Page 75 of Corrupted Bride

BASS

“You know, Bass, you always act like you don’t love this part of the job.” Nico strides toward the brick ranch house. A town car sits in the driveway, the same car that took me and Mari to the restaurant.

“It’s not my favorite.”

“Bullshit.” Nico grins at me. “You live for it.”

I don’t try to argue. Me and my youngest brother don’t always agree on the general merits of gratuitous violence.

He loves it. I find it more work than it’s worth.

The home looks like a working man’s house. Aside from the car, there’s a lifted truck at the curb, and a huge TV glows through the front windows. I knock and wait, Nico lurking behind me.

Ray Dupree answers. He stares in surprise. During work hours, Ray’s always in a crisp black suit, his tattoos covered by his white collar, his hair slicked back neatly. Here though, he’s in a tank top, beer in one fist, gang marks on full display.

“Mr. Serafino,” he stammers and glances over my shoulder. “And Mr. Serafino. What’s going on?”

“We need to talk.” I step forward and he moves back, mouth working.

It’s not often the Don makes a house call.

Nico quickly sweeps the home, one hand on the grip of his pistol. Ray mutters something about getting me a drink but I only gesture for him to sit. The living room is cramped, packed by a massive couch and a coffee table. Photographs are stacked on a table. I don’t speak and Ray sits uncomfortably in an overstuffed chair, his back straight, hands on his knees. His beer rests forgotten at his elbow.

“We’re clear,” Nico says, but he’s not smiling anymore. “But there’s an old woman in a hospital bed in the back room.”

“My mother,” Ray says, looking down at his knees. “She’s got dementia. It’s bad.”

Some pieces click into place. I stand before my driver, wondering how we got here. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“About my mother? It’s a sad story, sir, and I didn’t think you’d be interested.”

“No, Ray. Why didn’t you tell me you needed money for her care?”

He looks up sharply. His face collapses, only for a moment, but I can see the fear there. His eyes gaze back down and his shoulders slump. “I didn’t know I could.”

“I’ve always taken care of you. I’ve been good to you. You always get a bonus on the holidays. If you need time off, you get it. What made you think I couldn’t be reasonable?”

“It’s not… it’s just…” He takes a deep breath and when he lifts his chin, there’s a hardness to him, like he’s coming to a decision. “You’re not the emotional type, sir. I didn’t think my mother’s illness would matter all that much. You’re right, I’m well paid, and I always assumed asking for more would only get me fired.”

“So you took the traitor’s way out instead,” Nico snaps.

But I hold up a hand to still my brother’s rage. Ray flinches, but he doesn’t look away.

“Is that correct, Ray?” I ask softly.

“I won’t act like I didn’t know. When they came to me and wanted to buy your location, I knew what they were going to do, but the amount they offered—” His jaw tightens and he picks up his beer. His hand shakes as he drinks. “Ma deserved some comfort in her last days.”

“You’re right. You didn’t sell me cheap. Tens of thousands of dollars have been moved into your account over the last few weeks. You’re unlucky, if I’m honest. Nico’s the one who found it.”

“I got a knack for computer stuff.” Nico drifts to the front door. “Bro, we should get this over with.”

I nod sadly. Ray swallows hard, lower lip trembling. “Please, take care of my mother. She’s got nobody else.”

“Why would I help a traitor?”

“Sir, please⁠—”

“You almost got my wife killed.” I draw my gun and raise it. “There’s no mercy for you now.”