Page 13 of Red Retaliation

For once, Liam is right with what he said last night after locking Arianna away. She’s an enemy. On top of that, she’s dangerous. Her husband’s cock is testimony to that. And regardless of what she said, it could be a setup.

Either way, her being here causes me big fucking problems. I don’t want to get rid of her, and that worries me.

Wanting a Galvatore is disrespectful and downright wrong. I cannot andwill notbetray my parents’ memory.

“Red?”

Realizing I haven’t acknowledged nor answered Del’s question, I pull myself into check. I’ve killed people for questioning me once, let alone twice. As the boss, no one has the right to question me, but Del is different. Working together from the start - long before my place within the family allowed my rise within the ranks - he’s more like a brother than the ones who are by blood. He’s the only one who speaks to me as an equal. My brothers are my brothers, but Del is myfriend.

There aren’t many people I say that about.

Glad my arousal has diminished, I’m able to look Del in the face. “I’m at a loss over what to do about the girl.”

Del nods. “Yeah, Oscar told me what happened.”

I bristle. “What’s Oscar said?” Did my brothers sense the instant pull that woman has on me? Did they catch a glimmer of what invaded my thoughts last night?

“The rumors aren’t rumors?” Del pulls his cigarettes out of his pocket and offers me one, which I gladly take.

“Bristoni is dead.”And that I believe. “The question now is what we do about it. As you can guess, rather than thinking Roberto’s own wife is behind it, they’ll presume it was down to us. There will be a war.”

Del blows a thin stream of smoke out towards the high ceiling and cuts straight to the chase. “Are we going to off her?”

I chew my lip, then slowly smile. The smile spreads across my face, giving me that warm feeling I get when I think of payback. “Not yet.” Although I’d like to kill Arianna for getting in my head and disturbing my concentration.

Del waits patiently while I take a leisurely drag of my cigarette andcontemplate. I need to be sure before voicing anything, and now I am. This will kill two birds with one stone.

“The Galvatores and Bristonis likely think we murdered Roberto and snatched Arianna. Although we didn’t, we’ve got her now, so we’ll keep her. Let them think they’re right and we’ll wait, ready for their retaliation.”

“Yeah, but afterwards, do we kill her or send her back? Use her as leverage andthenkill her, sending her back to Daddy in small chunks?” Del chuckles.

I grin. “I haven’t decided yet, but she’s asked for my help, and therefore she’ll get it.” My smile widens. “However, she’ll get nothing for free and so, yes, I’ll use her to leverage our position in this city with that pair of antiquated Eyetie firms. They need to step aside!”

Del nods. “You’ll have to act fast in making a move. These bastards won’t let the grass grow under their feet before organizing retaliation for what they likely believe isourpart in it.”

I nod. That is true.Verytrue. However, I also have a business to run and an additional issue to deal with that we’ve known about, or at least,suspected, for some time. And now it’s the day of reckoning.

I frown. It’s one of those things that none within the inner circle - me especially - want to be correct about. Unfortunately, all other explanations are now exhausted.

I jerk my head at the crates. “Arrange to get this lot sectioned out and dispatched to our territories for cutting.” We’re not stupid enough to do that part of the process here at my mainly above-board casino.Thatside of the drug arm is undertaken offsite, which brings its own set of problems...

Ones I genuinely thought I ran a tight and feared enough ship never to encounter. But now even that is looking dubious.

“I’ll get on to it.” Del pulls his hand over his shaved head and looks at me with a tinge of disappointment over the situation we find ourselves in. I feel the same.

“I want the money from each man after delivery, and I want it within twenty-four hours,” I mutter. “We’ll then know for sure if we have a thieving traitor in our midst.”

Because somewhere in my trusted second tier, someone is skimming cash off these cocaine drops. After today’s final count, I’ll know exactly who that is.

My mouth curls on one side. Disappointing, yes, but not as disappointing orfinalas it will be for whoever thinks themselves brave or clever enough to pull stunts to cunt me off.

CHAPTER

8

Arianna

IBLINK AS BRIGHT SUNSHINE assaults my eyes. Did I forget to shut the curtains? Roberto goes crazy if there’s the hint of a chink of light through the...