That was all he said, and I didn't recognize the voice.
"Yes?" I asked.
"What the fuck is a Mariani doin' in my city?"
Staring at the ceiling, I tried to puzzle out who it could be. There were a few minor crime families in San Diego, but it was mostly run by a couple of powerful gangs. We had an understanding with them all. They stay out of our way, we stay out of theirs.
"Who is this?"
He snickered. "Wouldn't you like to know? Play your cards right, and maybe I'll tell you."
"How'd you get my number?"
"We got a new tech guy. Might even be better than you."
Goosebumps sprang up my back. He knew what I did for the family. Few people did and most were within our ranks. Someone had loose lips.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"You enjoying your little vacay with that pretty little blonde?" he asked. "Did she enjoy my flowers?"
"Stay the fuck away from her," I growled.
"I knocked, but lucky for her, she didn't answer. I left her alive and untouched, D'Angelo. Remember that."
I had no reply, so I glanced at my phone. The built-in tracer was already busy tracking the caller's location, but I needed to keep him talking. Preferably not about Markie.
"You gonna cut the bullshit and tell me what you want?"
He chuckled. "Right down to business. Just like your old man."
Was he trying to tell me he knew my father?
"You should have my location by now," he said. "Don't worry, I left you a present, too. You're welcome."
The call disconnected.
I glanced at my phone as the software I'd customized zeroed in on the exact location the call was made from. I sucked in a breath as the dot materialized.
Right outside the hotel.
My phone dinged with an incoming text.
"Ps. Tell your old man Adamo sends his regards."
Adamo? I only knew of one Adamo, and he was the capo of the Pelino family. Our families had once been allies, but that ended the day he shot and paralyzed Uncle Michael. Dread settled between my shoulders as I forwarded the text to my old man.
Father texted back,"Get the fuck out of there now. And be smart about it."
Markie was passed out on the couch, so I crept into Bones's room and gave him the rundown on the conversation.
"Gift?" Bones asked. "What gift?"
We looked through the peephole and saw nothing waiting for us in the hallway. Bones opened the door and I angled a handheld mirror to check it out. The hallway was clear.
"Has to be on the Hummer," I said.
We left Markie asleep in the suite and carried the luggage to the parking garage. Easing toward the vehicle, I pulled out the device scanner and went to work. The scanner picked up a small, unknown device under the engine.
