Page 6 of Devious
King parks the car into a spot in my three-car garage, and my two bodyguards and I amble into my study. My underbosses sit in the other executive chairs. They’re dressed in expensive suits, drinking my liquor.
I have to admit, I didn’t want to leave my future wife alone, I want to watch her and see what she’s doing, but duty calls. Grabbing my phone from my breast pocket, I send out a text message to my security team to set up cameras throughout the penthouse and the manor, as well, since we’re going to be living here once we’re married.
I unbutton my black dress jacket, setting it on the back of the chair. I clear my throat, and their eyes are on me. The leather squeaks as I sit down.
“Men, let’s get this meeting over with,” I say.
My consigliere, Enzo, stands on my right, and my twin brother, Aiden, to my left side.
I declared war against the Irish mob because Cashel slept with my wife and got her pregnant, then he caused the life of my unborn son Santo. We were best friends at one point. He needs to be taught a lesson for the betrayal. And I will not rest until I have his head on a silver platter.
“First things first. Irish soldiers are getting more ruthless and killing our men. We have had seven of our men die this past week, and I can’t find Cashel anywhere. So have our guys torture them until you get answers. If they fail to give you information, kill them. I will not rest until we find Cashel.”
All their eyes are glued to me, and Aiden places his hand on my shoulder.
My eyes move to Lex. He slouches in the far corner, and he grits his teeth. The only reason why he told Roselyn to marry Nero so he could try to escape the unpaid debt he owes me. I should have put a bullet through his head a long time ago, but he was my father’s best friend, and he’s a damn good underboss. He had something I wanted, but if he steals from me again, Iwillend his life.
“I’m getting married in the next two weeks, and I expect all of you and yourfamigliato be there. I’m marrying Lex’s daughter.”
Homer’s gray eyes narrow on me. “Didn’t Lex owe you money?”
He’s the underboss of the New Jersey territory. He got promoted a couple of years ago. So, he’s still young and dumb. But I didn’t think he was dumb enough to challenge me.
He’s trying to throw Lex under the bus because he wants me to put him over New York’s territory. It’s one of the things I hate about having underbosses: they want bigger territories because they get more money, so they kill each other for a higher position. Lex has been working in the area ever since I was a kid. We have our hands so deep in the justice system’s pocket that when they hear our names, they run the other way.
“How is it your business?” I ask.
Homer places his hands on the back of his head. “You’re growing soft because he’s standing here alive.”
He’s a clown. A dead one if he keeps talking.
“I thought you would be vicious like Draco or like Villainous and kill him.” Villainous is Aiden’s street name. “I thought our don didn’t give out second chances and was known for his brutal killings.”
My expression is stoic, and I place my hand on my Glock. “You want me to show you how ruthless I am?”
Not giving him a chance to respond, I grab my Glock from my holster, aim it at his forehead, pulling the trigger. Blood, bone, and brain matter decorate the white wall and my oak floors. His lifeless corpse slouches on the marble table. Alonzo, Enzo’s son, moves to the next empty chair. Aiden places his hand on my shoulder, squeezing tightly. “Anyone else want to question my brother as don?”
They all shake their heads, and I tuck my gun back into my holster. “Aiden, call Charlotte.”
Charlotte is in charge of our in-house cleaning crew and takes care of bloody corpses. “A few of you drag the body into the hallway.”
A couple of men grab the body and drag it against the floor, leaving a trail of blood. The smell of copper burns my nostrils.
Aiden and the rest of the men waltz back inside, and I say, “I’m expanding territory all the way to Georgia, and apparently, I need someone else to replace Homer’s position. He oversees the coke and heroin labs.”
“I’ll do it,” Lex volunteers.
“For the underboss who’s in charge of handling shark loans, double the interest. Kill the Andersonfamiglia. They haven’t paid their dues in two months. This ends our meeting.”
Everyone scatters like roaches out the room, except Aiden. He flops down onto the chair across from me, sizing me up.
Aiden runs his fingers through his dark hair. “She looks like Shelby.”
Even though we’re twins, we are like night and day. My brother is covered in tattoos and more cut than I am. The tips of his hair touch his shoulders. He plucks a cigarette from the back of his ear, props it between his lips, and lights it.
Yes, Roselyn does look like Shelby, but when Lex offered his daughter, I had no idea she looked like her. I can’t argue with him, and I know exactly where this conversation is going, so I don’t respond.
He blows smoke from the corner of his mouth. “Marrying someone who looks exactly like her isn’t going to bring her back, bro.”
