Page 6 of Under His Watch

The Devil’s Brothers MC was new on the scene here. Motorcycle gangs came and went. Mafia families, like the Constellas, Giovannis, and even the Domino Family, were organizations that had been established many generations ago. The Dominos were taken out by the bikers, but that wasn’t the norm. Still, there was much to learn about these elusive bikers trying to claim a place of power.

“I wouldn’t say that no news is good news,” I replied seriously. I saw no point in lying. “Because they know that we’ve identified them as our enemies.”

Andy nodded, frowning at his beer bottle. “I hope Nina is recovering from being kidnapped.”

“Oh, she’s doing fine. Happy about the baby and in love with my father.” I shrugged.

He grinned, looking the part of an ordinary man teasing a friend at this bar. “It’s pretty wild. Once they marry, she’ll be your stepmom.”

I gave him a deadpanned look, not wanting to humor him.

“She’s what, like a couple years younger than you?”

I exhaled long and hard, not taking the bait.

“All right. All right.” He set his empty bottle on the bar. “Enough teasing. It’s not like there aren’t other couples in the Family with years separating them.”

My father and Nina had a significant age gap, but if it worked for them, who was Andy—or anyone else—to judge?

Maybe that’s what I need. A younger woman to teach and educate about how hard I like it.An experienced, older woman would likely be too damn independent to consider being submissive.

“Anyway,” Andy said, bringing me back to the reason I came way out here to chat at the bar. While it was disappointing that he didn’t have much intel to share about the movements of the Devil’s Brothers men, I was glad to have a chance to check in with him. Ever since I'd failed to save my other Mafia brothers, I’d adopted a habit of trying to supervise them all.

“I’ll keep looking and listening.”

I clapped him on his back. “Good. I appreciate it.”

Andy huffed. “Well, it’s my job.”

True.And he’d do it well. “Just make sure you report to me.”

“Not Dante.” Andy raised his brows. “He’s the one who put me on this assignment to begin with. I gotta admit, I was surprised when you showed up.”

I nodded. “Yes. Me. I’m taking over this part of preparation. All intel about the MC will be reported to me.”

“What about Franco?” he asked.

“He’s heading up gathering the intel about the Giovannis.” We’d schemed a two-pronged approach. With Stefan aligning with Reaper, combining the rival Mafia Family with the bikers, Franco and I could divide our attention in half. This spared my father from getting too involved.

“My father needs this time to focus on Nina. They’re getting ready for the baby. And after that, planning their wedding.” I stretched again, hating the tension in my muscles. I didn’t intend to stay long. It was clear that I needed a good night of rest. “Franco and I intend to stay on top of getting the intel we need to attack those fuckers.”

Andy didn’t argue, nodding and standing. I stood as well, tossing several bills to the bar top to cover our drinks and then some.

“If you ask me, Dante’s been overdue for some love in his life.”

My father had been all work and no play for too long. “Agreed.”

As we walked toward the exit of the bar, I noticed the few stragglers, likely regulars who would stay until last call. This place was a hole in the wall, a dump that no crime family, club, or gang considered their turf. As such, it was ideal for meeting up with spies. Andy and I agreed on another meeting a couple of weeks from now, and I watched as he turned to the east andheaded out into the night. For the sake of not looking like we knew each other out here, where anyone could be watching, we parted without any further farewell.

Fatigue slithered through me as I walked toward the west, where I’d parked in a dark lot. I was exhausted, mentally and physically, but it was impossible to slack in checking my surroundings. I was alert as I strolled through the alley, always ready for an ambush or attack. That was simply part of the job description, I supposed.

This alley interested two long rows of businesses, but no skyscrapers blocked out the streetlamps. Dim lights offered me the way forward. Other than the distant thumping bass from nightclubs that would stay open for hours into the morning, it was quiet. Save for my footsteps, it was silent back here, giving the illusion of peace. The city never truly slept, though.

Nearing the lot where I’d parked my car, I heard something else, though. Grunts. Muffled noises from someone’s mouth. When a whimper reached me as I walked past the rear entrance of another smaller bar, I sped up.

I knew those sounds. I’d caused those sounds. Grunts that paired with the force of flesh against flesh as I fucked a woman hard. Muted moans of someone being gagged. The whimpers could only be the result of someone in pain or afraid. That was what prompted me to sprint faster and intervene.

I’d tortured and killed many people in my line of work. It was almost hypocritical of me to want to intervene in someone else performing either of those tasks. The difference was that I knew my actions were always just—in the name of protecting my family and organization.

---