Page 29 of Dark Alliance
Despite the extensive damage to his face, I recognize him as Sal Padovesi.
Sal’s been hitting on me since my sixteenth birthday. I turned a blind eye because he was one of the best bagmen in the business, and because my father insisted on keeping the peace. At fifty, Sal was elderly by mafia standards, and I can’t say I’m brokenhearted by his passing.
“Graffiti. Did you see this shit, Nino?” Tony tosses up his hands in disgust, his rings glittering in the fluorescent lights. “Can you believe this, Cat? Desecrating the dead…those motherfuckers!”
I should correct him.Motherfucker, singular.I guarantee Connor worked alone, but I don’t say anything.
Tony stomps back to my brother as I bend over Sal’s chest and tilt my head to read whatever message the liar left.
At first, it resembles scribbles, or maybe those rudimentary birds that little kids add to their drawings. When I kneel for a better view, an electric jolt shocks my body.
It’s an autograph.
Dane Ryder.
Just like the note he left in my hotel suite.
My hands tremble. I’m impressed by how cleanly Connor handled this. No broken windows. No blood on the street. I’m also scared shitless because he did this alone.
I straighten, my lungs stuttering in my chest.
I’m screwed.
He read the ambush in my involuntary facial expression. After just one date at a jazz bar, Connor Gallagherdoesknow me.
He knows what I find interesting, knows what I like to drink. He knows where my strengths lie in business, and he knows my weaknesses and tells.
I can hear Nino rattling off a plan to Tony and the other guys, claiming that a Gallagher alliance is off. My brother’s planning some outrageous retribution with the Roguilins.
The worst-case scenario is coming to life.
As I get close, Nino’s already on his phone, lying about what happened and setting up an urgent meeting with Belinski.
Tony stretches out an arm like he’s protecting Nino’s space.
Ass. Who does he think he is?
He may be Nino’s best friend, but I’m his older sister. And Eduardo’s eldest.
I duck under Tony’s arm so I’m right in front of my brother. “I’m going with you.”
Nino ignores me, hanging up his phone and stomping toward the back of the building.
“Nino, wait up!” If I can just get into the car with him, I know I can talk him down. We’ll call Father and map out our retaliation when our emotions aren’t sky-high.
I weave through the enforcers in the hallway.
As Nino reaches the door, he spins around, and I nearly barrel into him. He rests his hand on my shoulder. “Cat. This is dangerous, so you’re not coming. Go check on our father. That’s how you can help.”
I detest when my little brother patronizes me in front of our men. He’s the one making misguided, reckless choices, yet I’m the one chastised like a child.
“Nino, listen to me?—”
Nino opens the door. “Call Danny to take you home.”
He hustles toward his ruby red Porsche before screeching away. Tony holds me back until Nino’s gone.
I free myself, not bothering to mask my disgust.
