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He laughed, harsh and sarcastic. “Nicola. I delegate. You should know that about me. You did spend months by my side, though it should have been between my knees.”
She ignored that and pointed to David. “You delegated to this guy? I’ve learned a lot about him recently. You should really pick better team members.”
“Shut up,” David snapped.
“Seriously. I can tell you that one bomb didn’t do shit, because I spoke to the man whose truck blew. And my parents? Trust me, if you went after my parents, someone’s already on it. Two dud bombs. And to top that off, you did a piss poor job of entering the local arms market. I’m telling you,Antilla, I didn’t expect you to pull the door-to-door salesman routine after your network was disrupted. I expected you to run off to South America or the Middle East to reassure your best clients. Virginia good ole boys seem so beneath you.”
“Shut up!” David yelled.
“What are you speaking of? Of course, I’m reorganizing after this CIA disaster.”
“You’re not moving product?”
“No. To local Americans? Not at all.”
Wait a minute. Smooth didn’t sell the ammo.David’s face wore a splash of dread. “It couldn’t be this simple.”
“Shut up!” David yelled again. “Stupid woman can’t keep her mouth shut.”
Antilla glanced at David but spoke to Nic. “What do you mean simple?”
“I saw Smooth ammo. Only days ago. Your emblem, .50 cal, tracer, incendiary tipped. It was purchased by some yahoos in somewheresville, Virginia. I had thought,” she pointed at Antilla, then moved her finger toward David, “…but, I wouldn’t put it past this smarmy dude—”
David smacked her silent. The sting roared from cheek to chest, fireworks exploding behind her eyelids.God, that hurts.
Nicola blinked fast, tears welling, then looked down. Her feet were planted on the weed-pocked parking lot. She was still standing. Small accomplishments were amazing at times like this. The stars faded from her watering eyes just in time to focus on Antilla. Rage boiled across his face.
“No. No. No.” David lifted his hands. “It wasn’t me. I told you I worked with the Gianori—”
“The Gianori mob doesn’t need my ammunition or arms. I do not sell to them. They do not move my product.” Antilla took a step toward David, who shrank into himself. “Tell me again about the Gianori mob.”
“Sorry. S-orr-y.” David’s voice shook. “I meant to say that I hired them to build and plant the bombs.”
“And why would they do that for you, David? Give me a logical reason why,” Antilla growled. “Now.”
“Because…”
“Because they also wanted Nicola. Am I correct? You mentioned she could be leverage for another project. The Gianori mob wants her? You had no intention of leaving her with me?”
“I, uh… I figured if you finished with her, they could have a go at her. Both of you wanted retribution. Offing her family would do that…” David’s teeth chattered as he stammered in rhetorical circles.
“Am I stupid, David?”
“No, sir.”
“But you played games with me?”
“Not games. But I thought you’d appreciate the Gianoris taking out her family. You always say bloodshed requires equal or more blood. Her parents for your brother.”
“And you stole from me?”
“I didn’t. It wasn’t much. Throwaways. Please. Please, let me explain.”
“But above all, you thought you could deceive me?” Antilla laughed loudly and evilly. He looked at the driver. “Shoot him.”
David fumbled for his concealed, wetting himself and moaning more explanations.A single pop and David coughed up blood. That throat shot would take several seconds to finish him off. Nicola watched blood gurgle and sputter as his hands tried to close off the wound.
Seconds later, it was over. David’s crimson-lacquered fingers remained near his neck.