Page 95 of Fortress of the Soul

Of course, Sloane, like all our employees, are bound by a very ironclad NDA. Not that Sloane will be privy to any of the underworld atrocities we involve ourselves with. She’s strictly on a need-to-know basis.

“I’m not against it,” she says, her voice still quiet.

“What’s that?”

“People getting what’s coming to them.” She pauses for a moment. “I grew up with a very unstable family life, so I’m not opposed to vigilante justice.”

“Is that what you think we do?”

“Isn’t it?”

“You know how this works, for the most part, Sloane. You’re a statistics girl. You’ll see that the crime rate in this city has dropped, thanks to Mario and Angelo Medici,” I say. “You’ll also see more bad guys going to jail, drug busts all over the city, brothels are now legalized but monitored. Pimps are being put out of business, meaning sex slavery for women and young children will be soon abolished. You know how Angelo feels about sex trafficking. You’ll also see how politicians are being made accountable for the promises they make and the company they keep. If you can put all of that together, you will see that being part of this family, as we like to call it, is probably one of the best things you could have done for yourself. We’re the mob, Sloane, but sometimes the worse monsters are the ones that appear to be normal right in front of your face. You’d be frightened to learn how many people in power have been brought to justice.”

Silence ensues, then, “Have you ever thought about running for office?”

I snort a laugh. “That’s what you got out of that?”

“As valedictorian of my high school, I’d say that was commendable. You should look into public speaking.”

“Now I know you’ve gone nuts.”

“Sending the file now.”

“Thank you, Sloane.”

“Oh, and Enzo?”

“Yeah?”

“I came to work for Angelo by choice, never forget that. At the end of the day, I want what you all want. I want my skills to be used for the greater good,” she says. “Even though that sounds cheesy, and I am technically working forthe mob,as you put it, I never want to be part of the problem, only the solution.”

“Glad to hear it,” I reply. “I knew you were a good sort right from the beginning.”

“Maybe you could’ve told Rocco that?”

“He never hurt you,” I say. “He wouldn’t hurt a woman… not by choice.”

“That makes me feel so much better. But being tied up, not knowing if this giant stranger who stands there staring with his jaw ticking and a baton in one hand is going to hurt you, it’s not very pleasant.”

I rub my chin as I think about Valentina tied up. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you’d been tied up in the right kind of capacity.” I laugh. “If you get my drift.”

“Hanging up now.”

I grin as I end the call.

As I’ve gotten to know Sloane over the last month, I know we have a friendly enough relationship that we can joke about such things. And she kinda makes me laugh.

However, when Sloane sends through the texts, that’s where my good mood plummets.

I read the messages as my anger slowly surges.

Toby: You stupid slut, your boyfriend is going to pay for that fucking move. I don’t care who he is or who he works for. You’ll get yours.

Valentina: I’ll say this only once. LEAVE ME ALONE.

Toby: Leaving was the best thing I’ve ever done. You’re really scraping the barrel with that fuckturd. The only reason he got the better of me was because I was drunk.

Valentina: Fuck you.

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