"I have no idea. Thinking about the future is time wasted for me. I can never be certain that I’m even going to be alive tomorrow, let alone in the long run,"he said dismissively.
He wanted to care badly. However, there was a huge gap between what he wanted and what he needed. And at this moment, he needed to put his Famiglia above all, even though all he wanted was to save Inéz from everything that could ever hurt her. Which included her job as a spy.
When Nicodemo had called him earlier, telling him about Inéz getting into that room with Gastone, he had almost immediately stood up and driven to the club. Without thinking of the consequences, he had wanted to go in there, throw the girl over his shoulder and leave, killing hisCapodecinaon the way out for good measure. And he would have probably done just that if not for his Enforcer stopping him. When it came to Inéz, he tended to forget how important it was to keep her involvement secret. And that it was also keeping her safe.
So he had resorted to waiting in the car until she was done, ignoring her phone calls to gather his thoughts. Get them under that control that he so fucking badly needed at the moment, but that kept evading him.
CHAPTER 37
Shifting his weight to his left foot after standing by the front door for so long, he checked his watch to see how much longer he would have to wait for Cristian to call him to make the necessary arrangements. It was already ten in the morning.
He was wearing his white dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and black pants, as he always loved the irony of preparing for a mob action wearing anything but appropriate clothes.
Inéz emerged from the kitchen, holding a plate of sandwiches. While Noah had insisted to take her back to her apartment, she had protested, saying that she wouldn’t be able to keep herself calm on her own, wondering what was happening. And the Capohadn’t had the heart to refuse her request. Since it would involve her friends as well, she preferred to be informed of everything as it happened.
A buzzing noise had him reaching for his phone, not taking his eyes off the girl who was merely standing a little further from him, curiosity written all over her face.
"What have you found out?" he answered, not wasting any time on pleasantries.
His brother appeared from behind Inéz at once, signaling to Noah to put the call on speaker.
"There are fourteen men inside, and at least six girls. Mostly prostitutes. I cannot be more precise. I got this information from their messenger when he left the hideout," he began. "The building has three levels. Two above ground and another one - the basement. Two men guard the main hall as you enter from the front, and one is in the back. Upstairs, the Pakhanresides in his office. It’s at the end of the corridor on the right of the highest floor. He’s never alone. The messenger said he doesn’t know for sure what goes on in the basement because he wasn’t allowed there, but he saw a few men gothere, coming back after a few minutes, sometimes more. And the prostitutes walk around the building whenever they want."
Noah smirked, realizing that the man who had stabbed him would most likely be in the building since there were so many people inside. He couldn’t wait to return the favor with his own knife and make it as painful and brutal as possible. Revenge was sweet.
"What about the rooftop? Any guards, or snipers?" Flavio chimed in, processing many different plans for attacking the hideout.
"None that I have seen. I highly doubt they would think of such protection without being given a good reason. And they couldn’t have found out about our plans," Cristian stated.
"Perhaps, but they were given a reason. Stabbing a Capowouldn’t slip their minds while setting up guard duties. It can hardly be considered an action that doesn’t bring consequences." A hint of exasperation appeared in the Underboss’ voice.
He wanted a precise answer without any hints of uncertainty.
Cristian snorted. "I can’t say for sure. However, since I’m still alive, there’s a big possibility that the Russians actually didn’t think about a rooftop guard."
Flavio rolled his eyes and retreated to the living room without another word, followed by Inéz.
"Alright,Iwillcallyouwiththeplanwhenwehave one, andthenwewillholdameeting with those I chose to take part in this endeavor," he said to his soldier and ended the call, returning to the main penthouse area.
The Underboss shook his head as an answer to something Inéz said that Noah hadn’t been able to hear. He put on his jacket and grabbed the car keys from the table. Then, he advanced towards his older brother. "I will give you all that fucking information tomorrow morning at the latest," he seethed, still angry at the incompetence of one of their best soldiers.
"Let me go with you, Flavio," said Inéz with determination.
"No. If someone sees you with me, your mission will be over," he snarled.
Noah regarded the girl who clearly wanted to be useful. And it wasn’t such a bad idea either. She was already a part of the Famiglia. Initiated, as the first woman in the Cosa Nostra. So, by taking into account her question of what he would do with her after Gastone was handled, he should permit her to go on routine assignments, and doing reconnaissance work was surely a good way to start.
"Take her with you, Flavio."
The Underboss glared at his brother, obviously not excited about the prospect. "I wanted to take Elio with me."
As Inéz had confirmed Elio’s lack of involvement in his father’s plans, the men were starting to slowly engage him in certain activities that hadn’t been part of his job description before. Working for a Capowas completely different
