Hearing the door handle turn, I straighten my shoulders and pull my hands from my pockets to hang at my sides. Nodding my head in respect, I wait until my gaze is met with a responding nod before I speak. “Capo Famiglia.”
As usual, with our meetings he takes his time acknowledging me, a bored expression on his face when he finally turns his attention on me. “Jessie.” He crosses his arms over his chest, the tattoos on his wrists peeking between the leather gloves he’s wearing and his suit sleeves. He only ever wears them when he’s up to something particularly nefarious, and it makes me wonder who pissed him off already today.
I tilt my head toward the dead man behind me, “The package has been taken care of.”
He hums, eyes coasting over the corpse like he’s admiring a painting. “I’ll have someone pass the news on to Joseph. I’m sure he’ll be pleased.” His black gaze flicks up to meet mine, “Good work once again, Wolf.”
Clasping my hands together, I nod, silently accepting his praise as he slowly circles the chair, coming back to stand in front of me. They call me Wolf, but he’s the real predator here.
“You’re requesting a transfer?” It’s asked casually, but it throws me off guard. I should be used to the way he shifts conversations by now.
“I am.” I’m still running things in Alabama, and I only came back to New York to run this particular errand. I am the best at finding secrets, after all. “I don’t have a need to be in Alabama anymore. Someone else could just as easily oversee operations down there.”
He chuckles, the sound crawling up my spine, a warning tickling along my skin that makes the hairs on my arms stand on end. Even his amusement comes out as a threat. “Donatello will love this.” It’s said more to himself than me, so I remain quiet. “Granted, Wolf, but only because I like the idea of my Consigliere squirming over you being here.”
Pushing a long breath through my nose, I swallow through the anxiety my next question brings in my chest. “I would also like your permission to see Delaney.”
His brow arches as we lock eyes, the moment stretching into a heavy silence before he speaks. “You’re aware she’s taken.” It’s not a question but a statement, and I nod in answer. I am well fucking aware.
With a slight tilt to his head, his black eyes narrow on me, my palms becoming sweaty with the look. “I don’t like to repeat myself, but I’ll indulge this one time.” He steps forward, his presence slamming into me with the force of a brick wall even though he’s still a good five feet away. “Se prendo anche solo una lacrima con il tuo nome dietro, ti costringerò a nutrirti dei tuoi testicoli mentre guardi la tua dolce mamma degradarsi come una sporca puttana di strada per tutti i miei uomini.” If I catch even a single tear with your name behind it, I’ll force feed you your own testicles while you watch your sweet mama degrade herself like a filthy street whore for all of my men.
My blood runs cold at his threat, knowing without a doubt that he means every word he’s said. Remy Luciano, Capo Famiglia, is nothing if not a man of his word. I’ve been around long enough to witness his cruelty, and was raised to respect his beast.
Wetting my dry lips, I nod in understanding. He has no need to worry; I’d never hurt a single hair on that girl’s head. She’s a fucking queen, my queen. “Not to speak out of line, but I think my attention is much more sincere than what your sister currently has.”
His dark eyes pass over me in contemplation, their phantom weight heavy on my shoulders as the corner of his lip tips slightly, an almost invisible smirk. “I like you, Wolf. Don’t fuck shit up for yourself.” His barely there smirk disappears. “Donatello Genovese knows his time is limited, where my patience is concerned.”
His praise floods me with a sense of pride and slight relief. I’m unsure if he’s looking for a response, so I remain silent once more, acknowledging his words with a tilt of my chin. I watch as he pulls his phone from his pocket, his eyes dropping from me and onto the screen.
“Move to the south warehouse. Have your men start immediately. I won’t allow a delay in shipments.” He says it almost absentmindedly, smiling at a text that pops up on the screen. If I had to guess, the message is from his wife. “Unless you have anything else to say, we’re done here.” His face is back to its usual one of derision when his eyes meet mine.
“No. Thank you for your time Capo Famiglia.”
He hums, dismissing me with a flick of his fingers. “Have this mess cleaned up.” I stand in place as he walks toward the door, watching as he pauses to look over his shoulder at me. “Don’t disappoint me.”
The remark hits me straight in the chest, threatening to knock me to my knees with the power behind the statement. He’s out the door before I can decide if I should respond or not, the door shutting behind him leaving behind an empty silence, the only noise a soft dripping onto the concrete floor.
Moments later, Luca is back by my side, feet shuffling back and forth like he can’t wait to get my attention. “What Luca?” I finally ask, a quick glance thrown his way.
“Nothing. It’s just good having you back.”
Ignoring his remark, I wave toward some of the soldiers standing near us. “Take Chancler to the yards. If The Westies want the body, they can pick it up there, if not, the birds can have it.”
They nod, and I
