The idea of investigating my boss makes me nauseous. Instead, I decide to talk to Isabella. See if she’ll let me see the journal or at least tell me what is in it.
I wish I had someone I could discuss this with. To see if I’m seeing real connections or just shadows.
But I need more evidence before I can even think about voicing my suspicions. And I need to be careful who I talk to.
Because if I'm right, I could become a target of someone who’s been entrusted to uphold the law, but is willing to break it, even commit murder, to bring down La Corona.
DOM
It’s been a few days and the dock situation gnaws at me. Something's off about that new hire.
Too eager, too convenient.
In my world, coincidences don't exist. But that’s why I hired him. I want to know for sure if I’m paranoid or right.
My father taught me this lesson when I was fourteen: "Everyone who enters our circle must be vetted, Dominic. One weak link breaks the entire chain." It seems like La Corona has had many weak links over the last few years.
They’ve either been turned against us or manipulated.
I trust Angelo will find everything I need to know about Michael Russo, whether he’s who he says he is, from a rival family, or maybe law enforcement.
I've given the newcomer legitimate work for now. Let him think he's in. Let him get comfortable.
The moment we identify him as a threat, I'll handle it personally.
The irony isn't lost on me that while I'm hunting a potential rat, I'm sleeping with a federal agent.
If…or maybe when, La Corona finds out, they’ll have my head on a stake.
My phone rings, and Angelo’s name pops up.
“Angelo.”
“Got the info on the new guy.” His tone suggests I won’t like it.
“I’m listening.”
“Michael Mullen. Thirty-one. New hire in the organized crime division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
I blow out a breath.
“You’ve got some Spidey sense about this, boss. You were right to be suspicious.”
The fact that I hoped I was paranoid doesn’t help. I should have known. The desperation seemed genuine enough, but the eagerness to do "anything" and “run errands" was too obvious.
The question is whether or not Olivia sent him in or her boss. The thought of Olivia being involved in this makes my chest burn.
I trusted her, as much as I can trust anyone outside the family. Did she send this kid to my docks while I was warming her bed?
Or was it Blackwood pulling strings, and if so, is it with or without her knowledge?
I weigh my options. The simplest solution would be to make Agent Mullen disappear. It's what my father would have done without hesitation. But I meant what I told Olivia.
Killing law enforcement brings more heat than it's worth. He disappears and there’s no question who made it happen. No. I need to be smarter than my father was. More calculated.
"Keep him on regular shifts. Legitimate work only. Watch everything." This could be an opportunity. Let the FBI think they've successfully infiltrated my operation while I feed them exactly what I want them to see. Meanwhile, I'll be learning what they're after, who's running the operation, and how deep it goes.
“The forklift has been acting up lately,” Angelo says, suggesting Michael could have an accident.
