Page 31 of Arranged

In other words, boring as hell.

Yet the kills were clean and easy, the use of a silencer in such a large city more than just a matter of convenience. It allowed for a tamper-free operation.

Maybe my desire to gut the man like a pig came from the continued frustration over being unable to locate the newest enemy. Or the fact spending time with my fiancée had presented me with blue balls. I wasn’t certain and it didn’t matter.

From what Bronco had told me on the ride over to the man’s house, Marco had been offered a significant sum of money for a single piece of information.

The location of the meeting between the two Dons. Now, how the enemy had any clue there was going to be a meeting had yet to be determined. If the organization’s leader was smart, he’d managed to buy his limited loyalty through the use of several soldiers from both the Lupini and Santorelli operations.

I’d hunt them down one by one.

“You got a nice-looking fiancée, boss. I don’t mean any disrespect,” Bronco said just before he climbed from the vehicle.

“None taken, but never let yourself admire her again, Bronco. I’m a very possessive man.”

“Yes, sir. Never again. I’ll bring him right out.” Bronco was eager to drag the son of the bitch to the waiting SUV.

Once he’d walked away, Gio flashed a grin in the rearview mirror. “You’re angry.”

“You bet I am.”

“I never told you this, but I like it when you’re angry. Gives me the warm and fuzzies.”

I had to laugh. Gio could be a funny guy. Tonight, I didn’t want any evidence left, which meant creatively disposing of him.

This simply wasn’t the right time to make a bold statement, not with the wedding a week away.

“I don’t like rats, Gio. That’s something I need to convey to everyone.”

“You think we have more than one.”

“It’s possible. I need them rooted out. I also need to establish a meeting with Drago so his men will search their ranks as well.”

“I don’t like that man.” His admittance was another reason I liked the guy and had learned to trust him.

He was observant as fuck.

It was also the reason I’d avoided his invitations to have a drink off hours. I was friendly with no one. That was in my best interest.

At least he’d lost some of his arrogance given the circumstances.

“Take a number, Gio. However, we are required by contract to consider him one of the family.”

He choked. “He’s more like the barbaric side of the family then.”

That he was.

Only minutes later, Bronco could be seen escorting Marco to the car. There was no hesitation in the man and he wasn’t being dragged. I was more than curious as to what Bronco had said to the man to get him to come along willingly.

Marco was all smiles when he climbed in. “Wow. I didn’t think the ceremony would be tonight. I mean, I know it’s a special day and all.”

My Capo had told him he was being taken to the Made Man ceremony, another Neanderthal process that I’d been put through. The taking of blood, the oath of life by taking and accepting the Omerta. Only it was obvious the man didn’t understand the code of silence the oath contained.

I said nothing, but allowed Bronco to open a bottle of aged scotch, presenting a glass to the three of us. Gio remained quiet, likely enjoying the ceremony in the vehicle.

“I must admit I’m nervous as fuck. I mean I heard they cut your hand. Does that shit hurt?” Marco gulped the first sip of his scotch.

It was over ten thousand a bottle and he was gulping the liquid as if it was a can of soda. I should be incensed by that if nothing else. I’d prearranged for Gio to drive us to a warehouse along the docks. It worked perfectly into Bronco’s story of the man being taken in the late hours of the night.

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