Page 6

Y awning, I settle back in a chair. Glancing around, I approve of where they decided to host the meeting as the table is long, with enough room to stretch out.

Marcus is already with me, we’re just waiting on everyone else.

I’m still fucking exhausted from yesterday, but we need to start figuring this shit out.

Marcus knocks against my shoulder, and I glance over in annoyance. “You need to start getting some proper rest. Don’t make me ask Keegan to deal with you. Your nephew wants to see his Uncle Lio as well. He expected a family breakfast…”

I tug at my hair, frustrated that I let the ball drop on this.

“I’m sorry. We were rushing to get Antonio and the twins here.

I’m not sure what to do about family meals right now.

I know how important they are, but we’re a bit scattered, especially with Antonio being unable to leave here.

I’m not sure the Amatos would be willing to let us host family meals. ”

Roman and Jude enter just as I finish my statement.

My friend appears freshly fucked, and I’m slightly jealous.

Mainly, as I desperately need someone to put me on my fucking knees and release this stress.

Perhaps I should take Marcus up on Keegan’s offer.

However, there’s one person who I know can give me exactly what I want, and he slips into the room next—Hollis. And fuck if he doesn’t look delicious.

I carefully try to adjust myself, but from Marcus’s snort, it doesn’t come off nearly as nonchalant as I’d hoped.

Hollis is carrying a laptop, paperwork, and hell, I’m not even sure what everything else is in his hands.

At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had some fully constructed science fiction tool that he created.

Although, I don’t plan on telling him exactly how much his intelligence turns me on.

Benjamin walks in last, eyeing me furtively—not that it works.

I catch his eye as he visibly hesitates on where to sit.

By demand, he should be sitting next to me as my Second.

When he chooses to sit next to Hollis, I clench my hands into fists underneath the table, away from his sight.

Marcus touches my leg in comfort, but otherwise doesn’t draw attention to our fractured Family.

Even Hollis frowns at the situation, but I clear my throat, hoping to move on from the discomfort.

“We need to figure out how this fed managed to get so much information about us. There isn’t anyone that would know so much about both of our Families.

Even just looking at one Family, there’s no way they could gather that much. ”

“Hmm. Hacking?” Marcus asks, with a quick glance at Hollis. “At least, on our side?”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t make sense. We keep some of that information offline, or on a private network for a reason.”

Hollis clears his throat, drawing all of our attention to him. “While it’s true, being offline would make it more difficult to hack, it wouldn’t be impossible. Social engineering is easy enough to do—if it’s even needed. It could be someone who has access to the private network.”

Frowning, I exhale noisily. He has a fucking point, and I don’t like it. At all. Tapping my fingers on the table, I exchange a glance with Roman. “Really, my only thought is that someone has managed to create a network of moles. Which should be fucking impossible.”

The Amato Boss doesn’t look any happier about this announcement than anyone else gathered around the table.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to have a rebuttal.

Neither does anyone else, for that matter.

There’s a weighty silence in the room before Hollis starts passing out the lists for us all to study.

“If it is a network, which it better fucking not be, we need to pinpoint who would have access the various information on this list. Maybe if we can get an idea of where the information is coming from, we can determine some possible names.”

I nod at Marcus, as he’s right. Hollis rolls his neck, as if trying to get the tension out, and I have to bite my tongue before I offer him something else that could alleviate his stress. Marcus jabs my side, and I must not have held that thought in too well.

Roman snickers, and when I meet my Second’s eyes, they flash with something I can’t put my finger on. Jealousy? Fuck if I know.

I force myself not to think about it as the paperwork is handed out, and for the first hour, nobody really talks. It’s almost unnerving, but there’s so. Much. Fucking. Paperwork. I feel like I’m back in college, and am desperately in need of coffee before my eyes cross.

Pushing the paperwork away with a sound of disgust, I shake my head.

“This doesn’t make sense. I keep trying to place who would know all the different pieces of information, but it’s just impossible.

There’s nobody that would know all of the soldiers, unless it was Master or one of us Boys.

The warehouses, I guess, could be cobbled together by a few soldiers working in tandem. ”

“Is it possible, if they had enough moles in the soldiers, that they’d be able to make a complete list?” Jude asks, and I automatically shake my head.

“No, not at all. They have names here that don’t overlap, that are specific to only Master—or one of us—knowing. Essentially, our spies. They’re not affiliated with us in the typical sense.”

Roman nods in understanding, as it’s a fairly common practice. We like to pretend we all trust each other, but that’s not the case. It’s natural to keep people off the books who can discreetly work behind the scenes, and don’t report to any others except the very top.

“And it would be highly improbable, if not impossible, for all of the spies to be moles,” Marcus follows up with a sigh. I know he’s thoroughly vexed by the situation, but there’s not much we’re finding that can give us an answer.

“Is there anything on your side?” I ask Hollis, pinning my hopes on what he can find.

His fingers briefly hesitate over his keyboard, as he seems to visibly switch from whatever task he’s doing on screen, to interacting with a live human. It’s almost amusing, if it wasn’t such a stressful situation.

“I’ve looped someone else in to help evaluate the situation, because you’re right, this doesn’t make sense.

Not for them to have this amount of complete information.

Truthfully, I’ve designed all of our systems, and it would be hard for even me to collate it all together.

At least, not quickly. That was by design, of course. ”

“They did say this has been months in the planning stage,” I muse aloud. I’m still caught in the unbelievability of it all, despite it being right there in front of us.

Sighing, Marcus tugs at his hair, messing it up further.

“We can still run a risk analysis on who may be the most logical to flip, and then go from there. With your permission, I’ll take some of this back and work with Ignacio on it.

While I handle the weapons side of things, he handles the drugs.

There’s a small bit of overlap, but I’d prefer to have both of our eyes on this. ”

Nodding, I wave in agreement. It’s not like it’ll fall into the wrong hands.

I trust that neither Marcus nor Ignacio will be careless.

Since the federal agent already has all of this, it won’t be dangerous if it somehow does get picked up.

The cops have already been through the house anyway.

Although it worries me that Marcus, Keegan, and Cole are living separately.

I don’t want them alone if the cops come.

It’ll scare Cole, and I can’t accept that.

“I wish there was a way to bait them…” I can’t figure out a way when they already have all of the information. “But it’s not like we can even introduce new information at this point.”

“Hmm, I disagree, Amico Mio.” I swivel to face Roman, my interest is piqued, as I hope someone has a fucking idea.

“We can still plant some false information with people. Tell one group we have a new shipment of weapons coming in, tell another group it's drugs, etc. See who bites. That’ll help us find at least some of the moles.”

A smile stretches across my face, one that promises the exact mayhem he points out. I nod and turn toward Marcus. “Do you think you and Ignacio can figure something out for our side? I’m sure the Amatos have their own methods. Benjamin will also be happy to assist you and Ignacio.”

Marcus nods, even as he cuts his eyes toward Benjamin. I deliberately don’t look, not wanting to see his face. I don’t give a shit if he disagrees or not. He’s still my Second.

Keegan is right. Either we get our shit together and he acts like a Second, or I’ll need to replace him. I press a hand against my aching chest, not wanting to think about it. I’ve lost enough—Master has my heart and soul with him wherever he is—I don’t need to lose the last bit of my sanity too.

“I think we have enough to make a start.” Hollis’s voice makes me jump. He’s been so quiet, though even his typing stopped at some point.

When I look at him, he’s already deep in thought, and I figure it’s best to leave him alone. Even if I wish there was time to play, to settle this feeling of chaos and pain that's swirling inside of me.

I stand up, and Marcus joins me. I notice Benjamin stays sitting, and I merely shake my head.

I gesture to Roman, as I want his take on a few things.

When we step out of the dining room and into the kitchen for some privacy—thankfully, there’s no staff—I take a deep breath, tilting my head for Marcus to leave the room. I’ll catch up to him.

“I have a question—a favor.”

“Whatever you need, Amico Mio,” Roman responds solemnly.

“As it stands, we’re split up at the moment, between the two households. I don’t like this, being divided… The safety, or lack thereof, worries me. It also interferes with family meals, which are important to us.”

Roman nods, and even though he doesn’t say anything, he must be aware of what I’m about to ask. Still, it doesn’t make it any easier. “Would you be willing to host us? I think it would be best if we are all under one roof, in case our enemies come. I worry, especially about Cole. He’s so young…”

“I fear you’re right. Yes, bring everyone over. My house is your house. You are all welcome here.” I close my eyes in relief, and return the hug he gives me. It’s still somewhat odd to be physical with him, but comfort is needed right now.

“Do you think we can keep Ten and Ignacio from killing each other?” I try to joke, but it’s really not. I worry about those two keeping their focus on what’s important.

“As long as Ignacio doesn’t overstep his boundaries, I don’t think it’ll be a problem.” I’d feel more confident in his response if doubt didn’t spread across his face. The downturn of his lips and narrowing of eyes… Fuck.

Sighing, I nod, since there’s not much we can do except fucking hope those two play nice. “Very well. I’ll have people come over. If anything, maybe you can keep Ignacio busy.”

I press my lips together when Roman blushes. I wasn’t aware he could, but it’s a damn good look on him. In fact, I can’t resist stepping forward and brushing a kiss along his flushed cheek.

The slamming of a door startles me. Even worse, it pisses me off when I see it’s Benjamin. He’s scowling at me, but I shake my head slightly. I won’t give in to his temper tantrum, when he doesn’t respect me the rest of the time.

“I’ll see you later. Don’t worry about being an imposition or anything. Sei una famiglia, il tuo posto è qui con me.”

At Roman’s dismissal, I leave to catch up to Marcus.

I’m sure it’ll be a joy letting him know that he needs to move his family in with the Amatos.

Too bad, they’ll live through it. I’m the fucking Boss, and at least some people understand that—even if Benjamin has forgotten.

And truthfully, having Cole around may help keep tempers at bay, because fuck knows we have enough bolstered egos that an explosion is likely guaranteed.

Fucking save me from this type of bullshit . I don’t know how Il Padrone manages it all the time, but I can’t wait to give him his job back.