Page 472 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

The taller one sticks out his hand. “Alek Severinov,” he says in a deep voice. He nods toward the other guy. “This is my brother, Kazimir.”

“Call me Kaz,” he says.

I nod. “Okay,Kaz. I did the job I was asked to do. So what happens next? Where are you taking me?”

“I think you already know the dangers associated with this kind of operation,” Alek says. “And what’s at risk for all of us now since the families involved are also associates of the Red Ladro syndicate.”

“I think that since I’m the one who actually carried out the order, my life is the one hanging in the balance, yeah?” My tone is gruff, my throat tight. “It was my hand clutching the machete, my finger that pulled the trigger. So while this whole ‘all for one’ story is a nice one, let’s be real. They’re coming for me.”

“And that’s exactly why you’re in the back of our car right now. What you did confirmed your loyalty to us and to our organization, and we will make sure that you are protected while we figure out the best way to handle the situation.”

“How long is that supposed to take? And what am I supposed to do until then? Become a fucking slot jockey?” I snarl. “I’m not just gonna sit around on my ass, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I did this job because of my father. He’s the one who is so bent on being part of this whole syndicate. But what the hell am I getting, huh? Who’s gonna make sure my neck isn’t the next one chopped off?”

Alek and Kaz exchange a look.

“As you know, the other members of the syndicate, including your own uncle and cousins, will be coming out here in the next couple of weeks to discuss our newly formed partnership and how we will expand our reach beyond Las Vegas, and we will address this situation during that meeting,” Alek says. “What you did to Domenico Messina’s organization back east, executing a revenge plot against him for attacking one of our own, was a strong show of faith in our collective future. Messina will know, in no uncertain terms, that an assault on the Villani family is an assault on Red Ladro.”

“Can you at least tell me why the hell I was sent to do the hit? Was it really because of a battle over territories? Or is that just the bullshit my father was fed?”

“You don’t need details,” Kaz says.

“Says the guy who isn’t sporting a big-ass target on the back of his head,” I grumble.

“Listen, when your cousin Matteo recommended your family to join our syndicate, we backed his decision.” Alek narrows his blue eyes as the car makes a right turn into an ornate porte-cochère. “Don’t make me regret that choice. You’ll stay here for the next couple of days, laying low until we make sure you’re clear to move on to your next location. Do what you want in the hotel, but don’t even think about leaving.”

“Is there gonna be an orange jumpsuit waiting for me in my room, too? You know, to make it a little bit easier to track me.” I roll my eyes, catching a glimpse of a large lit sign for the Montepremi Casino and Spa out the darkened window.

“I think you know that you have plenty to lose by leaving, Zeno,” Alek says. “And I’m sure that Matteo and Sergio gave you the same message.” He presses his lips together. “Once we find Messina and confirm that he’s headed back to Sicily, you’ll be free to go.”

“And what, then? Are you going to keep him under surveillance for-fucking-ever?” I ask.

“Not forever. Just long enough to set up our plans and establish our networks. Once our barriers are up, he won’t be able to break through them.”

“No disrespect, Alek, but I’d rather not have a permanent crick in my neck from looking over my shoulder for the foreseeable future. How long will it take to set up these barriers?”

The car rolls to a stop in front of the hotel entrance.

Alek levels me with a stare. “As I said, lay low. Kaz will take things from here.” He gives me a quick nod and then gets out of the car when the driver pulls open his door.

I look at Kaz, lifting an eyebrow. “I wear a size medium,” I say in a scathing tone. “For the jumpsuit.”

He snickers and slides out of the car without waiting for the driver to open his door. Kaz claps me on the shoulder as we push past crowds of people loitering on the cobblestones. “Let me tell you a little something about Alek. He’s a little bit of a control freak.”

I snort. “Yeah, thanks, because I didn’t catch that,” I say sarcastically.

Kaz pulls me behind a column in the lobby. “Look, family means everything to Alek.” He claps me on the shoulder. “You guys are new to us, that’s all. He wants to make sure you can be trusted. We all do. That’s the only way this syndicate works.”

My spine stiffens. “I think I’ve already proven I can be trusted.”

“I think so, too. I get a pretty good read on you.” Kaz smiles. “But Alek isn’t as open-minded as me. So just do what he says and ride out the next few days. Play some craps, see a show, fuck some cocktail waitresses, you know, whatever you’re into. Nobody knows you’re here right now. Enjoy the anonymity.” He snickers. “Oh, and by the way, you’re registered here as Johnny Walker.” He pulls out a black envelope with two black credit card-like pieces of plastic in it. “Your room key and rewards card. The number is inside the envelope.”

I tuck the envelope into my jacket. “Thanks,” I grunt.

Then he hands me a phone. “It’s a burner. Shut off your other one and don’t even think about using it.”

I drop it into the pocket of my jeans.

Kaz folds his arms over his chest. “Okay. You look like you can use a drink.” He grins. “Or five. Come on, I’ll be your host for the evening. And I’ve got just the place for you to get lost in.”

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