Page 62 of Flawed

Silence fills the line. My chest tightens like it always does when he does this. I never know what his silence means. A man like Jacopo isn't predictable. At any time, he can turn on you.

I often think he knows how his silence makes men squirm, even if they don't show it or he can't see. Like now, I'm on the other end of the phone line, but I'm squeezing my fists and trying not to move.

He finally orders, "Let me know when it's complete," and hangs up.

I sigh in relief, but new thoughts plague me.

What if Jacopo knows I'm lying? What if he spoke with Benny, Sid, and Jimmy?

What if I'm the one being set up?

Normally, I'd not even have that thought, yet something about tonight has me rattled. Chanel's face pops into my mind, and I groan.

"Get it together," I mutter, then veer into traffic. I race through town, weaving in and out of traffic, pissing off a lot of drivers. But I don't care.

People may say reckless driving is risky, but they have no idea what risky is. My entire life is one big gamble. And I'm starting to resent it more and more.

It takes about twenty minutes to arrive at Jacopo's house, where the gambling operations are headquartered.

I park, step out, then nod at the security guys. I make my way through the house, fist-bumping a few crew members, and finally end up outside the office. The head of security stands outside of the door.

"Luca," Andy says.

"I need to talk to Benny," I state. I assume Sid and Jimmy are with him, but Benny's the one in charge. So even if he's alone, the message will get to the others.

Andy knocks four times then opens the door. "Luca needs to see you."

"Let him in," Benny directs.

Andy motions for me to pass him. I step inside and close the door.

Clouds of cigar smoke fill the room. Three metal desks fill the space, along with walls of televisions to monitor games. The volumes are turned down. Stacks of cash and other valuable items such as watches, keys, and jewels fill the desks.

Benny's desk is in the middle. Jimmy and Sid are at their desks. I grab the chair in front of Jimmy's and sit.

Benny blows out a puff of his cigar, sets it on the ashtray, then peers at me. He asks, "Luca. What brings you here? You want to place a bet?"

I grunt. "Nah. Not looking to lose my cash today."

Jimmy chuckles. "You must be the worst gambler in history since you always say that."

I point to the items sprawled over his desk. "Not looking to have my possessions end up with you."

"So why are you on this side of town?" Benny questions.

My chest tightens. I lock eyes with him, asserting, "We have a problem."

Benny's eyes turn to beady slits. "Yeah, what's the problem?"

I scowl. "Jacopo said he has a job for us tonight at eleven. He says there's someone we need to take care of, and you three will want to be there."

"Who is it?" Benny interrogates.

I shrug. "Boss didn't say. Said he's keeping it under wraps, but we'll know when we get there."

Benny turns to Jimmy. "You think it's that corporate prick who our guys haven't been able to find?"

Jimmy's cheeks turn red. "It better be. That motherfucker owes us over thirty-k right now."

---