Page 123 of Dirty Hearts

I couldn’t lose them. Wouldn’t.

Failure was not an option.

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The wind lifted the ends of my coat and my hair as I stepped onto the roof of the warehouse. Whenever I came to the docks, I never ventured this far because to me it was a tomb. Marissa’s tomb. Her grave was bad enough, but this was the place she died. What we buried of her was…

No… don’t think …

I had to stay focused. I had to. Needed to.

About twenty feet away from me was Goliath with another two guys. The guys had their guns at Pa’s head, and Goliath stood beside them with a smile that widened when he saw me.

I was looking at Pa though. They’d messed him up real bad. His face was black and blue with bruises. And swollen. Blood stained his white shirt.

The sight made me sick, and the guilt washed over me.

I stopped paces away from them and held up my hands to show I had no weapons.

Luc and the others were stationed around the two warehouses opposite us. Knowing they were here gave me hope. It wasn’t like last time when I’d had no one.

As I looked at Pa, I was reminded of the meeting Dad, Luc, and I’d had with Raphael years ago. Raphael had chosen Luc to take over the business, and it had pissed me off because I’d felt I deserved it more. I’d wanted it bad because I saw myself as a leader. I saw myself as the kind of man who could run the show and have a handle on the vast expanse of what the business covered. Then Luc gave me the business. He gave it to me, and I had that dream all over again.

When Goliath told me his demands, it felt like nothing to give the business away.

But would it be in exchange for Pa and Ava?

That played on my mind the whole way here.

“Claudius and Marcus Morientz. You know, seven years ago, I didn’t know who I was in the company of.” Goliath laughed. “Thought you were just a grunt looking to make an extra buck. But maybe back then you were. Look at you now, all grown up and mafia boss. You did good, kid.”

“Don’t fuck with me!” I roared. My voice carried across the way. “You’re only alive because you have my father. I’m here, we’re doing business. Now, let him the fuck go.”

Goliath laughed. “You must be mistaken making such demands. From where I’m standing, looks like I’m the one who calls the shots here. Not you,boss.”

“Just out of interest what do you get?” It was curiosity.

“Wow, you concerned about me? Don’t worry I’ll get my prize. It just so happens to be whatever I want.”

“Let’s just get this over with. Give me my father first, then I’ll hand you the business.”

Now, he roared with laughter. Of course, he would.

“You really think you’re running this show, don’t you?”

God, the plan was for my guys to move or do something the minute they saw a chance.

Right now, the men with Pa had their guns too close.

They could shoot him. I had Dante stationed on the water tower to my right with a rifle. He was a good shot and would have taken the shot by now if he’d seen a chance.

Goliath was mine to deal with in whatever way.

“I’m making my demands. At least get the fucking guns away from him.” My heart started galloping when I thought this might not work.

It might not work.Then what? Fuck.