Page 15 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

But I see them all for what they are—future assets for when I wish to take them.

And Declan? I left him in his stronghold of Midtown West, deep in Hell’s Kitchen, surrounded by his Irish army, letting him think Hell’s Kitchen still belonged to him and the Irish just as it always had.

I didn’t have a need to infiltrate his lair.

He didn’t have anything I wanted.

At least, not until now.

The silence is taut, and thoughts chase their own tails on the man’s face. He wants to flatter but not seem like he’s doing that. He also wants to get away with as much as he can.

“Let’s not dwell on the past,” I say, “but the problem at hand.”

“Matteo, what you did?—”

“I had a rat infestation. I took care of it, decided to stay. You have a point, Declan?”

He doesn’t answer, so I look at his son.

“Conor, what were you doing in the cartel’s territory?” I ask.

He smirks and crosses his arms over his chest. “Pussy and coke.”

“You could get a plethora of both anywhere else in the city.” I let my gaze linger on him. “Why Harlem?”

“Why not?”

“The drugs in your domain are better, and there’s pussy everywhere. So again… Why Harlem?”

Conor’s eyes narrow as his jaw clenches. He knows what I’m getting at. I wait, giving him room and rope.

“Those assholes have been showing up a lot more lately in their fucking pimped-out cars, doling out their cheap, cut coke like it’s free fucking candy.”

Conor’s been dabbling in drug distribution, but I’m not sure dear old Dad knows how deep. I choose my words, as always, carefully. “Your clientele wouldn’t be interested in that.”

“There is more than one group who buys. We deal good shit. But his lot… They’ve been looking for trouble. So, I took my guys and brought it to them,” he says darkly, the defiance strong.

“And you thought taking out a lieutenant was a smart way to end the night? Mission accomplished?” I lift an eyebrow, and Declan glares at his son.

“Don’t fucking talk to me like that. You’re not my goddamn boss.” Conor stands suddenly, his chair scraping against the hardwood floor. “You don’t get to question me!”

“Conor, sit your ass down,” Declan hisses. “You’ve caused us enough trouble.”

But Conor, thick-skulled fucker that he is, just stands there. His lips thin as he scouts every inch of the office.

My gun is mounted to the underside of the desk, as always. One move and Conor’s gone.

He’s fucking lucky I have bigger plans for his family. And as for him, well…he gets to live another day.

“Dominguez doesn’t know the who behind the hit, yet. I can’t keep that secret. You were stupid and messy and there were too many witnesses. We all know what he’ll do to you. And it’s when, not if.” I let my words sink in. Then I turn the screw. “Maybe I’m not interested in this fight because of what it’s going to cost me.”

Conor’s jaw tenses, but he says nothing.

Declan turns toward me. “Matteo, I have a family to protect. My daughter, my sons. They’re my priority. Anything…whatever you need.”

The words I’ve been waiting for.

“The other families smell blood and weakness here.” I nod at Conor. “Is he next in line to take over your organization?” My implication is more than clear.

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