Page 40 of Pragma
“I did. I just asked him to keep an eye, you know, from time to time. That’s how I found out he moved to New York. Then Jacob Campbell, the snow dealer down in Harlem we worked with a couple of times in the past, contacted me.”
I don’t remember him. But I don’t usually talk with small dealers, that’s a job for my crew.
“He told me the son of Enzino was asking around about me.”
“Jack Enzino, the mafia boss?” That family is pretty powerful in New York. “Isn’t an in-war brewing among the Italian families?”
“Yes. Since Leone croaked, the bosses of the other families are coveting the big boss’s position.”
“What’s that have to do with Joel? He sells men’s lingerie on the internet for Christ’s sake!” I buy mine from him because it’s pretty and I like the way I look in it. It’s also my way to help Joel…for River. Without River knowing. Which is not a secret, but just an omission. He never asked.
He lets out an angry groan. “I don’t know. My father was killed by the Leone family, but they let us go. Why did he get close to Arturo Enzino? Going out on lunch dates and to clubs with him. And how did he end up living with Leone’s right hand, Marco Moretti? Could it be all a coincidence?”
What the heck is Joel doing with those classless thugs? “Have you ever met any of them?”
“Not that I remember. My father was not part of the family; he just worked for them.”
“That guy, Moretti, I heard he’s a psycho. I like his work, though, they call him Knuckle because he likes to beat people up or something like that. Was he the one who kidnapped Joel?”
River lets out another feral growl. “No, but I don’t know if he forced Joel to stay with him or used him as bait and put him in danger on purpose. What if he is hurt? What if he…?”
I lean into him and give his ear a bite. It stops his nervous blabbering.
“What the fuck, Aki!” He grabs the top of my hair and pulls my head back.
I slap it, and when he doesn’t let go, I sink my nails into it. He loosens his grip, but I keep my hold on his wrist. “Stop wasting time and tell me what is it that you want to do.”
“Fuck! I don’t know.” This is a low blow. I can’t resist his broken whisper.
He loves his brother more than anything. I hated his unconditional affection toward this person. Because River has always been my person. The first one I think about, even before he awoke my desires. And since I care for River, and he cares for his brother, I do what I can to help. But I have to admit, Joel is a true magician at making lingerie for men, so if he can make more for me…
I lace my fingers with his and turn his face my way. “We are going to Moretti’s right?” After I get his silent confirmation, I keep going, “The girls are joining us there.” I look down at my texts. “They are ten minutes behind. We should wait for them, and then?—”
“No more waiting, Aki. I need to be sure he’s fine.”
I sigh.
“We are here,” the taxi driver utters in a trembling voice. I toss a hundred on his lap and get out of the car. River is already marching toward the building. Damn it. I reach him in the luxurious lobby—not as lavish as mine.
He’s talking with the guy in uniform behind the desk. When his hand moves toward the phone to inform Moretti, River grabs the guy by the front of his jacket and growls in his face, “You will give me the code to Moretti’s apartment, or I’ll slam you into that wall until I leave your shape in the marble.”
I feel a tingling sensation in my guts. I’m really into this forceful side of him. I’ve always enjoyed his ruthlessness, but now, I do on another level.
After the guy spits out the code, Riveradviseshim not to call the police, and then we get into the elevator. He taps the numbers, and we start our ascent. He’s panting like a bull, all tense and ready to use his horns.
“Bunny, I’m usually all over this killing vibe, but I don’t want to start a war with the Italian mafia over nothing. That said, if he hurt your little brother, I’ll skewer his balls and use them to make a bow over his head.”
He just looks at me with candid eyes, they tell me all I need to know. He’s worried and angry, but most of all anxious to see Joel after all these years.
As soon as the elevator doors slide open, he storms out—gun in hand at his side. I have my fingers wrapped around my sword and the sheath in the other hand. River sees the camera near the apartment door and hurriedly lets his hair fall over the scarred side of his face. I hate the fact that he feels the need to cover himself.
Does he think his brother won’t accept him? If he doesn’t, I’ll scar Joel’s face. Problem solved. The sound of the doorbell resounds in the empty corridor. River pushes the button again and again until the door is yanked open.
There are two people on the other side, and I know straight away which is Joel. I’ve seen an old picture of his face once, one the PI took back in Boston. But I didn’t expect him to be so tiny. The brawny guy behind him must be Marco Moretti. He’s sending us a murderous glare, keeping his gun aimed at River while his arm is around Joel, holding him against his chest.
“Lil’ bro,” River whispers with his eyes glued to Joel.
“River?” he asks with a voice filled with emotion after staring at him for a long moment.
