Page 13 of War Within
“I’ll walk you home.”
“Oh no.” She patted the heart on the large tattoo in the middle of my chest. “I got this one, boss man.” Suddenly, she took off jogging, bumping my arm in the process.
The three of us turned to watch her, confused.
“Trigger, follow her. Make sure she gets home okay. We’ll head back to the penthouse.”
“Yes, sir.” He jogged behind her, maintaining a distance.
Indigo took a step next to me, watching them disappear down the road. “You don’t think she would have been fine?”
Turning to him, I furrowed my brow. “It’s New York. It’s past midnight, and she’s clearly drunk.”
“And that is cause for alarm?” He wiped his forehead with his shirt.
“She touched my chest, called meboss man, and looked at my dick. She’s one-hundred percent drunk.”
Indigo smirked, sliding his phone from his pocket, placing it to his ear.
Yes?
Folding my arms over my chest, I waited as his face contorted into several expressions.
Okay. We’ll be there in thirty.
“What?” I rolled my eyes, exhaling.
“We need to get you to the penthouse to change. You’re needed at Skyline.”
We strode out onto the rooftop bar from the elevator, greeted instantly by EDM music and several attractive female employees in white uniforms; crop tops, miniskirts, and leather knee-high boots. They were always exceptionally friendly to my family. We frequented the place quite a bit.
Skyline was owned by my friend, Nick. We had been business partners for several years. He was someone I trusted with my life. I could count on him for anything.
Indigo and I marched to the VIP area to see Luca sitting next to his wife, Genevieve, on a long, L-shaped sofa with several of my business associates. Celia, my baby sister, sat next to a man I did not recognize, with her leg draped over his lap.
Leaning over, I placed a peck on Genevieve’s head then kissed Celia on the cheek. Nick sped over the moment he saw me. He reached out shaking my hand, pulling me close to his body.
“You're never going to believe who's here.”
I backed away. “Don't give me bad news in the middle of the night.”
“It’s fine, don’t worry.” He stretched his arm out, patting my shoulder.
“Close the place down immediately.” I slid my hands in my pockets, growling at Nick.
“Gio, I—”
“Now, Nick!”
“That would be wise, Nicky. You may want to send Luca’s wife and their sister away as well.”
I froze hearing the voice rumble behind me over the low music. Pursing my lips, I turned around slowly, narrowing my gaze at the man before me.Luigi Vitelli. A menacing grin inched onto his face.
Luigi was the boss of one of the infamous, three crime families in Chicago, Illinois. We had always been allies; and dare I say, friends. If I ever needed anything, I knew I could rely on him and his people. He knew he could depend on mine just the same. The issue was, we never spoke unless someone was in danger. So, if I got a call from him, it was never good. Him showing up unannounced? Even worse.
My family was only ever associated with the Vitelli and Fazio families in Chicago. We never spoke of the third. They ran a small area just inside the city, and they were reckless. They strove to start several wars, but their boss ended up mistaking his own brother for the enemy. He killed seven of his own men one night because he did not identify them before attacking. Carelessness. Rookie mistake.
“Don Giovanni.” He grinned widely, shaking my hand.
