Page 15

CHAPTER 15

“ A ll warfare is based on deception.”

—Sun Tzu

Havros

War. The art of knowing when to engage in battle was often what won wars. Those who didn’t listen or observe actions of others were doomed to defeat.

A proud statement by my uncle, repeated by my father more than once.

Dimitrios was itching for a war. Christos was hoping for peace.

I was somewhere in between.

The tenuous agreement set in motion by the five families of Italy’s regime had been stretched and tested over the last several years. Never so much as with the death of our brother. What I didn’t want to happen was for us to fall into the waves of deception, going blindly down a path of revenge that would ultimately lead us to destruction.

Whatever Christos was about to tell me would be taken with a grain of salt. It would also burn into the back of my mind.

The warehouse was quiet, employees told to stay away for the morning hours. By the time they returned for their shifts, the activity and subsequent cleanup would be complete.

We walked in through the main section, boxes of wine and other supplies neatly stacked on shelving units. Hidden in certain areas were already prepared crates, soon to be headed for the port and eventually to several other countries. We exported everything from precious diamonds to tobacco products, all considered legal, yet a dangerous proposition given the pirates always canvassing the Aegean Sea.

However, both Kara and Theo had been correct in their assumption. The family had become rich on heroin and arms deals. While we were phasing out that portion of our business, we would never be free from either product completely. There was simply too much money to be made.

I had no clue why I was reflecting on our various products, the billion-dollar business something to be grateful for. But on this day, it felt dirty. My footsteps echoed on the concrete floor as I headed to the back room. Very few people had a key, only the most trusted soldiers along with family members. I wondered when my father had been here last. Torture had been a method of relaxation.

I’d never understood until recently, although I preferred sailing and diving the depths of the sea to being covered in blood splatter.

Once inside the room, the old familiar stench of blood would forever remain. Decades of torture had offered the permanent odor and decay, something no chemical could ever dissipate.

I stood in the doorway, studying the man who’d been tracked and brought here. He was smaller in stature than I’d believed, although all muscle. The creaking sound of the chains holding his swinging body to the exposed beams was not the only noise. Aldo was already struggling, hatred building in his eyes as he cursed in Italian. His words were muffled, not that I cared to understand them. This wasn’t going to be a negotiation. At this stage, they never were.

He’d worked with Luca Marciano, once the arranged fiancé of Dimitrios’ first love, her death crushing the powerful Boss. Thankfully, Willow had brought my brother back to life. With Luca dead, Aldo as well as several other soldiers had mysteriously disappeared. At one point we’d believed them already dead. Then we realized they’d been lying in wait. At this point, my guess was they’d done their best to blend in with the Greeks so they could obtain intel regarding our organization. I didn’t buy their sudden desire to find and live another life.

Every one of them, including the broken man hanging from the beams, had shifted their loyalty to working for a powerful Cosa Nostra Cartel, Don Bernardi’s reign almost as brutal as my father’s had been. Except Don Bernardi was still in charge. The ruthless pig was as conniving as I’d experienced, enough so my gut told me it was only a matter of time until he reared his ugly head.

This time, we’d be ready to chop it off.

“What news do you have?” I wasn’t worried about Aldo overhearing the conversation. He’d reached the end of his life whether he believed that or not. I placed the bag on one of two tables in the room. While this one was wooden, a leftover archaic piece from close to fifty years before, the other table was made of steel. Much easier to clean.

“A trusted informant called with a tip. He told me that Bernardi was responsible for providing Theo with the information he broadcast.”

It wasn’t a tremendous shock. Dimitrios and I had discussed that very possibility. At least the confirmation provided additional reasoning for the brutal actions I would take today. “Interesting, although usually Bernardi is happy to take credit.”

“Maybe he wants us on edge.”

“It’s worth considering. So it’s your belief our friend arrived to survey the damage?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Christos admitted. “We need to deal with Bernardi.”

“Only if absolutely necessary. You know exactly the reason why it’s prudent to wait this out.”

“Maybe it’s time I step into the Enforcer position as requested.” He laughed bitterly. It was the last thing he wanted, but both our father and Dimitrios were closing to giving him no choice.

“Maybe so, but not today. I wouldn’t want you to lose perspective on what would happen if we started a war.”

He seemed miffed, but nodded. “But I’m staying. Who knows, brother. Maybe I’ll learn something valuable.”

I laughed and unbuttoned my jacket, pulling it off and tossing it over the end of the table. The man was still fighting, using up valuable energy. However, at some point the adrenaline would kick in when he realized he wasn’t going anywhere.

Except in a box.

Both Jonas and Tobias flanked Aldo’s two sides, standing like statues close enough they could provide assistance if necessary.

“Maybe you will,” I told him as I rolled up my sleeves before removing a pair of latex gloves. The small rubber apron fit nicely in the bottom of the bag, the most useful tool in my savage kit. Once again, my thoughts betrayed me by thinking about Kara and her surprise at seeing me wearing an apron for cooking.

This was one I’d never allow her to see.

“You really get into this, bro. It’s like watching a woodworker.” Christos was still harboring rage and resentment for our brother’s death, but at least he was laughing.

“You can never be too skilled or too rich.”

“That is very true.”

I selected a couple of my favorite tools, ensuring Aldo was watching everything I was doing. He wouldn’t be an easy man to break, which was why I hadn’t considered this to be a round of interrogation.

Aldo had made the lethal mistake of falling in love, getting married only recently. For those heavily involved in our business and especially soldiers, enjoying a woman was fine, but usually only temporarily. As I had mentioned to my kitten, relationships were widely used as a target when information was necessary. Marriage presented an opportunity that enemies salivated over. Torment the woman and the man would easily spill his guts.

Only those who’d ended their careers usually allowed themselves to fall away.

Even then it was risky.

Which was just another reminder I had to be careful. They seemed to be all around me.

I’d consider using the knowledge as a last resort. Sometimes even men supposedly in love didn’t break. Yet when the threat worked, it did so very well. After selecting the scalpel, a vise grip, and a specialized, very sharp hacksaw, I headed toward the steel table, placing them one at a time.

He was still muttering, the gag Jonas had used preventing anything but rattled noises. For the subjects who weren’t necessarily a part of the business but had somehow gotten themselves into trouble with our organization, often only psychological pressure was necessary. With a man like Aldo, I knew that wouldn’t do. But it was worth going through the effort. Maybe I’d get lucky.

I almost laughed at the thought. Luck wasn’t a part of my family’s repertoire. Hard work and perseverance were. With Aldo’s feet dangling on the ground, I had easy access. I walked closer, popping the gloves on purpose. I studied him carefully, noticing how his eyes followed mine as I lowered my gaze. He was in very expensive clothing, but oddly enough, wearing a cheap pair of Nikes on his feet.

Clues to the person’s intents could be found by observing details most overlooked. Such as clothing, the expensive watch the man was wearing.

And his shoes.

He was here to handle business, the sneakers tossed once his mission was complete. When I lifted his leg so I could see the sole of one, he attempted to pull it away.

Blood. He’d been captured just after handling whatever business he’d been brought here to take care of. I turned and looked at Christos, both of us walking toward Jonas. I led them from the room. This I wasn’t interested in allowing Aldo to overhear.

“Jonas, have some of our men head over to Theo’s apartment.”

“Why, boss?”

“Because I have a feeling you’ll find evidence he was in a recent skirmish.”

Christos sighed. “Bernardi?”

“If Theo is dead, I think we can assume your informant is correct, brother. Why don’t you call Dimitrios. He should be made aware the Italians might be doing some housecleaning.”

“You’re worried about the family?”

I studied his face. “I don’t want any chances taken.”

“Understood.”

Both men pulled out their phones while I returned to the backroom. “I see you’ve been a busy man while visiting our lovely city.” I yanked out the gag, placing it on the table beside the other items.

“What do you want, you fuck?” Aldo spit out.

“I would think you’d have a respectful attitude given the position you’re in.” I slowly looked up at the beam. With Aldo being held by his wrists and a cranking system installed years before, I could hoist him into the air.

When their feet dangled, most men would sell their soul or their mothers to be set free.

The act was tempting. Very tempting.

I’d see how much the man pissed me off prior to deciding whether or not to use it.

“I don’t have a lot of time. I’m certain you understand I’m a businessman at heart. Being forced to glean information from an enemy soldier doesn’t suit today’s mood. You can help me avoid annoyance and your certain agony by providing quick and easy answers.”

Very little surprised me any longer, but when he took the gag-less opportunity to hock and spit in my face, my anger surfaced. For all the times I’d prided myself in keeping my cool, this wasn’t one of them. I backhanded him with everything I had. The hard thumping noise caused by my fist managed to block out the creaking chains momentarily.

I pulled a cloth from the bag, wiping the glob from my face, immediately retrieving the scalpel. When I returned, I ripped open his shirt, exposing a series of colorful ink covering most of his chest. More and more soldiers were required to wear the colors of their regimes. Much like the gangs of old. Cartels still did it today, although the ink was replaced with their bodies being permanently carved.

Perhaps that’s what I would do prior to ending his miserable life. I showed him the medical instrument, offering a smile that could be confused as one of kindness.

“Tell me about Don Bernardi’s involvement in my brother’s death.”

He did nothing more than laugh.

I nodded to Tobias and he started the cranking process. Aldo’s eyes were even wider than before. “Given your former profession, Aldo, I assume you’re aware of exactly what will happen if you struggle in this position.”

“Go fuck yourself,” Aldo spat out.

Maybe he believed I’d go easy on him or worse, that I didn’t have it in me.

This was going exactly as I’d determined it would. Although I wasn’t finished yet. I checked my watch. I had a little time left. “Oh, I’ll do more than that later this evening. I’ll enjoy the company of a beautiful woman. Sadly, that won’t be the case for you.”

I waited to allow the news to sink in.

He acted as if what I’d just said didn’t matter so I continued, clarifying my words.

“I’m sure Maria is a lovely woman and settling down in Greece has altered your perspective on life. After we finish here, I’ll have to send some of my men to let her know of your passing. I’ll have to be careful who I send. Some of my men think that when dealing with snakes, you have to take out the whole family.”

I had no intentions of instructing anything so disgusting, nor would I ever allow it to happen under my command. He didn’t need to know that. I allowed my ruthless reputation to stand before me.

Now Aldo was sweating and squirming. Bingo. I’d found the right button to push.

“Don’t you dare touch my wife! Don’t you dare touch her.”

He had enough strength left in him that he was able to swing his body violently. In doing so, his elbows had already become hyperextended. If he wasn’t careful, he’d end up torturing himself.

“It’s simple. I’ll allow her to remain untouched and alive if you answer the question. It’s a simple one really.” Hearing a sound, I looked over my shoulder. Christos was standing with his arms folded, leaning against the back wall with a smile on his face. He was learning something.

Come to think of it, he’d never been with me while I’d handled this type of business before. The man needed to get his hands dirty for a change.

“Did Don Bernardi order the hit on my brother?”

He struggled again, the slight popping sound coming from his shoulder indicating I’d been right. “Oh, that must hurt like hell,” I told him.

His scream was high pitched. I’d often heard a dislocated shoulder was one of the most painful experiences in the world. Now I knew it to be true.

“Please. Don’t touch her. She’s innocent.”

“Not so innocent if she agreed to marry a thug like you.” I lifted my arm, tapping my watch. “You have thirty seconds to decide. If the thirty seconds pass, I’ll start with your tongue first, your other shoulder next. Then I’ll release the beasts. You can lie in your own pool of blood wondering how much your lovely bride suffered.”

I purposely walked toward the window and away from him. While the panes of glass were old and fogged over, the space was a welcome respite.

I was getting too old for this shit… Why hadn’t I brought Tylenol with me? Between the noise and the leftover odor of blood, my eyes were pounding from pain.

“Your time is up. Are you going to answer the question?” I walked around him, slowly turning so we could lock eyes.

He started to blubber and I was taken aback by the level of control being in love had on the man. Jesus Christ. He’d gone from a bloodthirsty killer to a slobbering lovesick puppy dog in a matter of weeks.

“Alright. I’ll make certain she’s conscious when I tell her how her husband died. Tobias, I’ll allow you to enjoy the removal of his tongue.”

My soldier knew to wait, although he stormed closer, removing his favorite tool, a special knife that was used for gutting fish.

When Tobias grabbed Aldo’s jaw, Aldo finally gave in.

“Wait. Please. Maria has nothing to do with this. She has no idea about my former life.”

“Your former life? You have blood on your shoes, Aldo.”

He tried to wrench his face away from Tobias’ hold, but the man’s hand was large and strong. “I have to put food on the table.”

I frankly didn’t give a shit who he’d killed, although Theo’s untimely death would bring the police sniffing around. We’d handle it.

“Fine, Aldo. We all do. Did Bernardi order the killing of my baby brother?”

Tears were streaming down his face. I rubbed my eyes, trying desperately to remove the headache. No such luck. I definitely needed a vacation.

“Yes. He did. Are you happy now?”

“So I gathered. Thank you for your honesty, Aldo. I told you that this would be nice and easy.” I headed toward the table, returning the items to the bag then removing the gloves.

“I heard he squealed like a fucking pig before he died.”

There was no rational explanation for his outburst other than he was pissed I’d gotten the upper hand.

I spun around, immediately jerking my gun from my pocket and in a knee-jerk reaction, I fired off three shots, killing him instantly.

What the fuck was wrong with the man? Unless he’d been told if caught he would not survive. Maybe he didn’t adore Maria as much as he’d insisted. Whatever the case, the near point-blank range and the number of bullets had all but destroyed his face.

Well, fuck, I’d ruined my jacket.

“I think you went a little easy on him, bro. Don’t you?” Christos’ voice was filled with agitation.

“Next time, handle it your way.” I walked closer, allowing my rage to show entirely too much. I’d broken the only set of rules I’d followed religiously. I’d allowed my emotions to get in the way. “And you will be required to handle it. Time for you to step up to the plate.”