“But the door, Michael?” he questions.
“I’ve got two MC guys out there standing guard. We’re good. I think everyone will feel better if you remain in here with us.” I chuckle to lighten the mood a bit, and the others follow suit.
“I know you all are worried about what happened here tonight, and I want to assure you this hit was on me and my family. It has nothing to do with your respective families. This is the Gallardi Cartel telling me personally they are not happy with my answer in a business proposition. I believe your families are safe and that they would not involve you all in this, but if I were you, I would still take precautionary measures to beef up your security.
“Michael, how can you be so sure we are safe?” Constantine asks.
“Because the deal they offered was with me and the Vitalis. I didn’t give them an answer when they wanted it. This was a warning for me. They knew we would hear them coming, and they knew we would get everyone to safety. Sure, they tore up the pool area and patio, but it can all be fixed. Now, when I give them my answer, they will even be more slighted, but I will be prepared for them.”
They nod.
“Thank you all for your understanding. We’ll talk soon,” I say, and they proceed to get up from the table and head out of the room.
My phone rings, distracting me from following them out. Who the fuck would be calling me at this hour? I look at the number, but it says:Unknown Caller. I never get these kinds of calls on my personal cell phone, so my curiosity is piqued. “Hello?”
The chilling voice on the other end of the call echoes in my ears. “Mr. Vitali, I am calling to inform you that we have your wife. I’m sure you know what will happen if you try to find her or contact the authorities about her disappearance. Make the deal with Gallardi, and your wife returns home in one piece.” The line disconnects.
“Michael, what is it?” Ricco asks.
“They’ve got Zaira,” I reply.
Vince stops in his tracks and turns toward me. “What the fuck, Michael?”
