Page 22 of A Game of Secrets

Chapter 13

Silas

Sat in my office after having an in-depth catch up with Cole and Linc on how my strip club, Mezzanotte, has been profiting and the changes that have been implemented on my behalf that I may not have been aware of. Cole's restaurant, Salvatore's Cucina is progressing with the packaging and distribution of cocaine as well as the legal profits that we are receiving from the restaurant itself. Linc has filled me in on how the casino is doing and his security measures regarding our firearm shipments and above all, i'm pleased with the way they’ve handled things.

My boys have also kept up our fortnightly nightclub openings at the warehouse and the monthly fight nights. The monthly fight nights are my favorite of our ventures. We invite all rival gangs to join and enter their best fighters, bets are placed and profits are made by all. We also exchange inventory and it enables us to set up deals or meetings if needed. I'm immensely proud of how they have coped, even though I know they are glad to have me back to take the reins again.

Looking at my watch it reads 18:24, it's been a long day back at the helm. I've missed it but I had hoped I'd have had time to chat more about any recent developments regarding la mia Luce. Linc filled me in with the general information about her, but what isn't sitting well with me is how she is involved with those Irish scum. Linc has been doing more digging, and Cole has been watching her. I’m not sure how I feel about Cole continuing to watch her now I'm out, I might have to have a chat and tell him I'll take over.

A moment later both Linc and Cole come strolling into my office and take the seats opposite me. Linc is dressed in a navy suit jacket with a white shirt with matching navy tie, blue slacks and brown shoes, I can see he is concealing a gun too. Next to him Cole is wearing a black shirt open buttoned with skinny chino type trousers with black Doc Marten boots, paired with a black leather jacket, underneath he wears his gun in a holster.

"So are you going to change or do you intend on wearing the same suit you were convicted in?" Linc smirks knowing full well I intend to change into a different suit for the occasion. This isn’t just a meeting with our men and associates, this is a celebration of my return to the helm of our organization.

"Actually, clever dick, Ms Lewis brought this suit for me to change into before leaving. She said one of you gave it to her. But yes I will be changing, don't worry yourself. I'll still look better than you," I snark back.

"You wound me Si, I only care for your reputation as a crime lord, you need to look the part. Maybe we should bloody our knuckles before attending to send out a message of terror. As for your suit, it didn't come from me," he comments, adjusting the strap of his holster.

"There will be enough bloodying our knuckles at the meeting. Some members need to be reined back in." I state.

"Well I must admit, I wasn't looking forward to this meeting but now I'm excited to get my hands dirty brother. Please tell me I can bring my new switchblade tonight?" Cole says cheerfully. The way he gets excited about stabbing someone is the same way a drug addict gets about taking a hit.

"Sure I'll let you have some playtime tonight, Cole," I smirk. This is going to be a fun night.

A knock at the door interrupts us. "Come in," I shout.

Marcello, my head of security, enters with a smile on his face. "Cherry dropped this off, she said you asked her to collect it." He hands me a black suit bag. Cherry offered to collect my suit along with offering her services to me as soon as I stepped through the door. Safe to say I declined her services but she got my suit anyway.

"Thanks Marcello, we will be heading out shortly to the warehouse," I tell him. He nods and leaves the room. "Right boys, best go make myself presentable," I laugh. Picking the suit up I go to the washroom connected to my office and clean up and change into a dark gray checked suit including a vest with a white shirt underneath. Like my brothers, I have a gun holster underneath my jacket with my guns attached.

Once I'm ready, I walk back to the office. Linc decides to wolf whistle me and Cole pats my shoulder, "You scrub up good Si, you will have all the hookers at the party later on their knees, mouths open and waiting." I shake my head, these fuckers always trying to tease the shit out of me.

"There is only one woman I've got on my mind, boys, and that's Lucille Holland. Once we are done with this meeting, I'm going to find out what that Irish mafia scum has over her".

"You do realize Max Costello could be her baby’s father, right?" Linc asks. Cole stays silent, which is weird. I thought he'd be agreeing with Linc.

"Maybe, but maybe not, until we find out for sure, I'm choosing to be open minded," I tell them.

"Pfft why else would she be meeting him and letting him look after the kid?" Linc goes on to justify his case.

"Look, let's take a step back. Even if he is, she hasn’t been stopping at his place so she's not sleeping with him anymore. She's fair game Linc." Coles jumps in. He's giving Linc a pissed off look that needs addressing but we don’t have time for that right now, we’re going to be late.

"Right, well I agree with Cole, but guys we need to get going. Heads need to roll and we are sat here gossiping like a bunch of girls. We will discuss this later though, you can bet your ass's on that." I add, opening the door leading the way out towards the club exit.

Some of the girls and crew will be here tonight working with regulars but the main stripper's and my trusted, closer circle of employees are already at the warehouse getting the party started. We exit the club, Cole came on his motorcycle, a Triumph Trident 660 and Linc got one of his men to drop him off.

"I'll meet you at the warehouse," Cole says, jumping on his bike and burning off before we get a chance to dispute him, something is clearly on his mind.

I turn to Linc, "Shall we go in the Porsche?" I grin, knowing he's already got the keys in his hand.

"Let's get to it Si. I want to get this meeting out of the way so we can celebrate having you home brother," Linc smiles.

Fifteen minutes later, we arrive at the warehouse. On the outside it looks like any other warehouse on the dock but inside, it’s a different story. Made up of 2 floors, we have different spaces set up for different purposes. Tonight, the ground floor is set up like a nightclub. It’s dark and moody, perfect for tonights party and the people attending. The warehouse houses other delights required by our line of work like our meeting room but I’m hoping I won’t need to use the other rooms tonight. Cole's bike is already parked up. He must be inside already, rounding up the crew to the back room for our meeting to begin. He's unhinged tonight. I can see that from the way he sped off earlier, they'd do well to do as he asks quickly.

Linc and I make our way to the entrance, Linc nods to his men Sully and Felix who are manning the door tonight, he has left Zack running the casino.

"Watch who you let in tonight boys, Boss wants to enjoy his night not have a gang war on our doorstep," Linc instructs with a nod towards them.

"No problem, Sir," Sully replies, eyes forward at all times. He's good, he's always watching for threats. Felix opens the door letting us pass into the main room of the warehouse. I glance around taking in the sight of the party. I spot some of the girls working the pole, Roxi and Cherry. They are dressed only in thongs, their breasts are on full show, Roxi in blue and Cherry in red. I spot two more of the girls from Mezzanotte, Mercedes and Crystal dancing in the hanging cages above us. They are completely naked, pussies bare for all to see. The place is full of people dancing and drinking. I spot Enzo at the bar surrounded by girls in bikini tops and shorts, he's rushed off his feet but that's good, we will be profiting well from tonight as well as celebrating my return home. Looking around I see Quinton and make my way over to him.

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