Page 36 of Damaged Beast
“I told you. I’m turning things around. I want to be a normal, respectable Capo for you.”
“I never wanted that.” Stellan faces me, one hand gripping my arm. “You’re Prime. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” He gives me a searching look but shakes his head. “Anyway, you’ll tell me whatyou’re really up to eventually. Make sure it doesn’t blow back on the family like we discussed.”
I say nothing. Guilt shimmies in my guts. After Shawn, I was a fucking mess, drinking myself into oblivion, waiting for the world to come crashing down around my shoulders.
That’s when I met Stellan. He dragged me from the grave and gave me a second chance. He saved my life.
Without him, I’d be feeding worms right now.
My fingers graze the dove tattoo on my chest.
Without Stellan, I wouldn’t have a shot at revenge.
I march forward and reach the back of the van. The doors open easily. Inside, boxes marked with Pokémon logos are stacked in tight. A man jumps out with a groan, knuckling his back and stretching his legs.
David Sorensen beams at me as he gestures. “Brought your goods.”
“This the new investor?” Stellan introduces himself.
“It’s nice to meet you, Don Corsetti.” David speaks with appropriate reverence. “I didn’t expect you here.” He shoots me a panicked look. Probably worried he fucked up.
“Big boss only wanted to see the goods. You mind?”
“Not at all.” David ducks in and grabs one of the boxes. He cuts it open with a pocket knife.
Inside are stacks of Pokémon card boxes.
“What am I looking at here?” Stellan asks, sounding confused.
“A new transportation option.” David takes out a booster box and slices it open. Small plastic baggies of cocaine spill out onto the van’s floor. “Clever, huh? Won’t fool a dog, but you know.”
Stellan sighs, tilting his chin to the sky. “The modern fucking world.”
“People love that Poke-man shit.” I pat David roughly on the back. “And this guy’s a genius when it comes to logistics. There’s a reason we’re working together.”
“Mostly thanks to his personal assistant. Does she know what we were really negotiating? No, probably not, but don’t worry. I’m not going to tell.”
“His personal assistant is his new wife, so you’d better be careful.” Stellan holds out a hand, palm up. “Keys now, please.”
David’s grin fades. He looks from Stellan back to me. “I thought you were going to unload it?”
“Back at the warehouse,” Stellan confirms. “You don’t mind walking, do you, David?”
“Not at all, not at all, go ahead, she’s all yours.” David quickly gives him the keys. “Don’t even bother returning her. Heck, consider it a present!”
“Thanks, David.” Stellan climbs behind the wheel and fires it up.
Must be nice, being the fucking Don.
I sit heavilybehind my desk, happy to be off my feet. My knee aches from walking too much, an old injury from my youngerand more violent days. Sometimes I can still feel the way it broke, a big, heavy-set thug’s heel grinding down into the bone for five seconds, long enough for me to jam my knife into his calf. He’d probably still be suffering the same way I am if I hadn’t killed him.
“There you are. I was starting to think you’d taken off the whole day.” Deanna comes waltzing into the room without knocking. She’s been doing that for a while, and you’d think she’d learn her lesson after catching me in several compromising situations.
I massage my knee. “I’m starting to think I should have.”
“Hilarious.” She flips open her planner. “I have a few messages for you. There was an issue at the Dolphin lot, Albert says to call him back, and David called only ten minutes ago to ask if you’re happy with how your meeting went.” She looks up and snaps the book shut. “You met with David?”
“It was a casual thing,” I say, holding out my hand. “Let me see that.”
