Page 53

Story: Cruel Betrayals

“So what is this secretive mission we are going on?”
“Have you heard about the vigilante gang called The Reapers?”
“Yeah, they are supposed to be some super secretive gang that no one knows who they are. They are like the Illuminati. We all know they exist, but we don’t know who they are.”
I raise an eyebrow. “The Illuminati? Really?”
I’ve never taken him to be a conspiracy theorist.
He shrugs and laughs. “What can I say? I love a good conspiracy theory. I love going down the rabbit holes. You never know what you will uncover.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “Anyway, back to The Reapers. An informant told me about an underground bar that The Reapers hang out in.”
“And you want to go in there and knock some heads together?”
“Yeah. I’m itching for a fight, and I know I don’t have to worry about judgment coming from you.”
He doesn’t hesitate to answer. “I’m always down for a bar brawl. Say no more.”
A smile grows on my face. “That’s the answer I was hoping for. I also have plans for the Rossi estate, but I need time to gather all the supplies for that mission.”
“Well, you can count me in on that one, too. I promise not to go overboard.”
“Tonight, you can go as hard as you want. Just get back to my car as soon as you can if shit hits the fan, because I will leave without you.”
“Hey, I can take care of my own. Why do you think I have all these muscles?” He flexes his arms, showing off the years of hard work.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I say as I turn off of the main road to take the smaller, lesser known back roads.
“Don’t be jealous. You’re finally catching up. Within a year, you’ll be where I am.”
Yeah, only because I’m sexually frustrated and refuse to beg Alexandra. At least until I find out what she’s hiding. I’m not above groveling and begging, but I need to know what she’s hiding first.
I follow a police officer past the park and through the historic district. He finally turns off into the back parking lot of a small pub, and I slowly ease past him.
He stares at my car longer than necessary before turning around.
“Whew.” Gage pretends to wipe his forehead. “I just knew he was going to come after us.”
“He thought about it, but I’m the only one in this town with this car, so he must know it’s me.”
“I guess it’s a good thing the police don’t really mess with you.”
“That’s because we pay their salary.”
He leans forward in his seat. “You what?”
“My family donates a hefty sum to the local police department.”
“So, you bribe them?”
“Bribes are illegal.” I grin and glance over at him. “We contribute to the betterment of the city.”
He chuckles and leans back. “I guess I’ve got a lot to learn about your family and what happens away from the public eye.”
“You have a lifetime to learn.” I say in a serious tone.
It’s true. He has the rest of his life to learn about the customs and traditions of a mafia family.