Page 9 of A Merciless Husband
Liam lets out a low whistle. “I thought Lorenzo educated all his folks on our guys?”
“H-he did,” Steffoff stutters, and I see the first beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. “I know all about you all.” I believe him. After all, he wouldn’t be this nervous if he didn’t know the true threat that Sasaki posed.
I chuckle and lean against the wall again, crossing one foot in front of the other. “Then you know you should watch your mouth. I guess the Nameless still brings about some respect then, eh?”
Steffoff eyes me for a long moment, his expression serious. “That was never in doubt.” His voice is quieter when he finally speaks. “Lorenzo wouldn’t consider you a threat if he didn’t respect you.”
His words make me pause as I process them. There wasn’t a hint of deceit in his eyes. He meant every word that he said, all semblance of the usual games he plays gone.
I narrow my eyes, leaning closer to him. “Well, then, I want it known that I want no trouble with Lorenzo. If he gets trouble from me, it’s because he made it. Astero, on the other hand, I’m going to takedown.I don’t like abusers and people that don’t pay their own debts. Astero is both. He’s a poor businessman and an even poorer person.”
Steffoff’s eyes widen. “He doeswhat?”
I scoff. “Why do you think I arranged the marriage with his granddaughter to get the docks? Because this is how he and his son can pay me back afteryearsof neglecting their dues. And now? They’ve called it off. No bleedin’ way I’m letting that stand.”
Understanding glints in Steffoff’s eyes that wasn’t there before. “I see.”
“Yeah, you bettersee.”I growl.
I march out of the room, leaving Jack and Liam to clean up the mess. I’ve planted the seed in Lorenzo’s organization,through Steffoff, that Astero isn’t someone to do business with. That’s all I can do for now.
The warehouse we’ve been conducting this littleinterviewin was loaned to us by Marshall. I need to remember I owe several massive favors to him now. Unlike the Asteros, I pay my debts back handsomely.
I speed down the metal stairs and push out the front doors for some fresh air. The smell of blood and mildew isn’t what is bothering me, it’s what Steffoff said. I know he was sent to get under my skin, but that doesn’t seem to matter. It worked. The night air does little to calm my nerves, not with the smell of car exhaust and rubbish in the air.
I pull out my phone and dial Alessandro De Matteis’s number, the leader of the Nameless, and Lorenzo’s brother.
It only takes a couple of rings for him to pick up, regardless of the time difference. “Ah, Irish Demon. How lovely to hear from a colleague.” His Italian accent and rich voice reminds me enough of Lorenzo’s to make my anger rise even more.
“I wish I could call with more pleasantries, but we have an issue. Your brother is fucking with my business and I’d rather like it to stop.”
There’s a beat of silence, and then Alessandro’s voice drops to a whisper. “Apologies. Had to move rooms. Ah, so that’s what he’s been up to.Porco Dio.” He sighs, and I hear shuffling in the background. “What is it this time?”
I fill him in on everything that’s been going on with Lorenzo and Steffoff, being careful of what information I give to him regarding Amy.
Finally, when I’ve finished, Alessandro makes a thoughtful sound. “I see. Well, it’d be more preferable if, from now on, you talk with me before taking one of my brother’s men hostage.”
I scoff. “I’ll be sure to do that. Just when he stops fucking with my impendingmarriage.”
“Ah. A serious matter to you, I see. This is more than business.Inteso.Then I do not blame you in the slightest.” He sucks in a deep breath before exhaling it slowly. “This is what we’re going to do, my friend. I’ve already been working with our newest recruit on some things, it seems it is time to take it to the next level. Marshall will handle Astero. You get yourself and your woman out of the States. Take her to your home, make sure she is safe, I will send another one of us to help,sì?You were right to call me. This is the point of the Nameless, to solve one another’s problems and help each other. You need protection for your woman, we are all too happy to help.”
Surprise courses through me like a flood. While Alessandro is a very good liar and altogether too charming of a man, I’ve learned to read him over the years of working together. I once considered him a threat as much as his brother, even once we joined forces and became allies. I realize I’ve never really stopped such thinking, not with him, not with Marshall or any of the other members of the Nameless.
The men who are supposed to be my brothers. The men who are supposed to have my back. And I’ve had their back. I’ve never put myself in their shoes, never thought about what I would do if one of the other members had a partner they were in love with.
But maybe I should’ve. Because now that I’m thinking of it, it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. Not like I was thinking of it before.Maybe I’m the dope after all.
In my line of work, the first thing we learn is that everyone has something to exploit. Be it greed, a lust for power, a need for control, fear of something, love of something…everyone has a price. You just have to find out what it is. And mine? Well, it was one thing, and now it’s switched to another. It was a lust for power and control, and now it’s love for my future wife.
The entire point of working in an alliance like the Nameless is to have each other’s backs and cover those weak spots. I would’ve done it for one of the other men without hesitation, because that’s what we do in the Nameless.
My father has infiltrated my thoughts even more than I realized.
I bring my attention back to the phone call with Alessandro. “That would be much appreciated. Thank you.”
“Prego, prego,Irish Demon. I was beginning to wonder if you were infallible, since you’ve never asked for help. Glad to be of service finally and return the many favors you’ve given the Nameless.”
His words only serve to confirm my thoughts. Maybe it’s time to be less paranoid like my da and utilize the people and resources I have.
