Page 19 of Arranged

“Let me make myself perfectly clear. You can and you will.”

* * *

The overcast day had dawned much colder than normal, the brisk wind rustling the leaves. The drive hadn’t done enough to clear my head, but at least I’d had time to myself to process everything that had occurred over the last seventy-two hours. I had three crews running the streets, searching for even a rumor that might sound plausible.

It was only a matter of time before the pigs began to squeal. I could feel it in my bones.

With Don Santorelli improving and set to get his walking papers in a day or two and Don Lupini already released from the hospital, security had been increased significantly. There were additional motion detector cameras, lights and recording devices covering every wall around Don Santorelli’s estate.

In addition, Enzo Santorelli had been brought to sequester at home, much to the kid’s anger. At sixteen, he believed himself to be capable of handling any danger by himself. His arrogance made him entirely different than his father. And the kid hated me. Always had. Now, with me calling the shots, at least he had good reason to feel the way he did.

I checked the rearview mirror as I’d done several times before, ensuring that I hadn’t been followed. The entire organization was on pins and needles, fuses short as we all waited for the moment of discovery.

Whether forced or found.

The heavy ache had remained in my gut, the feeling making it difficult to breathe. I lingered at the entrance, a part of me chiding myself for not driving away. This was my life now and for all practical purposes, I was living high on the hog. That was an old saying my father had used. I had money, clout, and a place others would die for, suits handmade in Italy and a high expense account.

I also had the Don’s respect, more so now than before. It was a complete honor to be promoted and made into part of his family. For Don Santorelli to consider giving up his throne to non-blood meant he truly had no faith in Enzo. I had no say in the matter either.

A significant part of me had asked the same questions for days. Did the life I was now living beat to shit the one I’d had?

At first, the answer had been easy. Now? Not by a long shot.

The driveway was almost nonexistent, the overhanging pine trees nearly blocking out what light there was. It was the perfect place for a meeting, a mostly abandoned park that had lost funding over ten years before. Only hardcore hikers bothered to enter the jungle.

There was a single car close, but I chose not to park beside it. As I climbed out, I scanned the area, taking my small binoculars and searching the trees in a complete circle. There was no one around.

I shoved them into my pocket, once again ensuring my gun remained in the holster. Given everything that was going on, I couldn’t afford a single mistake. I tromped off the path and into the woods, mindful of the briars and fallen limbs. When I finally came to a clearing, I hesitated before advancing.

“You’re late,” Louis stated. His back remained toward me.

“I have additional responsibilities. I can’t leave without providing a decent reason why.”

He turned to face me and I was struck by how the man had changed in the months since our last meeting. His once full head of dark hair had gray at the temples and was distinctively thinner on top. He had more creases in his face and was at least twenty pounds lighter.

While it hadn’t been a bad idea for the man to lose some weight, I had a feeling the job was taking a toll.

Meanwhile, I’d bulked up by at least thirty pounds, using my off time mostly spent in the gym located in the condo or jogging a nearby track. He studied me for a few seconds, finally shaking his head.

“Do you want to tell me why you didn’t provide advance warning of the meeting between Santorelli and Lupini?”

“There wasn’t time. The address was provided to us at the last minute.”

He chuckled and finally walked closer. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you like living as a monster.”

At least fifty percent of me could easily agree. “In making my way up the food chain, more eyes are on me. You knew that would happen.”

“I also find it interesting just how much you’ve achieved in such a short period of time.”

“Two years is a lifetime.”

“Yes, well, I can understand why you think that. I’ve caught wind there’s a new player in town,” he said casually. Louis Franks was a decent operator, a man I’d been forced to trust over the years. As my handler, he was the only contact I had to the real world, the one I’d put on hold when accepting an undercover position.

“I’d be curious as to who you think that person is.”

“You mean you’ve yet to discover your new enemy.” He wasn’t surprised, just amused.

I raked my hand through my hair. I needed a goddamn haircut. I also needed a fucking shave, something I hadn’t done since the attack. With no sleep, little food, and scouring the streets, every other thought had been whether it was the right time to get the hell out.

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