Page 35 of Stolen Kisses
“Yes, I agree and we know that when they aren’t trying to steal nukes they’re either trying to assassinate or protect very,veryimportant people.” Claudius nodded and returned his focus to Gibbs. “Gibbs, this is quality work. How are you planning to continue? It’s my duty to warn you from here that this may get a little dirtier than you’re used to. These people are above me. I’m not afraid to admit it, but we need justice. I really don’t want you to end up like Stephen.”
Gibbs smiled. “Mr. Morientz, the main thing about me is I have no price, nothing left to lose. They can come for me and it won’t matter. I like to live, the money helps with that and until I die, I’m good to solve unsolved mysteries.”
Claudius nodded. “Your checks been paid with a bonus.”
“Much obliged. Be seeing you soon.” Gibbs tipped his head like he was doing so in reverence and walked out leaving us.
I watched him until he walked through the door and looked on as he continued into the car park, got on a Harley and rode away.
I looked back at the guys who were all focused on me, Claudius in particular.
“I should be paying him Claudius.” I thought I’d say that first.
Claudius shook his head. “No. This is on me. I’m really sorry I never got my hands on Joe in last year’s fiasco. Or at least one of them. Any one of them.”
I looked at him and sighed. “It was a messy situation.”
“Messy, or maybe me being too careful.” He surmised. “We’re mobsters. I promised Luc we’d be as legit as we could, but we are what we are, and sometimes legit isn’t the way forward. It can’t be in our line of work. It’s what makes us those guys who get things done. I feel like that whole legit thing and keeping our nose out of stuff had been a weakness. Our enemies have been getting away with all manner of fucked up shit, because of it.”
“If we aren’t legit then we’re what we used to be.” I added.
Claudius shook his head again. “No, we were never anything of the sort. That was way before my time. There’s a reason why Raphael Rossi owned this town and it wasn’t just money. People were afraid of him. The Antonellas and Manellos could never have what he had, but they wanted it. I think it’s time to kick it back old school and be like the type of gangsters who came before us. We’ll have to delve into Antonella territory. We have to know where to look though and sniff them out. The only person I know from that time who’ll know anything is my father.”
My eyes widened. Marcus Morientz was Claudius’ consigliore and no one knew more than him.
Claudius was right this had to be done by the old ways. But that could mean getting people killed.
“I don’t want you guys in danger,” I said.
Claudius and Gio laughed at the same time while Alex smirked.
“I’m serious.” I offered up. “Claudius, you have a baby on the way and a wife. You guys this is above all of us.”
“Remember the days when people used to call us when shit was getting real and we were the people who sorted it out.” Claudius straightened up. “We’re The Four. We’re doing this. Boys, rules as usual. Women and loved ones out of business, and we keep our head up, eyes all over, eyes like an eagle. Blood for blood.”
Blood for blood …
It was the call for war.
I stilled, feeling the tension in my soul.
“Blood for blood,” Gio replied first.
“Blood for fucking blood.” Alex smiled.
My turn. “Blood … for blood.” As the words left my lips I recalled my sister, Christina lying dead on the bed covered in blood.
Yes, blood for blood.
* * *
It was late afternoon when we left.
Nearly five.
I didn’t go home. Couldn’t yet. There was one place I had to go first before going home.
I headed to Christina’s burial site. This would have been my third visit this month.
