Page 38 of Bite Marks

Nunzio pulled up to a well-known spot on the east side. Most of the hustlers liked to hang around here in their free time. If you were looking for information, this was your first stop. Everything was for sale here, especially information.

Nunzio checked the time. It was still too early for Junior to be here. Perfect. He enjoyed taking the opportunity to be unseen.

Junior was a dealer. He was as self-serving as they come. Most people thought he was a wild card, liable to turn from friend to foe in an instant. Nunzio knew the real him. The man is hardened by life, paranoid, and too afraid to get close to anyone. He wasn't sure what mood Junior would be in tonight. Given his own, this conversation could go either way.

He remembered Vanessa, the innocent woman caught in the crossfire. His wolf lingered in the background, ready to find her by any means necessary.

Nunzio watched Junior enter and head to his usual spot at the back of the bar. Walking up behind him, Nunzio reached the empty stool next to him as the drink hit his lips. Junior turned, his eyes widening slightly before assuming their usual boredom.

“Haven’t seen you around in a while,” he said, flagging the bartender for a second drink.

“Save the sweet talk. You know why I'm here.” Nunzio made eye contact, letting his wolf show.

“I may have heard about an incident at Sinsations," he said quickly. Then he took a pause. "But you know how it is. Too many people tell you the same story, and you get the details confused."

“Where’s Lenny?” Nunzio asked. He didn’t have time for games.

“Whoa, I thought we were talking about Sinsations. I didn't say I knew nothing about Lenny.”

The bartender placed a glass in front of Nunzio, looking between them both and making a quick exit.Smart guy.

"You know Lenny's behind this, and you know he's got Vanessa." Nunzio leaned into Junior. “If she doesn't make it out of this, I'm coming back for you. I'll ask you one more time, where’s Lenny?”

Junior stared at Nunzio, weighing his options. Nunzio stood deathly still. He allowed his promise to loom over them, a looking glass into the travesty of the would-be Junior's end if he did not heed his warning.

“He’s been out for about a week. The guy who helped him escape is a loyal customer,” he started. “My guy said he’s been planning to take some girl for a while now. I swear, though, I had no idea they were talking about your girl.”

“What did you just say?” Nunzio said, slamming his fist down on the counter, his voice mostly a growl.

Junior leaned back as Nunzio moved forward, trying to put distance between them. What the fuck did he mean they were planning to takeher?This changed everything. Nunzio’s entire body was set ablaze, the fire burning through the threads of his patience.

“He had his eyes set on her, something about a score to settle.”

“Where the fuck is he?” Nunzio snapped, grabbing him by the throat and yanking him off his feet.

“He’s got a safe house on the docks. Pier 27,” he forced out.

Nunzio could taste his fear. He didn’t blame him. He felt Junior’s oxygen being slowed as he brought his fingers together. But the creature inside demanded blood.

The clock is ticking,he reminded himself. He fought his wolf, forcing his hand open. Junior’s legs folded on themselves, and he hit the floor. Nunzio pulled out his cell phone, heading around the crowd of silent onlookers.

He entered the Roma, starting the engine and peeling off the curb. The phone picked up on the second ring.

"Found something?" answered No Neck's raspy voice.

“He’s got a place on the dock,” Nunzio blurted out. “Gather the boys and meet me there. Pier 27. That fuck was watching me. Must have been. He’s been planning to take Vanessa from the beginning.”

The line went still, the silence saying what neither man would. Lenny didn’t want to scare him. He didn’t want to bargain or fight for his place. He wanted to destroy him by destroying what he loved.

"We'll be there as soon as we can," he said.

Nunzio tossed the phone to the side. Time slowed. He glanced at the clock. It had already been two hours since she was taken. Vanessa.The woman I love.The admission broke through the anger, leaving a pit of anguish on his face.

His mind began to travel through all the unspoken conversations they should have had. She was the best thing that had come out of this life. The one person he would leave his life a thousand times over for.

“Fuck,” he shouted, slamming his plans on the steering wheel.

Nunzio tasted the bitterness of his carelessness. He should have been more aware of his surroundings instead of being so wrapped up in being seen. The shame began to swell, coating his memories in a fragile sweetness that made him sick.

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