Page 14 of Deadly Obsession

The envelope is opened already, which isn’t unusual since I have someone who checks all mail and packages delivered to any of my businesses.

I own a few nightclubs in Queens and Brooklyn. Underground Park Slope was my first business, and it’s now a front for my criminal empire—one that was left to me when my father died.

He began preparing me for the role since my teens, and I took over at age twenty-two, which means I have a long list of enemies who’ve tried to kill me more than once by sending poisons through letters and packages.

I extract a thick piece of paper from the envelope. It has beautifully written script on the front in gold with a Christmas-themed border of holly and mistletoe in silver.

It’s an invitation to Gio Lenetti’s Annual Christmas Party this weekend, held at the Wyndock Hotel in Midtown, Manhattan.

Gio Lenetti is the Don of the Empire Mafia. My rival. Why would he be inviting me to his party?

I’d understand if the invite was addressed to one of my aliases that I use for my businesses, but it’s not. It’s addressed to Elias Carter.

People know my name. They know I lead the Queensboro Mob but not many know my face. I tend to stay in the shadows during business deals. I’ll act as security and let one of my soldiers who has a similar build and appearance as me act in my place. Or even my uncle, Martin, leads meetings sometimes.

It’s worked well for me so far.

The invite alludes to a neutral night of festivities which could be the perfect opportunity to make connections, maybe try to lure some of Lenetti’s power players over to the QBM.

I don’t trust Gio, but he’s not an idiot. He wouldn’t be dumb enough to start a mafia war at a luxury hotel in Midtown, Manhattan.

What will happen if I show up and give them my name?

I guess I’ll find out.

Fucking Christmas.

Fucking Lenetti.

Why did I think it’d be a good idea to show up to his Christmas party?

I tried talking myself out of coming a million times because I hate both ChristmasandLenetti, but I’m too curious as to why I was invited.

Two Empire soldiers nod as I enter the hotel’s entrance.

They don’t stop me or four of my men who walk in behind me.

Either these Empire dickheads are new and don’t recognize me or were told not to do shit.

As we walk through the lobby, I point out spots where my soldiers can station, ready to move in if needed. I leave them behind and turn into a hallway outside of the ballroom where the party is taking place.

Two large men stand beside a woman with a clipboard, checking invitations while she verifies names. She doesn’t react when I give her my name, however, the two security guards make sure to give me a thorough pat down. They also inspect my invitation closer than anyone else in line ahead of me. With a curt, but somewhat suspicious nod of approval, they let me through.

Interesting. I at least expected some pushback at the security checkpoint.

Maybe all of Gio’s guards hate him as much as I do and don’t give a fuck about letting his rival in. Or maybe this reallyisa ‘neutral night of festivities’ as the invitation stated.

Or this is a trap, and they don’t expect me to leave this place alive. I don’t doubt Lenetti’s already been alerted of my arrival.

The party is well underway when I enter the grand ballroom.

The decor is tacky as hell. Reds, greens, and golds everywhere as if Santa and his elves got drunk and threw up all over the walls. The tree is nearly as tall as the room. Bows are wrapped around columns, and gold streamers hang from the ceiling. A string quartet plays an instrumental version of a popular Christmas song, and the cheerful music almost makes me turn around and leave.

I don’t celebrate Christmas. Not since my mother was killed the night before, twenty years ago.

I was the one who found her. I was only sixteen.

That’s the main reason why I decided to show up.