Page 17 of Tesoro: Mayhem Makers

My attention snaps to the teenage boy standing in front of the elevators, a white bag with Daily Grind’s logo printed on the front.

“I’m Kate, but I didn’t order anything.”

He holds up the bag, shrugs his shoulders before placing it on the counter in front of me. “Sorry, lady, I just deliver.”

Taking the bag, I turn from the counter and head toward Angelo’s room. Once inside, I look in the bag to find a large cup of coffee with several bottles filled with various syrups and creamers. Lifting the cup, I find three words written on the side which cause my heart to leap in my chest.

You’re gorgeous in the morning, Tesoro.

Chapter

Twelve

DANTE

“Good girl,” I snicker, watching Kate tell off the prick doctor through the app on my phone.

“You watching porn over there?” Frankie kicks my foot as a gust of wind rocks the SUV. The weather had turned to shit during the night and was growing worse by the minute.

“Yes, your mama said she needs the money.”

“Fuck you,” he spits back, as the shrill of his cellphone fills the air.

I’d placed a call to the men back in Boston calling for an emergency meeting.

“They’re ready for you,” Frankie offers me the phone. “Boss.” Adding the latter just to piss me off.

Taking the phone, I suck in a breath before telling of the events from the past few days. Leaving nothing out, including the plan for retaliation, ending with a paraphrase of syndicate law. Angelo’s taking over the Family wasn’t exactly well-received by everyone. Some were bold enough to accuse Angelo of having something to do with Joseph’s death.

Silence filled the line and I could picture the group of twelve men sitting in various chairs in the basement of the Cavaletti house.

“What is Angelo’s prognosis?”

“According to the doctor, it’s too early to tell.”

“What kind of doctor can't answer a simple?—”

“He’s unconscious, Marcus,” I interrupt. Marcus was technically our uncle, and one of the most ridiculous individuals to draw breath. He’d wanted nothing to do with running the Cavaletti Family until Joseph announced he was grooming Angelo and myself.

“Then put him on a plane and get him back to Boston.”

“That would be ideal, except again, he is unconscious and there is a storm which has grounded everything.”

“Of course, Dante.” Constantine’s gruff voice gives me pause. He’s turned down more promotions than I can remember, always saying he’d rather teach a new generation than lead them. “We stand in support.”

Four simple words spoken with authority. Even though I’d anticipated them, it still felt good to hear.

“Keep us posted on Angelo’s progress and…”

The silence which followed made my heart skip a beat. Syndicate law was one thing, the truth was, not every member followed the rules. We were technically criminals after all.

“We need Angelo back in Boston the second he can travel.”

“Of course. Dallas’s charm has lost its appeal.”

Shifting my attention to Frankie, I nod once before pressing end on the call. Less than a second later, the sound of an explosion booms from my left followed immediately by three more.

“You know Chuy isn’t going to put up the surrender flag for this. He’s going to come after us.”

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