“You said with the help of your father and Carla, I could have my biometrics programmed into the Russo network.”
My heart starts to race, and I have to block out the sheer despair coming from the other three to concentrate. This is what we needed, and I am not going to fail now.
“Yes,” I reply hesitantly, not wanting to seem too eager. “With both of them, it could be possible.”
“Gregor, get them here,” Mario orders, and Gregor frowns.
“Is that a good idea? The Russo network went into hiding. We haven’t been able to root them out yet. By bringing Stefano here, we are giving them a chance to rescue him.”
“They don’t know he’s alive,” Xavier points out, and the other three just stare at him in shock, like they can’t believe he isn’t upset about Addi.
Comprehension suddenly dawns on Colton’s face, and he whispers something in Vienna’s ear. Her head shoots up, and she glares at me, but I don’t acknowledge it, because Mario’s attention is on me. Tristan’s face is blank, like he’s shut down completely. I hope they will all forgive me for not warning them, but it isn’t like I’ve really had a chance to. Fucking secrets. I hope this one doesn’t mess everything up again.
“The cook and butler do, and we can’t find them anywhere,” Gregor argues, and Mario scoffs.
“Please, the domestic help is hardly going to be a problem. They probably escaped back to Europe on the first flight out.” He chuckles darkly. “No loyalty shown there at all.” He smirks at me, and I grit my teeth, stopping myself from replying to the dig.
Thank goodness he has no idea that they are not just domestic help, but integral cogs in the Russo machine.
“Get them here today,” he tells Gregor and the goon who still stands by the doorway. Fuck, I need them to wait a couple more days to retrieve them. I can’t have them returning my father and aunt to wherever they’ve been stashed before the wedding. Before I can come up with some kind of excuse, Gregor shakes his head.
“We can’t. The FBI is going to have eyes on us for at least a few days, so we need to play it cool. We also need to bail out the rest of our crew before they can start pressuring them for information. That needs to be a priority.”
“And don’t forget my wedding rehearsal dinner tomorrow night,” Stacey chimes in. She’s been looking entirely too pleased with how upset everyone is. “At least we don’t have to worry about the stupid kid anymore. We will soon have a blood Maricuso baby to be your heir, and I’m sure it will be a boy.” I don’t know what Stacey’s smoking, but she’s fucking delusional as she puts her hand on Tristan’s arm. He doesn’t even shrug it off, like he’s completely checked out. Fuck.
Mario growls. “Fine, get the lawyers on it, but I want them here by Tuesday at the latest,” he orders Gregor, who nods, looking slightly relieved. That gives us two days to get a plan in motion. I can’t hold off on sharing everything with the others, but we need a safe place we can talk. Actually, maybe I have an even better idea.
“I think I can probably help you with your drug issue too,” I say, feigning reluctance, and Mario’s eyebrows shoot up and his eyes shine with interest.
“I remembered we have a warehouse a few hours north. If you allow me to use the helicopter, I can show the boys where it is and organize for it to be transported.”
He narrows his eyes. “Why can’t you just tell them where it is?”
“I could, but they will still need my biometrics to get into the warehouse. We haven’t been able to program yours in yet,” I point out, relieved that is the case.
Mario frowns and grunts. “Fine, go. Take an inventory and let me know how many trucks to send,” he orders Xavier, who nods. “And for God’s sake, shut up, girl. You’re giving me a headache,” he screams at Vienna, who still sobs loudly.
“Can we take her with us today? It might help distract her from her loss,” Colton asks flatly, and this finally gets a reaction from Tristan.
“What the fuck is wrong with you two?” He pushes his chair back violently, and it tumbles over. “It’s like neither of you care that our daughter has been taken. Instead of all this bullshit, we should be figuring out how to get her back,” he screams, gesturing wildly.
“Enough!” Mario shouts and slams his hands down on the table. “That is enough. The girl is gone. There is nothing to be done about it now. I can’t go up against the cartel while I’m in the middle of taking over the Russo empire. I don’t have the manpower.”
Tristan’s mouth twists in an ugly grimace. “Well, I guess you have nothing to hold over us now. I’m not doing any of your dirty work anymore.” He turns his back on Mario and walks away.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that, boy. I won’t let you marry my niece,” Mario threatens. Stacey screeches, ‘No!” finally joining the conversation.
Tristan turns and scoffs, laughing darkly. “Like I give a fuck. I never wanted to marry the bitch anyway.”
Gregor’s eyes narrow, and he opens his mouth to respond, but Mario beats him to it.
“If you want that little slut in one piece, then you will do exactly what I tell you to. If you don’t, I’ll give her to the guys to console them after they are bailed out.” He points at Vienna, who sniffles and blanches, shaking her head.
Tristan’s shoulders sag, and Mario knows he won. Tristan won’t do anything to jeopardize Vienna’s safety. He still has them by the short and curlies.
“Now get out of my sight. I don’t want to see any of you today until that drug supply has been secured. If you return without it, I will make you all pay,” he threatens, and I wince.
Fuck, we do have an upstate warehouse for our drugs, but that wasn’t what I planned for the day. I can work around it though. It’s mainly another warehouse of weed, but I’m pretty sure there are pills and coke stored there too. I’ll have to ask Sage when I see him.
