Page 46 of War Within
“I'm actually only here for business tonight.”
“But aren't you always?” She hooked her arm in mine.
“I'm looking for Vincent.” I craned my neck, searching the crowded, dark room. “Have you seen him?” I remained cool and collected.
Milena was always so good to me. She took care of me whenever I needed her company, but she was also respectful when it came to leaving us alone when we were in a meeting. I did not frequent Serbia as much as I used to, but when I did, Gold Lion was the one bar I knew I could be at safely, with no security.
“Ah, yes.” She nodded to a booth in the back. “The Italian man. I should have known. Right over there.”
I circled her lower back, placing a peck on her cheek. “Grazie, bella.”
Weaving through the patrons, I made no attempt to observe my surroundings as I was too focused on the time-sensitive matter. Jane needed to be saved. Marco needed to be stopped.
“Ciao, boss.” Vincent stood the moment he saw me.
“Perillo, thanks for coming all this way.” I slid into the booth, propping my elbows on the table.
“You're welcome, boss. Vito will be here momentarily.”
Vito and Vincent were brothers. They had worked for me in New York for a long time. Both were capos in my organization. Vincent ran Brooklyn for me while Vito ran Long Island.
“And you received the file?” I pinned the inside of my cheeks between my teeth, biting down hard. It was taking everything in me not to lose my temper.
“I did.” He exhaled. “Marco has betrayed this family.”
“All over a woman.” I slammed my fist on the table before glancing around to see if anyone noticed. I leaned across the table. “This is fucking insane.” I tapped my finger on the table twice.
Vincent sat back against the seat, shaking his head in disbelief. “Honestly, I never trusted the little bastard.”
“Hey, he's still my son.” I pointed a finger at him.
“Respectfully,” he flashed his palms, “of course.”
“Now I don't have a son to take over the family one day.” Pursing my lips, I rolled my eyes.
“There's still time, you’re young.”
I shook my head. “Not as young as I wish I was.”
“Your family ages like vampires. You don’t look a day over—”
“Right now, my focus is saving Jane!”
Reaching in my pocket, I pulled out a cigarette, lighting it. Taking a deep drag, I hastily blew the smoke out, frustrated, terrified, angry.
“Since when did you start smoking?”
“Stress.”
He nodded just as Emir and Vito approached. They skidded into the booth next to us. Glaring, I narrowed my gaze on Emir.
“What the fuck took you so long?”
“I was with the rest of the guys outside by the trucks, giving them orders for you.” He lifted his chin toward the door. “They’re armed and ready to go when you are.”
A silent nod was all I offered, but he understood I appreciated his effort. Right now, I could only think about two pressing matters. Marco and Jane.
“Thanks for coming, Vito.” Inhaling my cigarette, I leaned closer to the middle of the table. The smoke drifted from my lips and nostrils.
