Page 10 of The Runaway Bride

“Why are you so late? Are youokay?” Alex asks, with more than a little panic in his voice.

“I’m okay, Alex. I’m sorry I’mlate, but I was working. From now on, I’ll have to contact you later or we’llhave to arrange another time during the day.”

“Okay, call me as soon as you canfrom our arranged time. I’ll make sure I’m available to speak to you, but if itgoes into the morning, like breakfast time, I’ll be coming. You send me youraddress now, Elli. No excuses this time.”

I can hear Alex is at a breakingpoint with worry, so I give him my address, fill him in on my job, and the factI found us a sister. He chuckled when I described her, but he was happy that Ihad someone with me, supporting me, and having my back.

“Elli, I’m going to be workingwith Nico Vincholetti to bring down our father. He’s skimming money andplotting with others to take down the Don. I can’t live with that. I gave myoath and I will live and die by it if I have to. If you see or hear anythingfrom either of our parents, get the fuck out of there and move, and move fast.They will only use you as a bargaining tool for whatever scheme they have goingon.”

“I know, Alex. I’ve seen andheard more than enough. They are not parents to us; they are power-hungry. It’snot like Mother ever tried to save us from beatings or the humiliation Fatherserved up. I have no feelings for either of them anymore.” I think saying thiswill help Alex with whatever he has to do. “Alex, you make sure you stay safe,and you know if you have to kill Father then do it. I’ll not hold it againstyou because if I have to, I will do it myself.”

“Thanks, Elli. Now, you best getsome sleep. I’ll speak to you next week. Stay safe, and I love you, sis.”

I can’t hold back the smile, andsure Alex can hear it in my voice when I speak, “I will, and I love you too,bro.”

Chapter 7

Nico

Monday and I’m again behind mydesk. I’ve been continually in the office for the last three months and I haveto say I’m ready for a day where I can relax. But with everything going on asit is, I have to be on top of the issues or I could be a dead man.

A knock on the door has melooking up, and Lorenzo Palmeri walks inside. Now, he has a cocky swagger inhis step this morning. That’s interesting! As my Underboss, he issecond-in-command, but not for long. Trouble is, he doesn’t know that yet.

“Boss, we have some movement fromthe Irish on the eastern side of the territory. I’ve taken steps to reinforcethat area. I realize it’s the territory you’ve been monitoring, but I felt ithad to be dealt with quickly.”

“I see.” My reaction showing calmhas a twitch in the corner of Lorenzo’s eye. That tells me he isn’t as cool ashe’s trying to show me.

“I have the monthly audit reportsfor Peter. The accounts are fully up-to-date, and he’ll run through them asnormal. We have no issues with the casino.”

“Okay. Don’t forget tonight wehave the meeting at the warehouse. Make sure you are there, and as underboss, Iexpect you to be on time.”

“Of course. Have you anything youneed to update me on?” Lorenzo asks.

I can see he’s wondering why weare having the meeting. Normally as my second-in-command, he would know everystep I’m making and why, but me keeping quiet has his nerves on edge. That isexactly what I want. “No, everything is as it should be,” I reply beforelooking down at the paperwork in front of me.

Bruno walks into the office andstops when he sees Lorenzo hovering in front of my desk. “Everything okay,Boss?”

“Yeah, Lorenzo was just leaving.”I look up and give Lorenzo a cold look, which has him quickly nod and leave theoffice. “Watch that he leaves the property,” I state and Bruno walks out to domy bidding.

My mansion is never used for workmatters, keeping it clean in all aspects. At the end of the property is thegraveyard, which holds family members' remains. The mausoleum is large, andwhen you enter it's cold and dirty, but the wall to the left with an image ofthe Madonna carved slides to the right, allowing us access to the undergroundstructure.

This structure is where we do ourwet work when it needs to be done without the eyes of anyone other than myinner circle. My Capos do not know that this place exists and if they ever findout, it’s because they are the wet work that needs completing.

I’m in my office on the top floorof the building, which is a cover for what we really are and do. The front is arealtor’s office, which I have to say is successful and brings in a lot ofcash. The people who run the office are part of the family, but they are notsoldiers. They are classed as associates.

Franko, who runs the realtor'soffice, is in his fifties and is solid. I have no worries about him or hisstaff. He runs a tight office, and when an incident happened, he took out fourmen without blinking an eye. Saving Bruno’s life at the time.

I stand and stroll over to thewindow, knowing tonight is going to be brutal for some. But if you are loyal tothe family, you never have to worry about what could happen to you. The familyis all.

Bruno walks back into the officeand throws himself into an easy chair. “That fucker needs taking out. I hatehim. He’s a smug bastard.”

“Yeah, he’ll not be breathingmuch longer,” I respond, then look at the door when a soft knock grabs myattention. “Come in.”

Gail walks into the office andgives me two envelopes, mail that she knows only I’ll deal with. For the mostpart, Gail is capable of responding to much of the mail, but certain things shehas to place in front of me. “I have Alex Palmeri outside to see you, and acall on hold from Hunter Four.”

“Okay, I’ll take the call, butgive Alex a drink while he waits.”

“Of course,” Gail responds andquickly exits the office, softly closing the door.

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