias. He’ll protect you.
“Look, the Lords need to go,” Noah continues. “They’re beginning to gain the attention of the FBI. It’s a matter of time before Finn O’Connor is arrested on RICO charges. You know he’ll sing once he’s in custody to get a plea deal. Then the government will target us. Your FBI sources can’t protect you forever. So, let’s unite and take control now before that happens.”
Elias has zoned out while listening to Noah, not saying a word.
She continues. “The Empire runs guns. QBM handles drugs. QBM also takes down sex trafficking rings. The Lords are the biggest offenders when it comes to exploiting sex workers. Lance has recently come into information that they’re recruiting teenagers. Babbo, we could help the QBM shut it down. We merge our organizations and become powerful enough to dismantle the Lords.”
“And who will be in charge?” Elias asks, twirling a fork between his fingers.
“You still have Queens and Brooklyn. My father will maintain control of Manhattan and the Bronx. And...” Noah takes a deep breath. “Del and I will control Staten Island.”
Del leans over to whisper something in Noah’s ear, but it’s not loud enough for any of us to hear.
“Big decisions will be made by the four of us. Like a counsel,” Noah adds.
“You don’t know anything about running a mafia,” her father says after a few moments of silence.
“You’re right,” Noah responds, head high. At least she’s not intimidated by him. “But you want me to learn the business. Here’s my chance. Let me shadow you over the next few weeks or months. Show me what I need to know.”
Lenetti takes another sip of his whisky, then smooths his fingers over his clean-shaven face.
“We need a plan,” Noah begins, only stopping when three servers enter, carrying large bowls of salad and baskets of bread. They set them down on the table in front of us. A woman dishes out Gio’s salad.
My stomach is in knots, and I’m slightly nauseous from my nerves, so I don’t move a muscle. I’m also sweaty as fuck because I’m worried about this goddamn wire.
I amnotmeant for a life of crime.
“We work together—all of us—to form this plan to take down the Lords,” Noah says after plating her food. “You, me, and Elias. You know, teamwork? One big, merged mafia? A mighty mafia?”
I hold back a giggle. I love that name, but Elias apparently doesn’t and sighs beside me.
The silly mafia name settles my nerves enough that I bravely reach for the salad bowl… only for Elias to snatch the utensil away and scoop a helping onto my plate.
I open my mouth to tell him I’m not a fucking child, and I can do it myself, but I snap my mouth shut after glancing at Noah’s father who somehow manages to keep his eyes on us while devouring his food.
Gio takes another bite of his salad. He chews for what had to be minutes before breaking the silence.
“Fine.”
“Really?” Noah asks.
“I agree to work together to destroy the Lords. We will not combine our organizations. That will never happen, mio angelo.”
