Page 32

Dominic

A s we all sit in my office, trying to figure out when and where Jimmy is going to show his face, I run a hand down my face. He wants to offer Gwen to me in exchange for erasing his debt so he can live his life.

“We need to go through every document at the real estate office and the spa to see who has rented anything in the last month. Anyone that looks suspicious or out of place,” I tell them. It’s been fifteen hours since Jimmy took Gwen.

“Carmin, you and Santino go to the spa. Go through everything you can. Trey, take one of Carmin’s men with you to Romona’s office and bring back anything you can find on the houses that have been put on the market. Bash and I are going to Gwen’s to see if there’s anything there.”

I leave them to get ready and make my way back down to the basement. The stench of piss is strong. Lily and Romona still hang where I left them, their heads drooped down. I walk over to Romona, pulling my switchblade from the pocket of my jeans, pressing it to her sternum. Her head snaps up, eyes flying open.

“There you are. I thought we lost you for a minute,” I say, sliding the blade down her dirty skin, leaving a thin trail of blood. Her scream is bloodcurdling, bouncing off the concrete walls of the basement. “Did you know my grandfather raised my father to never let emotions interfere with taking a life? And my father drilled that into me never feel sorry for someone who wrongs you. Someone without morals. Someone who would throw you under the bus.”

Her glare sharpens, but I ignore it as Lily starts to come to. I keep my focus on Romona. “Family is everything in my world. Gwen is my family now. Which means if I have to kill you, I won’t feel a damn thing about slitting your throat for my girl.” Romona swallows hard. “You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to send that piece of shit after her? I had no choice. It was either I agree to take her out of the picture or Lily and I lost our partnership.”

“Your only daughter was kidnapped by the same man who beat her for years. A man who planned to hand her over to the mafia king so I wouldn’t kill him for the money he stole. And you think your business illegally thriving makes that, okay?” I scoff.

Romona snorts, and Lily chimes in. “I wanted her gone. You didn’t need her. You needed me. We could have worked together with the escorts and the houses. You could have been on top with us.” I laugh at the thought.

“Darling, you can’t get any higher in this world than I already am. Tell the truth, Lily. You wanted my reputation to gain leverage.” She doesn’t say another word. I grab the chain, letting it drop to the ground, then fist Lily’s hair and drag her across the cold floor. Her legs kick, her ass gliding over the concrete. I throw her onto the medical table, knocking the little breath she has left from her lungs. She gasps for air. Quickly, I grab the leather strap and wrap it tight around her arms, securing them against the table. She struggles, but she’s weak. It takes no effort to pry her fingers free when she tries to make a fist.

I pull her middle finger straight, studying every wrinkle down to her polished nail. Then, without hesitation, I slide my knife over the flesh between the proximal phalanx, severing the digit clean. A scream rips from her throat, raw and ragged, as she gasps for air between cries. “Now, every time I ask you something and you don’t answer, I will slice off another piece.”

Okay, I will tell you, I promise,” she says while tears run down her dirty face. “Now, see, I am an understanding man, but I just don’t trust you,” I say, looking at the blood dripping off the slick metal of my blade. “No, I will tell you, I promise. There’s a cabin right outside of town. I never put it on the market because the owner is still there for now. His name is Jo. Jo Edison. He lives by himself on Route 2.”

This is new information. That explains why every house the guys searched in the last twenty-four hours turned up empty. She was smart enough not to put it on the market yet. I pull out my cell and dial up Bash. “New information,” I tell him before he can say hello. “Get down here.” Then I end the call.

As Romona’s severed finger lies on the floor, blood pools on the medical table. Lily lifts her head just enough to see her business partner crying. “Well, we better get this bleeding to stop. Can’t have you dying just yet,” I tell her just as Bash comes down the steps.

“Apparently, there is a guy named Jo who has been housing our friend Jimmy.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, my phone notifies me that the camera in Gwen’s room has caught movement. Clicking the app, I see a man in dirt-covered clothes with stringy hair knocking shit off her dresser and going through every drawer. Turning my phone to Bash, I let him get a look. Then I turn to the two imprisoned women in the basement of my nightclub.

“Seems like Jo has found his way to us. Let’s go have some fun, Bash.” We head up the stairs and out to our motorcycles. Revving the engine, I throw it into drive, and we take off in the direction of Romona’s house. As the brick house comes into view, I spot an Uber parked outside the cast iron gate.

Parking our bikes, we slide our helmets off and approach the front door, which is left open. Pulling the .45 from my waistband, I point the barrel in front of me. Bash does the same. “Find Levi. Make sure he isn’t hurt,” I whisper to him. He moves down the hall as quiet as a mouse, checking every corner. I can hear items breaking upstairs in Gwen’s room.

I make my way up the staircase, gun ready, waiting for this motherfucker to step out in front of me. Sneaking up the last step before reaching her room, I hear a ripping noise. Stepping into the doorway, I see the piece of shit straddling her bed with a knife in his hand, slashing the mattress over and over.

Pointing my gun at his head, I watch him continue tearing apart the feather-top mattress. I close one eye, focusing on the spot where his brains will splatter. “Find what you were looking for?” I say, startling him. He jumps off the bed, standing in the corner with the knife raised, pointing it at me. I could almost laugh at the stupidity. “I’m sure you can imagine the outcome of bringing a knife to a gunfight.” Cornered like a trapped mouse, he begins to panic. “The money is here! Take it. Take it all. That’s what you want anyway, right?” Sweat pours down his greasy face.

I let out a laugh. “Where’s Jimmy? Don’t get yourself killed over false loyalty.” He wipes the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. “I’m just doing what I’m paid to do,” he mutters, inching backward around the bed.

“I know.” I release the hammer on the back of my gun. “Now, you’re going to do what I tell you to do.” His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard. “Take out your phone and call Jimmy. Tell him you have the money and that he should go ahead and make the deal for Gwen.” He nods, his hands shaking as he pulls the phone from his pocket. “The second I think you’re about to tell him I’m here, I shoot you where you stand, and these walls get painted with parts of your brain. Understand?” He swallows again, his fingers trembling as he dials. The line rings, and then Jimmy picks up. “Did you find it? Was it where she said?” Jimmy’s voice is sharp, waiting for Jo to elaborate.

Jo clears his throat, trying to steady himself. “Yeah, boss. Under the mattress, just like she said.” He keeps his eyes locked on me. “Well, was it all there?” Jimmy presses. “Yeah, boss. It’s all here. I’ll be on my way in a few. Maybe you should make the deal tonight so we can get the hell out of here,” Jo says, swallowing another lump in his throat.

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m ready to get out of here. Lily isn’t answering my calls anyway. I’ll call and set it up for tonight. Get back here quick Gwen is starting to come to, and I’m gonna need your help carrying her.” The blood in my face boils with hatred. My grip tightens on the gun. I whisper to Jo, “Tell him to send you the address once he sets the meeting. Say you’ll meet him there.” Jo nods quickly. “Boss, send me the address. I’ll meet ya there early.”

There’s a brief hesitation before Jimmy agrees. The call ends. Bash pops his head into the room, a scared-looking Levi standing behind him. “Oh man, I wanted to find him. Shit, you always get all the fun,” Bash grins. I glance at Levi. His eyes are red, and he looks like he’s been crying. I remind myself that not all kids were raised on violence and murder like we were. “Bash, take over for me and get the phone,” I say. Bash winks at the guy, smiling like a kid in a candy store. I slide out of the room, grabbing Levi’s arm, and head back down the stairs. The moment I step away, shots ring out behind me, echoing in my ears.