Page 15 of Ruthless King

I settle into my chair and glance up at my friend. “So, what’s the status on the new project?”

“Not good, I’m afraid.” He scrapes at the thick, dark scruff on his chin. “The commissioner is blocking our petition for the gambling cruise.”

“Didn’t you speak to him?”

He nods. “He’s not interested in the money.”

I scoff. Everyone is interested in money. He must be getting greased by another player. “Show him the pictures of him and his mistress. I’m sure that’ll interest him.”

“Will do, boss.” He glances at his phone, scanning the notifications and scowls. “What about that asshole from Meatpacking that owes you for last month’s shipment?”

“Take him to the pawn shop. If he won’t pay with money, he’ll pay with his damned blood.”

“Right-o, I’ll get Eddie on it.” He scrolls across the screen and glances up again. “And that debt Jianjun offered you to acquire?”

“Yeah, let’s go ahead and take him up on that.”

“Good, that’s it for me then.” Tony ticks his head at the textbook at the end of my desk. “I’ll drop the book off after I visit the old man?”

I reach for the Economics book and shake my head. “Nah, I’ll take care of this. I’ve been meaning to take a walk in the old hood.”

His dark eyes chase up to my brow, and his lips twist. “You sure you want to risk a run-in with the Red Dragons again?”

“I’m itching for it, Tony.” My fingers clench into tight fists. A light purple hue darkens my knuckles. It’s been a while since I’ve handled my own dirty work, but damn, did it feel good today.

“Behave yourself,SignorValentino.” Clara pokes her head in without knocking.

If I didn’t love my assistant like a second mother, I would’ve chewed her head off. No one comes into my office without warning. It is essential to my business.

She saunters in, swinging her hips like she’s some diva. In an office full of males, she knows she runs the place. “Don’t you think one fight is enough for a day?” Her warm brown eyes lock on the cut across my brow.

I shoot Tony a narrowed gaze. “Is nothing private around here?”

He shrugs, a sheepish smile crossing his lips. He’s about a decade over my twenty-seven years, but we all know who’s the boss around here. Clara.

“Luca, you know very well if I don’t keep your mother apprised of the situation, she’ll come down here herself.”

“Oofa, that’s the last thing I need, especially with this shit with the Red Dragons going down.” My mamma is the love of my life, but for her safety, I keep her out of my business. She has little knowledge of my back-alley enterprises.

“Damned Dragons are trying to take over the docks again. Phil just called, and they’ve offered him twice what we’re paying.”

“Merda,” I mutter. “Are the Red Dragons still operating out of that shitty restaurant in Chinatown?”

Tony nods. “Jianjun will be there, likely with the other members of the Chinese Triad. I wouldn’t just swing by alone,capo. Especially if you want to keep things on the up and up with the new debt acquisition.”

I crack my knuckles, the slight bruises sending a twinge up my hands. “I can handle myself, old friend.”

“I know you can, but we wouldn’t want to mess up that pretty little face of yours.”

I can’t help but grin. Tony’s like the big brother I never had. My biological older brother is an ass so we’re not exactly close.

“All those hot models will stop coming by if you ugly up that mug.”

“And you won’t get any of my sloppy seconds.” I shoot him a wicked grin.

“Hey, I’m not complaining, Luca. No way any of those gorgeous models would look at me otherwise.” He laughs, his broad shoulders bouncing.

“Oh, you two,smettila! Stop it. The way you treat those women, really, Luca, your mamma would just die if she knew.”