Page 27 of Vincenzo (The DiMaggio Crime Family #3)

AMALIA

A fter tossing and turning in my bed for a couple hours, I finally managed to get some sleep, not waking up until way after the sun had already set.

After taking a much-needed shower, I put on a black crop top, black high-waisted jean shorts, and a red blazer. I finish my look off with my black thigh-high boots and my knife safely—and discreetly—secured in its holster.

When I grab my phone, I let out a mumbled “Fuck” when I realize it’s dead, then fumble to get my charger out of my bag so I can plug it into the wall.

As soon as it powers on, I’m flooded with voicemails and texts.

Enzo.

My heart sinks, knowing he’s probably discovered I’m no longer in the city. I’m about to click on one of his messages when a phone call from Armando comes through.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Finally, you pick up,” he exclaims. “I was about to head over to your place and make sure you’re not fucking dead. What the hell, Amalia?”

“I know, I’m sorry. I completely forgot to charge my phone, so it’s been dead for who knows how long. What’s going on?”

“One of my guys just let me know Alejandro and José are at Fabien’s club.”

“Great,” I say eagerly. “I’ll meet you over there now.”

“No,” he rushes out. “I can’t. My dad just called for a meeting with me and Diego. He didn’t say anything about you or Carlos, but I’m not sure what else he’d be calling an emergency meeting for, so I need to go see what’s going on.”

“Shit,” I hiss out. “How long do you think it’ll take?”

“Not sure, but I don’t want you heading over there without me, so I’ll call you when we’re done here, okay?”

I let out a sigh. “Alright.”

“I mean it, Amalia. If I find out you’ve left your condo, I’m going to?—”

“I said alright .”

“Good.” He lets out a sigh. “Look, I’m not trying to be a dick, but you can’t go by yourself. Alejandro and José will probably be there the rest of the night. I’ll try and rush my dad, and then pick you up and we’ll head over, okay?”

“Okay, talk to you in a bit.”

I put my phone back on the charger, as it’s going to die any second.

Knowing Alejandro and José are at the club has my patience about ready to implode on itself. It’s probably smarter to wait for Armando to come with me, but when have I ever needed backup in my life? Going to the club and questioning them is something I’m beyond capable of handling.

I debate for a few minutes, but in the end, I grab my keys and phone, then shove them both in the pockets of my blazer and take off for the door. I can’t wait any longer.

When I get to the club, I park in the back parking lot on the other side of the alleyway.

I head straight for the VIP tables upon entering, knowing that’s exactly where Alejandro and José will be.

As I approach, Alejandro catches my eye immediately.

He’s sitting on a dark-blue velvet couch, with a blonde and a brunette in tiny scraps of lingerie sitting on his lap.

His hands are wrapped around them, and he’s smiling like he’s the king of the world.

“Alejandro,” I say, stopping in front of their table. He snaps his gaze up to me, and I nod at him. “Let me talk to you for a second.”

“S… Sicaria.” His widened eyes and the concern in his tone tell me all I need to know. He thinks I’m here to do with him what I did to Felipe. And if he doesn’t give me the answers I’m looking for, that’s exactly what will happen.

“I-I’m a bit busy.” His eyes move shakily around the lounge area as if he’s seeking backup from one of his friends.

Glancing over to the side, I see José’s eyes are already on me, and he looks just as nervous as Alejandro. “You too,” I say to him, ignoring the brunette on his lap. “Follow me.”

I turn around and am about to head to one of the private rooms, but before doing so, I glance over my shoulder and say, “If both of you aren’t following me in the next five seconds, you’ll each get the same special treatment I gave Felipe.”

Facing forward, I make my way to one of the vacant rooms without checking to make sure they’re following me. I already know they are.

I walk into the room and turn around when I hear the door latch.

“What can we help you with?” Alejandro says at the same time José says, “We don’t know anything.”

I tilt my head and raise a brow at the weak one who already caved. “What would I think you guys would know?”

Alejandro slowly slides his gaze over to José’s, and it’s clear, with the grinding of his teeth that I can see even in the dim blue lighting, he’s said something he wasn’t supposed to say.

José slides his gaze anxiously between Alejandro and me. “Nothing. Why? What do you think we know?”

“Is that really how you want to play this, José?”

“We honestly have no idea what this is about,” Alejandro says, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

I tilt my head and give him a sinister grin. “Let me give you this warning before we start. I really don’t like liars, and you really don’t want to have me show you what I do to people who lie to me.”

Alejandro continues to hold my gaze, but José shifts his around the room as if he’s trying to figure a way out of here without me getting to him first.

“Now that that’s out of the way. Felipe. You both obviously know what I did to him, but this isn’t about that. There was something he said right before I slit his throat and watched while he bled out all over his carpet.”

Alejandro keeps a straight face, but José winces.

I slowly pace in front of them. “He said something that I haven’t been able to get out of my head.” Stopping, I look over at the two men. “Do either of you happen to know what that could be?”

They’re both silent for a moment, then Alejandro says, “No idea.”

“No idea, huh?” I walk up to José and stare into his beady eyes. “What about you? Any guesses?”

Alejandro clears his throat, and I whip my gaze to him. “You speak, you die. Got it?”

He swallows deeply but gives me a forced nod.

Bringing my attention back to José, I say, “So, any ideas?”

His Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows tightly. “Uh, no… I have no idea.”

Furrowing my brows, I tilt my head at him. “You sure about that, José? Your answer didn’t sound too confident.”

“He said he doesn’t know anything,” Alejandro says.

“And I said if you speak, you die,” I snap, my tone sharp and laced with glass that could cut through bone.

I slide my knife out of my boot and bring it up to José’s neck, causing him to stumble back against the wall.

“Remember what I said José. I don’t like liars, so I’m going to ask you one more time.

What do you think Felipe had to say when his throat was writhing against my blade while he took his last breaths?

” I glance down at my knife, and a smile lifts at my lips.

“Kind of like how yours is doing right now.”

I slide my gaze up to José’s and lift a brow. He remains silent, but from his widened eyes and the sweat beading at the small stache above his lip, I’d say he’s about to break.

“José,” Alejandro growls out in warning.

“How many times do I have to tell you? You speak again, and this knife will end up in your gut, got it?” I snap, but my gaze never leaves José’s.

José’s eyes frantically shift between Alejandro’s and mine. Putting pressure on my blade, I say, “One last try. My fucking patience is wearing thin.”

“Okay, okay!” he yells. “Probably something about your parents!”

“Fuck,” Alejandro mumbles from beside me.

“Good, now we’re getting somewhere. What do you know about my parents?”

“We don’t know anything about them,” Alejandro says, and I’ve had about enough of him now.

While keeping my blade against José’s throat, I backhand Alejandro across the face with my free hand.

His head jerks away, and he lets out a sharp hiss, bringing his hand up to his busted lip.

“Damn, did my ring get you there?”

I’m done playing games.

Putting enough pressure against José’s throat, I break the skin, and he whimpers. “Fine! I’ll tell you what we know! Just please , lower your blade.”

“You think I’d be stupid enough to do that?

” I lean into him and raise a finger up to Alejandro, addressing him.

“You fuck with me getting information, and I kill your friend. That’s your last and final warning.

Now, go on José, and remember, I’m just a slice away from taking your life, so choose your next words wisely. ”

“We know who killed your parents, and it’s not who you think it is. Those thugs your uncle had killed had nothing to do with it. They were just loose change. Easy targets to take the blame for Pedro’s work.”

The name of my uncle’s right-hand man takes me aback. “Pedro?”

“ Sí , Pedro. He’s the one who killed your parents.”

“How do you know this?”

“Felipe was across the street from the restaurant where the driveby happened. The car was unmarked, but he said it was Pedro who had the gun aimed at them. He swore it.”

“Why would Pedro want my parents dead?” I demand.

“That I don’t know.”

I increase my pressure.

“I r… really don’t! P… please!”

I continue to gaze deep in his eyes, trying to get the best read I can on him, and I believe him.

“If I find out you’re fucking lying to me, I’ll skin you alive, got it?”

“I promise. We just know Pedro is the one who really killed your parents. We don’t know why.”

I study José long and hard for another minute.

I could kill him and cover up any potential repercussions from this discussion, but in all reality, Alejandro and José are the least of my worries.

After all, they did give me the information I needed.

They might not know why Pedro killed my parents, but I’m pretty sure I do.

“Neither of you saw me here tonight, understood?”

Alejandro and José both nod frantically.

“And I highly suggest you go back to your table and tell your friends that they also did not see me here tonight.”

They nod again.

“If I find out my name has escaped any of your lips, I’m coming for you all. Do you understand?”

They nod again.

“Use your fucking words.”

“S… sí,” they both stammer out at the same time.