Page 98 of The Right Garza
“Alright, alright. No interest,” Stefano drawls with a hint of humor. He sure is having a blast with having one up on the Garzas. “Tripp, Trueman,” he says in acknowledgment of his cousins. “I’m sorry our gathering this time is on such an intense note. But you know how I am about my money. Now back up, please.”
I’m gazing at Trent while Stefano talks, so I don’t see it coming. I only hear a softvhhootand blood splatters across Trent’s face. In stricken horror, I watch as his body jerks away and Ellie’s lifeless one hits the floor, a reddened hole in the middle of her forehead.
“There. Now no one can beg for her life,” Stefano says casually. “Fool me once,stupidome. Fool me twice… You all know how it goes.”
“For fuck’s sake, man,” Tripp curses, wiping blood splatters from his face.
“Ididtell you to back up, didn’t I?” Stefano retorts.
“You’re despicable,” True mutters as he gets out a kerchief from his back pocket to clean the splatters of blood off himself as well.
I’m still gaping in shock at Ellie’s lifeless body when Stefano nudges me and points to Alvin. The front of Alvin’s khaki slacks is soaked.
“Thatis what happens when you mix fear with an empty stomach,” Stefano tells me. “They should have at least given him a finger of whiskey.”
“P-p-please don’t k-kill him,” I beg, struggling to formulate words around the shock. “He’s worked for Slim for years and has always been loyal. I’m positive Ellie talked him into it.”
Stefano cocks his head to the side and hides his gun from view by crossing his hands behind his back. “What do you suggest I do with him then?”
“Maybe s-send him back to Slim. Let Slim p-punish him.”
Stefano grins, but it’s one of his fake, deceptive grins that I’ve seen him give to people when he knows they are playing him. “You are only suggesting that because you know Slim is a pussy who would not harm a fly. He stolemymoney, soIhave to punish him.”
Both his voice and his eyes grow cold on me, and it’s like he’s transformed into Lorenzo. I’ve never seen him look so mean and vicious before. And I know…I knowthisis the real him. I tried to play him, and he’s pissed at me for it.
“He used his hand to steal from me, and according to you, his cock made him do it. So, sweet Lexi, since you are the only one here begging for hislife, I am going to allow you to decide which one I cut off. His hand or his cock?”
Swallowing past the giant lump in my throat, I look to Trent, search his face help. But he gives me nothing. He just looks impatient and angry. Does he not care about this man’s life?
I sweep my gaze to True and Tripp, hoping for something from them, but they both just look bored and annoyed, as though they have places to be and I’m holding them up.
The long-haired muscle-bound man is leaned against a column with his eyes closed and the same bored expression as everyone else.
Feeling helpless, I return my gaze to Alvin. He’s covered in cold sweat, his shoulders shaking, his eyes pleading with me, his duct-taped mouth preventing him from begging for his own life.
Stefano’s hand whips up, gun aimed at Alvin’s head. “Talk fast, Lexi, or he gets the next bullet.”
I open my mouth to sayhand, the ‘Ha’leaving me on a short breath. But then, remembering who I’m dealing with, I switch at last second and say, “His cock.”
Stefano narrows his gaze at me, as if pissed that I’ve just bested him. “Well done,” he grounds out. “Hand it is.”
He jerks a nod to his suits and two of them comes forward and haul Alvin away.
“You’ve kept her around you for too long,” Lorenzo comments with faint humor. “She’s learned how to win with you.”
“That she has,” Stefano mumbles grumpily.
Trent strides over and pulls me to him. Even in the midst of this horror show, his touch still manages to give me flutters.
He looks to Lorenzo and asks, “Dealt with Slim for me?”
Lorenzo nods. “Reparation’s already wired to her account.”
What?Slim? Is the “her” in this exchangeme?
Stefano frowns. “I’m assuming this is about Lexi getting hit? Why was I not in on this ‘reparation’ deal? How much did he pay? I think I deserve a cut—”
“FUCK OFF,Stefan,” all three Garza menplusLorenzo bark at him.
