Page 3 of Paid In Full

“This is why they all think you’re crazy.”

“They think he’s crazy because he is,” Enzo interjected. “Can I go now?”

Benito sighed as I glared at my brother. “Yes, you can go home to your boyfriend. I expect you to go to the next benefit. These things are important for our name and our business.”

“I know,” Enzo said. “But Tex wants to go to the movies tonight, or he’s threatened to go by himself,” he said, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “And he will.”

“So let him go,” I said.

Enzo’s dark gaze landed on me. “I’d rather die.”

“You’re so fucking possessive.”

“And?”

“Go!” Benito said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Gin, get out. Here are your clothes.” He snatched away the stack that was rushed over. “Get me that bid and stop antagonizing him.”

“It’s just so fun.”

“I’m this close to sending you back to the hospital.”

“Okay, okay,” I said quickly. “I’m not that bad. It’s a joke.”

I huffed as I tugged my clothes on. He always assumed I was spiraling off the deep end if I had even a bit of fun. Torturing the newbies and sometimes my brother was simply par for the course. What would life be without pulling their chains a little?

Finally dressed, I picked up my fancy leather shoes and expensive socks bought purely for the stupid event. I glanced at them. My feet were still wet. I would have to wait to put them on.

“Do you know what you’re supposed to be doing?” Benito asked.

“You gave me all the paperwork this morning. How could I forget that quickly?”

Benito’s lips stayed sealed.Would it really be so bad if I punched him in the back of the head?Sometimes the way he talked to me was like a father talking to a child. We were brothers. I didn’t need him to be on my ass about my job.

He laid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “I just want to make sure the job is done correctly. This is a big deal for us. Sorry, I’m on edge.”

All the irritation drained out of me with one glance at the serious expression on his face. I nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

Benito blew out a breath. “Good. I have a few things to take care of as well. See you there?”

“Of course.”

Benito patted my shoulder hard, a small smile on his face. Immediately I felt better. We were only half brothers, but the love and appreciation I had for him weren’t diminished because of that fact. I knew Benito well. As much as he was a pain in my ass, he deserved some type of peace. I watched as he talked to one of our men before I pulled myself away. I had assignments to complete.

Time to get this shit done.

I adjustedmy tie as I smiled at the camera. The flash went off, making small, black spots appear in my vision. I blinked them away.Stupid damn cameras.I hated them, but they were good for men like us. Being in the public eye, putting on a good face was the only way to survive these days. Attending charity events was a great way to blend in, to throw off anyone who might look at us a little too closely.

Benito was off to the side, talking to one of his well-to-do friends. The ones that viewed us as scum while they called us in the middle of the night to clean up their dirty work. I scoffed at the notion.I hate schmoozing with these pricks. God, I want a smoke.

“Mr. Vitale!” A boisterous laugh reached my ears, and I instantly cringed. When I turned around, AJ Weston was grinning like a fool. “So excited to see you here tonight. How are you?”

I shook his hand. “Excellent as always,” I said. “It’s good to see you out and about.” He handed me a glass of champagne, and I readily took it. “Did you have a chance to go over our proposal for the hospital build?”

The man snorted. “Yes, yes, I knew you were going to be on my ass about that.” He swiped a puff pastry filled with shrimp as a waiter walked by and stuffed it in his face. “Like I told Mr. Hollister just moments ago, we will go with whoever puts in the most competitive bid as far as time and money goes.”

I stiffened. “Well, no one can compete with Mr. Hollister,” I pointed out. “Considering his use of illegal immigrants and how criminally underpaid they are.”

It was worse than that, though. Able Hollister was, for all intents and purposes, a slaver. He took illegal immigrants, threatened them with deportation, and forced them to work for pennies. His shitty work was all over the city. Anyone who dared to question him was met with violence or ruin. He had powerful men in his pocket.

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