Page 15 of Entangled

“Country,” Gian corrected smoothly. “We’re the largest organization in this country, at the moment, and for the unforeseeable future, too. We have always been the reigning organization, and that isn’t going to change. Even when the cops couldn’t handle something like the biker gang wars, we did. And for the most part, the Guzzi organization keeps a tight leash on gangs and other violent entities that cause us issues, which in return, cause the people and you issues.”

Seeley tipped his chin up, defiant.

Gian smirked in response.

“I mean, you could be grateful,” Gian added.

“Right, that’s the word police are known to use for criminals.”

Gian waved that off. “Those are semantics. If you’re here to tell me that the focus of the police has changed from putting away murderers, to bringing my family down, then you’re too little too late. You see, I took care of the issues that needed taken care of, and you can take that however you want to. What it means, however, is that you’re left with the rest of us on your side of things, including me. So, here I am. I’ve even made it easy on you.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Gian held out his wrists, offering them to the detective. “You didn’t even have to ride an elevator to arrest me. Here you go, do your job.”

“I—”

“Can’t,” Gian interjected. “Yeah, I know. But hey, I’m really starting to look forward to these weekly meets and the games we play, so maybe in a few more, we’ll actually get to the point where we can sit down and have coffee. Or maybe not.”

“And how are those growing pains coming along in the organization?” the detective asked, moving an inch closer. “How difficult it must be for a boss of your age—even with your last name—to gain any traction with some of those men?”

Gian let his cool, calm expression take over as he answered, “So you’re watching, then? Good, see if you can keep up. Je suis désolé, mais je dois y aller, Detective. Have a good day.”

“We’re not done talking, Gian.”

Gian had already turned back and was heading for the elevator. His response was a flick of his hand over his shoulder, even when the detective called out for him again.

Oh, they were done.

Entirely so.

“Explain to me, boss, how a man who gets driven around ninety percent of his time, has managed to get two parking tickets and one for speeding, in three months?”

Gian glared at the back of Christopher Basso’s head from his spot in the rear seat. “You know they only pulled me over on the speeding ticket just to get a look inside my car.”

“Says you.”

“I wasn’t speeding,” Gian muttered.

“You are aware I know that you drive like a bat out of hell, right?”

“Shut up, Chris.”

“What about the two parking tickets?” the enforcer asked.

Gian scowled. “I couldn’t find a spot. I used a fire lane a couple of times—whatever.”

“You’ll be lucky if they don’t demote enough points from your license to take it from you today.”

“They’re not going to take my license, for fuck’s sake.”

“Well, if they do, I’ll still be here to drive your ass around.”

“You sound like you’re enjoying this,” Gian accused.

In the rearview mirror, Chris flashed a grin. “I enjoy keeping you on your toes, sure. You’re the only made man I know who doesn’t spend all his time in court for offences related to the organization, but instead, his shitty driving habits. I’m serious, they’re going to take your license one of these days.”

“You know what, fuck—”