Page 9 of Fixate (Devious Mafia Daddies #2)

Ricardo

“If this motherfucker doesn’t answer me,” I grumbled as I stared down at the chain of texts on my phone. It was just a long row of me sending off messages, them showing as read, and getting nothing in return.

Pharrell had said he’d keep in touch with us once he returned to Vegas. We had a vested interest in how his business ran. More than that, we were witnesses to his wife’s deception.

How would we help him if he wouldn’t. Answer. The. Damn. Phone?

I’d tried to let it go. For weeks, I worked on helping Dante and Preacher. I made sure they didn’t want for anything, whether it was an errand run or to sit in as protection detail for a meeting. If I could step in, then I did.

But this was different.

Pharrell wasn’t a short drive away. He was across the country, alone and facing who knew what. It made me irrationally angry.

Him ignoring me only further fueled the fire.

The lack of communication had me unsettled in a way I couldn’t understand. Why did I care so much? What was it about this man that had me so in knots?

It had been three weeks since the takeover and things were not looking to calm down soon. If anything, they’d only become more intense.

Dante had found birth certificates among his father’s paperwork in the office. Apparently, Domenico had other children — meaning Dante had siblings.

They all agreed to come out once they knew Domenico wouldn’t be an issue. I’d greeted them myself, making sure to get a feel for how they’d be once they came to see their new brother.

Ravina, the mother and previously Domenico’s lover, was a beautiful woman. Her warmth radiated when she greeted me like I was an old friend. I immediately felt no worry at her presence.

Her three children — Marisol, Javier, and Leeland — were less warm with me, though I figured it was because I wasn’t their brother. Their focus was getting to Dante, and I was a hindrance.

I didn’t stay in the room during their visit; however, I was close enough to hear the words exchanged. It was obvious the group had loads to catch up on. They’d share a common evil, which might have gone further to bond them than the blood relation even.

As I listened in; my heart ached for that kind of connection. I didn’t wish for siblings, but I did hope to one day have more . Life was lonelier now more than ever. I’d never noticed how far Domenico’s seclusion of my life had gone. Dante was the only real friend I had.

And now he had Preacher and his family. He didn’t need me.

No one did.

For the few days after they arrived, I thought over what it meant for me that I felt like I was alone. Did I even need to stay here to help? Would I be beneficial elsewhere?

At the same time, I kept trying to reach Pharrell for some kind of update. My contacts in the area told me there appeared to be tension in the city, though none had inside knowledge.

Pharrell had tightened his ranks upon his arrival back home — as he should. It only meant I was locked out unless the man himself gave me the information I wanted.

One night, I laid in bed thinking over everything again. It was when I realized I could fix both problems with one solution.

I needed to go to Vegas.

Being there would mean I could not only check on Pharrell, but I could also see if there might have been a space for me in a new city. Maybe I would have a home that felt like mine after all. A place to build friendships and one day have a family.

Not that I could even picture it. The idea of happily ever after was foreign to me. I’d learned not to think past the present since the future was so uncertain.

I waited until the next morning to approach my bosses about the change. It would do no good to hunt them down so late at night. I might even wind up catching them in a compromising position again. It wasn’t on my list of things I wanted to experience.

Preacher told me they had time to meet right away when I called for a meeting with Dante the next morning. I gave myself a quick pep talk, then made my way through the compound until I reached the office.

Knowing it would do no good to drag it all out, I blurted out the main point. “I’m moving.”

“What?! Why?!” Dante’s panicked cry had me feeling a shred of guilt over the change. He’d been too busy to notice me pulling back bit by bit. It wasn’t his fault I needed this change.

Preacher watched me closely, his gaze far too knowing. If I didn’t give some type of answer, he’d probably create one of his own. I feared it would reveal more than I’d like.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on the divisions you set up on both coasts. The East is looking perfect. Not a single hiccup, and your men are more loyal than ever.”

“And the West Coast?” Preacher asked.

I couldn’t hold back a wince at the question.

“They are stable, though barely. Pharrell isn’t doing so hot.

Even though he had proof of Stasia’s treason, there were still some in her family who were angry at him for her death.

They felt she deserved to be punished like they did their wives instead of killed. ”

“So, they’d have rather him beat and starve her than for her to be dead? Yeah, makes total sense. Do you think they’re going to come after us? I mean, it wasn’t Pharrell that actually shot her.”

Preacher was upset. Rightfully so. He only wanted Dante. The rest was just a headache for him.

Dante jumped in before we wound up debating things we didn’t need to. “What do you suggest? Are you going to take over the West Coast?”

“That’s not my goal, though I’m prepared to do so if needed. It’s more that I feel the need to intervene. Besides, you have Preacher here as your aid. There isn’t anything I’m doing that he can’t do or hasn’t already started handling.”

Preacher shook his head, like he didn’t agree with me at all. “You think too little of yourself, Ricardo. This organization needs you.”

“And it will have me. I’m just moving to a different place to ensure all of Dante’s work doesn’t go to waste.”

“There’s no other reason?”

I couldn’t hold his gaze when I replied, “Nothing at all. Are we good?”

Dante gave a weary sigh, then walked around the desk. He wrapped me in a big hug, then immediately went to sit in Preacher’s lap. I smiled at the sight, knowing the two of them would be ok without me.

“I will miss you, friend. But... I also understand when you feel called to handle something. Should I let Pharrell know you’re coming, or is this meant to be a surprise?”

I shrugged, not wanting to feed the suspicion Preacher held. “I have no opinion either way. He’ll find out how serious I am about helping when I show up soon. Stasia did a lot of the work with him, and even from afar, I can feel the system over there crumbling.”

“When do you leave?” He asked while rubbing Dante’s back. My stomach clenched at the want I felt watching the movement.

Did… did I want someone to comfort me that way?

No. Surely not.

“An hour from now. I came in to plead my case should you have been inclined to try to stop me. But since you’re understanding of things, I’ll be able to head out earlier than expected.

” I put on my best poker face to hide the feelings that roared through me.

My fists were tight, and my mouth puckered from the way I held myself back.

Dante gave me a nod to let me know he accepted my leaving. While he could have fought for me to stay, I knew my friend wasn’t so caught up in our connection to let Pharrell’s territory go unchecked. If nothing else, I needed to complete that part of my goal.

Preacher put his hand out in my direction. I took it, then went wide-eyed as he pulled me into a short hug. Dante was between us, though the other man didn’t seem to mind.

“Good luck with him,” he whispered lowly.

I tried to pull off a look that said ‘I have no clue who you mean,’ though I don’t know if I pulled it off. Not wanting to risk it, I left shortly thereafter.

I had a plane to catch. There was no time to waste.

Vegas was stifling. The heat felt a million times worse after being in the cool air of the chartered plane I took. It was my final perk from the Romano family since I wouldn’t be able to travel commercially with my weapons.

And I never went anywhere without at least two pieces on me.

The drive from the airport to the address I had for Pharrell was tedious. I knew the city had a prominent nightlife, but even the daytime seemed to be teeming with tourists. The money flowing through the area had to be great.

I thought over ways to further monopolize the foot traffic while we crept slowly closer to our destination.

The driver was quiet, a soft jazz on the radio keeping it from being completely silent.

It was best that way. I didn’t need to show up annoyed as fuck when I was already furious with the man for giving me half-ass answers for weeks.

With my presence here, he’d have to respond to me. It was that or give me the cold shoulder. I hoped the latter wouldn’t come into play. There was nothing I hated as much as being ignored.

Some doctor might say it had to do with my issues with Domenico and his need to make me feel invisible so much of the time. Even when he gave me the task of taking Dante away under the guise of protection, I was merely meant to be his shadow.

Always in the background.

I shook away the thought as a home came into view. There was a massive gate around the area, with armed guards patrolling the entry.

The driver gave me a look in the mirror, and I smirked. “This is where you drop me. Thanks for the lift.”

I tipped him before climbing from the car. I grabbed my bags, then walked right up to the security hut.

“Stop right there. Who are you?”

“I’m Ricardo. Dante Romano sent me to check in with Pharrell.”

The guy who’d called out froze at the mention of Dante. Seemed his power reached this farm as well. Or at least his family name did.

“I… I need to verify this, sir. Just a moment.”

I watched as he picked up a phone and called what I suspected was the main house. My grin didn’t fade as he spoke, nor when he winced and nodded.

Pharrell was likely asking him a bunch of questions about my arrival. He probably didn’t believe I’d come all the way out here. At least not this soon.

But I was unsettled. His quietness drew me into this fucked up web of problems he’d found himself in. With my previous position no longer necessary, it only seemed right to come this way.

The guard hung up the phone and rushed over to me. “Mr. Lyon said to head straight up. He’ll meet you at the main entry. One of the others will drive you.”

I turned to see him pointing at a tricked-out golf cart type vehicle. It was all black in that way all of us mafia types loved. Hell, I was in a black suit, so I had no room to judge.

My bags were tossed on the back of the cart, then we were on our way down a long, curvy driveway. When we finally reached the front of the house, the man driving me rushed to help me get my things. I would have laughed if he didn’t appear utterly terrified.

Before he could drive away, the front door opened. I swore I heard him squeak, then there was the sound of an engine revving and tires squealing.

“That seems like an excessive reaction,” I said as I turned to face Pharrell for the first time in a month.

My breath caught at the sight of him. He looked different.

Very different.

Deep purple had settled in under his eyes. There was a vacant look in them, and his clothes appeared to be hanging off his frame.

“Are you sick? What’s going on?”

I moved past him, depositing my bags off to the side of the door as I questioned him. Unlike every other time we were together, his gaze didn’t drink me in. Instead, he appeared confused at my presence.

“What? I’m not sick. Why are you here, Ricardo?”

Not wanting to answer that outright, I changed the subject. “Are you hungry? Let’s see what kind of food you’ve got in this place. Where’s the kitchen? I can cook something. Unless you have a cook. Then they could —”

My ranting was cut off by the feel of his hand at my neck. He backed me against the wall by the door, making it clear he wanted my attention.

Same, motherfucker. Same.

“I asked you why you are here, Ricardo. I expect you to answer me when I speak to you.”

Despite his hold, I managed a laugh. “You expect an answer? That’s rich coming from the man who has ignored me for weeks. I’ve been trying to check in on you and you’ve ghosted me. Of course I came out here.”