Page 51 of Bloody Savage God
For fuck’s sake. It’s as if I have no self-control, thoughts of Mikhail intruding when I can least use them. They do little more than distract me at the moment, so I shut them down right away. Or try again, anyway.
Turning to Eric, I ask, “Are you staying at your own place at the moment?”
I almost feel bad that this only occurred to me now, too caught up in my own bullshit.
To my relief he shakes his head. “I’ve been shacking up with some people.”
I laugh at that. “And by people you mean women, right?”
His grin is devilish. “Maybe.”
We both chuckle, and with that a bit of the old normality is back.
“You might be a target.” I say, even though Eric obviously already knows that. I have good reason to believe Uncle Mario is conspiring against me, but whether he is behind the murder of my father is still unclear. Which means we don’t know if one of us might also be targeted.
Eric just nods, and I have a pretty good idea why. He might be able to prove he’s been spending the night at women’s houses, but his motivation isn’t one he can prove. Which means his consideration of a potential threat isn’t a solid indication of his innocence.
Fuck this world we live in.
My frustration threatens to boil up, my fingers itching to hurt someone. That would be easier than all this. Would relieve the stress.
Mikhail’s sculpted chest with my G carved on it comes to mind and makes me clench my thighs together. Why the hell does the guy have to be so damn sexy?
And capable?
And… well, good company?
Noting Eric’s curious expression, I look away and survey the table. Most people have finished their plates, while I didn’t even put a decent dent into my own. I’d have to get Mellie to warm some up for me later.
I clear my throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “Perhaps we could use this time to go over what went wrong yesterday.” I say it as innocently as I can, pretending ignorance to the fact that this isn’t something my father would have brought up in front of the capos.
I don’t think the present men will count it against me, instead, they look eager to be included. Something I ought to keep in mind. Money is a strong motivator but status and feeling included can be as powerful, if presented in the right light.
“Do you think now is the right time to discuss such matters,” my uncle asks, and the frown on Mateo’s face tells me I was right in my earlier observation. My uncle just shot himself in the foot by wanting to exclude the capos from this conversation.
Time to double down.
“We have some of our best men gathered here. It seems these are the best people to help sort out the security problems at the games that have gone unnoticed until now.” I intentionally praise my loyal men, while emphasizing that my uncle alone was unable to run a secure ship. This isn’t a debate club, it’s the Mafia, and I’m ready to fight for the damn crown.
In fact, I put my elbows on the table, twirling my father’s large ring around my thumb, noting several men’s eyes landing on my hand, noting the move.
The way my uncle’s face reddens tells me he’s growing angrier, which is perfect if I want him to be less attentive. Less capable of filtering his thoughts. Emotions are killers. They distract and cloud your judgment. My own grief did just that to me when I rushed to get revenge. And my uncle encouraged it, so this is merely fair payback.
For a moment I’m unsure Uncle Mario will actually answer, but then his eyes flit to check the expressions of the men sitting at the table and he knows he can’t avoid it. He might have made mistakes that led him here, but he isn’t a stupid man. Just a misogynistic one.
And maybe a murderer.
“The attack, if you even want to call it that, was merely a few smoke grenades. Nothing more. None of our men or players were harmed, and I don’t doubt they’ll all be back at the next game.”
I nod, approvingly, knowing it will irritate the heck out of my uncle. “That’s good. I will still provide you with a new location to set up in, to be sure. Perhaps we can also have one of you men,” I look around the table, “join Uncle Mario’s crew with your people to ensure we don’t have a repeat incident. After all, someone did manage to get through the security perimeter and into the building.”
When I see the gleam in my uncle’s eyes I know I gave him something to pounce at. “Yes, indeed. It is curious, but it seems someone managed to get into the house through the side door without breaking it and despite the security system. I wonder how someone could have gotten access to the codes.”
The way he presents it obviously throws suspicion my way, but luckily I can sidestep this easily enough. Despite that fact that he hit bullseye with his assumption. Clearly he had time to consider my involvement.
“You’re right, Uncle. Since your entire crew would have had access to the code, we’ll need to review each of them and determine whether they ought to continue to be involved. And what punishment may be appropriate. In the meantime, we should have Romeo’s crew take their place. Perhaps with Leonard’s men as back-up.”
Nods around the table tell me the men are happy enough with that direction, though Uncle Mario’s narrowed eyes ensure I know he won’t let this be the end of it. There will be retaliation. Though not right now, since plates have been cleaned off and Samantha and Mellie come in to take away the dishes.
