Page 39 of Destruction

“Speaking of that, I wanted to run something by you. You know we got hit by the LEOs? Well, from what we’re finding out, it’s open season on both us and the Amatos. Meaning, we can’t trust the cops, or hell,anyof the legal system that we’re usedto bribing. Some of them know too much. Where do you think they’ll hit next?”

“Fuck,” Antonio mutters. “We don’t exactly advertise everywhere we occupy, but there are certain warehouses they could take an educated guess on. Some dealer houses are probably marked. Let’s get a list and start moving things around. Maybe we can convince the dealers to switch areas, if we can provide them with some different locations. We have safe houses that are off everyone’s radar for a reason.”

“Good point. Let’s get the map out. We also need to get ahold of the Cartel. We can’t have weapons and drugs rolling in right now. At least, not at the volume we usually do. I don’t want them picked up either. They’d flip too easily—there’s no reason for them to be loyal to us.”

“What about Sergio?” I bite my lip at Antonio’s reference to Master’s cousin. Considering Luca was supposed to be in his territory, I’m not sure how to approach him. “Do you think Luca explained what happened?”

“Fuck. I hope not, but yeah. That’s the only way he would have been able to leave so easily. I don’t want other Families to know what’s going on—even if they’re related. We have a treaty with the Amatos. While we have one with Sergio based on blood, I can’t exactly count on that. We’d be too easy to pick off, if he decided to.”

“I’ll talk to Luca. Maybe this will convince him to go back. He’d be more useful watching that situation. We’re all hands on deck, but there’s such a thing as too many people.” I nod, understanding completely—especially when most of us are wary of Luca.

Antonio starts pointing to areas on the map, mainly warehouses that are more well known. “These are my guesses. I’d suggest maybe shifting things around.”

“Hmm. We could even do a blind, don’t you think? Leave a couple showing ‘activity’, but with nothing in there. That way, it makes the LEOs look like they're on a vendetta with nothing to back it up.”

“Good idea. I’ll start transferring some things over. One more thing… Do you think they’ll hit the house?”

I sit back, stunned. I’d never considered it. I mean, fuck…why the hell would they risk it? Then again, most of our secrets are here. They could easily access information and our people here at the main house.Fuck.

“I don’t even know where to begin. I know we’d need to get rid of our ‘guest’ room. The black room...but Il Padrone will be pissed if we get rid of it.”

“What about the playroom and the nursery?” Twisting up his face, Antonio can’t even meet my eyes.

“No…I think those can stay,” I say after a moment of hesitation. “Yeah, they might freak some people out, but they can’t do shit about BDSM—even if I'm sure they’ll want to. It’d provide a red herring anyway. It’s the other things I'm worried about…like documents. Fuck, our entire network. I’m not sure if they could get into that.”

“Maybe ask Jenna?” Antonio rubs his chin, staring blankly at the table. Fuck, if there was ever a time for needing Master, it would be right now.

“Yeah, I’ll contact her. I’ll also call Hollis. I think he’s honestly the best person to tell us how to make sure our network is secure enough that the cops wouldn’t find anything.” I close my eyes in defeat. I have a feeling I’m going to need to beg, and that is not my style—at least, not with anyone except Master.

“Who would have thought we’d be working with the Amatos? Trusting them like this. It’s fucking weird.”

“I don’t disagree, but I’m friends with Roman anyway. Right now, it feels a little lopsided though. I don’t want them to bethe ones taking point on everything. So, find me something. Anything.”

Chuckling softly, Antonio stands up. “Use that fire. It’s good to see it again. I’ll check in with you at dinner time, after I start rearranging some things. First up is making sure the house gets stripped.”

“Yeah, let the cleaners and maids know. I’ll call Jenna and Hollis after I see Dr. Ranlen.” I wave him out and let my head drop down.

Right now, we’re in defense. I need to start being on the offense. At least leaving some blinds may help us. But, for now, I need to come clean to Sarah and have her check the stitches. I’m not sure what she’ll say about my playtime with Hollis. Fuck knows I needed it, and I certainly wouldn’t pass it up again in the future, if it can bring my mind calmness. Although, shit, I hope they don’t always rely on blood play…

“Ishould have paid more attention when Tennant taught Roman how to lock pick,” I mutter, shaking my ankle lightly and hearing the chain rattle.

“It is rather uninspiring,” Allesandro says, glaring down at his own manacle. “I keep waiting for something to happen.”

“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow. “Do you hear that?” I look up at the camera. “You’re disappointing Il Padrone. I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

Allesandro snorts, but our host doesn’t seem to think I’m clever as he screeches,“Shut up! You’d think you’d be more worried about your upcoming doom.”

Allesandro and I exchange looks, and it’s a feat not to roll my eyes. This dude can’t be serious. “It’s hard to feel anything when my entire body is numb, since we still don’t have chairs,” Allesandro drawls.

“You have interesting priorities. I’m sure your so-called Families would love to hear that you’re worried about a chair, when they’re trying to stay alive.”

If that’s supposed to scare us…this guy really knows nothing about our Families. My family is more likely to kill one another before someone else gets their hands on them.

“You’re awfully confident for someone who kidnaps two people, only to leave them in a room all day,” I say, channeling Tennant’s patent bored tone. “How…lacking in imagination.”

No comment from our captor, so maybe he’s gotten tired of us—what a shame.

Standing, I shift from foot to foot, trying to get the blood flowing in my limbs before I begin pacing the few feet the chain allows. “If I die from boredom, Tennant will figure out how to bring me back just to ridicule me.”

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