The hard way. But the time away, living on the streets had been good for me.
Although some of our enemies would consider me a hardened man capable of doing the most heinous crimes.
Just like I’d been accused of.
What I had to do was lead.
Every man and woman in my employ needed me.
“Any news from the Russo family? Any additional threats?” The concern for retaliation had forced me to be placed in solitary confinement. That didn’t necessarily mean a threat had been made.
“The usual. Don Russo went on television and promised to find the person responsible, the wording he used implicating our family.”
I laughed at hearing Montgomery’s words. “As to be expected.”
“We also had a suspicious package outside Indulgence.” Sinclair was eying me carefully.
“Where was it?” I was instantly tense.
Montgomery sighed. “Near the back door.”
I could tell whatever was inside had unnerved them. “What was inside?” The way they all looked at each other meant it was something I didn’t want to hear. I rubbed my jaw, already tired of the mess that had been dropped into my lap. “Fucking just tell me.”
“A severed hand.”
It took me a few seconds to realize what Sinclair had said. “Whose?” Why was it they weren’t eager to provide me with the information? “Talk.”
“One of our father’s Capos has disappeared.” Montgomery had a difficult time admitting it. “DeMarco.”
DeMarco had been close to my father, a guy who’d come up through the ranks, earning my father’s trust years before. If Vitelli Russo was behind this, he could have used the ‘gift’ as a smokescreen, the hit at the courthouse the reason. Or the act could have been performed by someone else entirely. I’d suddenly accepted that the field was wide open.
Even Armand might do something so crass, swooping in and forcing me to remain as Underboss.
“Did you fucking try and find his body?” An old tactic used by one enemy against another. Send a body part to issue a strong warning. While rarely used any longer, it led me to believe Russo, whose family had controlled parts of the city for over a hundred years, was responsible. Tit for tat. It also meant they had plans on acting further on their need for revenge.
Sinclair looked me dead in the eye. “We’ve tried. We’d also added extra security to the entire block of our business. I’m surprised at the boldness of using Indulgence for their threats.”
“They knew we’d baby the business. What about cameras? Do not tell me they were disengaged.” We had a tight security system. I couldn’t believe anyone had managed to infiltrate it or the buildings.
“A figure in dark clothing who knew to keep his face from the camera.”
Classic and if someone knew how to avoid cameras that weren’t evident, that meant someone on the inside had provided credible information. “I don’t care what it takes, find out who left that goddamn package.”
Sinclair nodded. “We will.”
“So else what do you want to do?” Jaxon asked.
“At this point, we need to keep a close eye on the Russos. You can bet their entire family is locked down much like ours. I need to know what they are doing at all times. Plus, find out the information from the courthouse. Enlist Jacques to make it happen. We need to know if any were identified. I also want to know about the security cameras.”
I also needed to have a long discussion with Jacques about our father’s meeting.
“Do you want me to hack into them, boss?” Luc Tannon had been my father’s right-hand man, someone who’d come up through the ranks over the years, becoming almost like a son. For him to call me boss so soon meant great respect. He was a brilliant hacker, his capabilities often blowing me away.
“Let’s wait until the dust settles. But yes. I don’t want the Russos or any of our other enemies to get wind we’re weakened. This is like a ticking time bomb.”
“You’re nervous,” Sinclair said.
Chuckling, I took a sip of my drink. “I’m trying to maintain a calm exterior. Something just doesn’t feel right.”
