Page 34 of The Almost One

“Be right there.”

Some things are better said in person and talking about who fucked up on the Nate cover-up is definitely not something I’ll be doing over the phone.

Ten minutes later, he’s strutting into my office and dwarfing the seat across the desk from me.

“What’s up?”

“Eleanor Reed just called me,” I see him about to correct me, but I lift a finger in guise of telling him to shut the fuck up. “I fucking know she goes by her maiden name, asshole, but I just don’t care enough to remember it so let it fucking go.”

Shrugging, he takes out his phone and goes to his notes, so I continue.

“I thought we had someone texting her on the regular? A couple of phone calls with bad reception? I thought you took care of this, Enzo…” My tone is a bit harsh, but this shit should have been tight.

“I did. The Reapers always get shit done.” His fingers are flying across his phone and I’m guessing he’s setting up a meeting with J.

“Does this have anything to do with what J told us about the breach on her team?” I’m pulling out the files on my capos, stopping when I find “The Shadow” and opening it to the list of soldiers she manages.

“She’ll be here in ten.” He drops his phone back in his suit jacket pocket, looking straight at me, and I know.

I fucking know I’m about to get really fucking pissed off.

“Someone fucked up.”

“Who? I want names right fucking now.” My molars are getting a workout and my entire body is shaking with barely restrained anger.

“Our best guess is the kid J caught sniffing around the Ambrosio crew.” Now I’m confused.

“I thought that shit was taken care of.” I’m looking at the kid’s file—and I don’t use the word “kid” lightly. He can’t be more than twenty years old. Christ, he can barely grow a fucking beard.

“She did, but apparently not before the body disappeared.” My head snaps up at his words.

“Define… disappeared.” This day is officially complete and utter shit.

“The shipping container in Lagos is empty. We had one of our men open it and check to make sure everything was in place, but Nate’s body wasn’t there.” Enzo barely flinches at this news and it’s a good thing, because someone needs to stay clear headed while my entire plan explodes into nothingness.

“So, what you’re saying is that Nate’s body could wash up on the shores of my fucking city any day now?” Just as I stand, there’s one knock on my office door before J walks in and shuts us back inside.

My ire suddenly finds the right victim, but before I have time to lash out, she slaps a folder on my desk and looks me straight in the eyes.

“This guy?” J points to a picture from her folder. “His name is Rafy Gambino. He was tasked with keeping in touch with Eleanor during the job’s travels.” In his thirties, he’s the perfect stereotype of the Italian mafia. Slick, cocky, and high on power.

“And?” I need her to get to the point.

“His body was found this morning.” She looks at her watch and shrugs. “Well, technically, last night, in the middle of Piazza del Plebiscito.” She waits for me to put all the pieces together, and it’s clear to Enzo and me when we do.

“In Naples.”

“Yes. Two bullets to the head, but that was after they cut out his tongue. I’m guessing he was tortured for hours before they took mercy on him. No fingernails, missing teeth, and one of his ears was cut off too.” I nod at her words, especially the ones she isn’t saying.

“It’s safe to assume our guy talked. That’s why the two bullets. It’s not mercy, it’s a message.” Standing over my desk, I stare at Enzo as he clarifies the Ambrosio family’s work ethics and it’s clear to us all that shit’s about to explode.

War has begun.

“I need you to get River and Lina to the Hamptons on lockdown. I need our best soldiers for security detail to have a look around, making sure the security system there hasn’t been tampered with.”

History always has a way of repeating itself.

The greatest wars of our civilization have been fought in the name of the women we love.

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