Page 15 of Mafia Scars

“No, honestly, I’d rather we cut the pleasantries.”

“That’s a shame, seemed like you’re a man who knows his drink. What can I do for you?”

“Who are you guys working for?” I decided on asking that first.

Demarco laughed. “Really, you expect me to just tell you?”

“No, I didn’t. But here’s hoping.”

“You know what, I’m in a real good mood, so I’m going to give you a few tips, only because this is all so good. It’s the most interested I’ve been in years.”

“I’m listening, but what do you want?” No way was he going to tell me anything without wanting something in return.

“To be left alone. We’ve done our part. Don’t need the next leader of the Chicago mafia on my back.”

“That all?” I narrowed my gaze and inclined my head to the side.

“Yes.”

I didn’t believe it. Something was up. Not sure yet what, but something was up. I could almost guarantee that before the night was out, he’d try to kill me.

“Okay, start talking.” I smiled.

“We don’t know who hired us, but we received a million each.”

“A million?”Unbelievable. Where the fuck did anyone get that kind of money to hand out?And each?

Sure, our circles were rich, but we didn’t hand out that kind of cash.

“A million each, for what exactly?”

“Find Raphael’s daughter and bring her inunharmed.”

“Unharmed?” I leaned forward. “How come unharmed? Is she needed for something?”

“You know, I think I’ve said enough. The thing is, we were also told to remove any obstacles, and you’ve been one preventing us from getting her.” The placid look on his face suddenly changed. I heard the clicking sound on the chair even before the manacles popped out from the arms.

Asshole,he didn’t know who he was dealing with.

I moved before he did and launched myself over the desk, gun in hand, then at his throat, making him drop that damn cigar. I was too quick for him. Here… right here, I could end him and kill him. Pop one right in his neck and end him now.

But that wasn’t my style.

“I thought you said you’d heard of me.” I chuckled close to his ear. He froze and went rigid. “You should at the very least know not to fuck with me.”

“You have less than a minute to escape. I’d take the warning if I were you.”

“Nah, man, the way I see it is this. You have less than a minute to tell me more.” I pressed the barrel against his throat and rubbed over his Adams apple. His breath hitched. “So, talk. Why do you need Amelia alive?”

Silence. He didn’t budge.

Maybe it was my cool demeanor. He must have been fooled and thought that I wouldn’t mess him up if I had to.

I hit him in his head with the back of the gun and pulled the trigger.

“Okay.” He winced. “Raphael has something they want. They want her as leverage to get it.”

“What is the something, asshole?”