“So, you agree then. We should take them out before they’re fully integrated with the Bianchis?” I ask him as I stand my ground on the opposite side of the table.
“Not quite,” Carmine answers. “I’m not ready to take them down. Perhaps letting them get involved with the Bianchis and think they’re almighty and powerful will be good for us.”
I scoff. “How so?”
Carmine looks to Soren for a moment.
“It will give them a false sense of security,” Soren explains. “Of course, we need more information from Aleksandr about this arms deal that the Calvers arranged and what deal they’re arranging with the Calvers before we can make our own decisions.”
I growl under my breath. “I’m sick of this shit. Always waiting to hear from someone else. We need to make moves, Carmine. We need to take them down while they’re unguarded and at their lowest numbers yet.”
Alessio hums out his response. “He might be right, Carmine,” he says. “Once they’ve mingled their way into the Bianchi estate, they’ll be more power than they are now. We could get them while they’re in waiting.”
“Who’s to say they aren’t already making a deal with the Bianchis and their estate won’t be littered with them by the morning?” Carmine asks us. “What is the plan then, burst in and attack as many as we can without a thought for our lives?”
“Of course not!” I step around the table, closer to him. Closer to the rest of my brothers, and their partners. Damien stands in the back corner, watching curiously, but saying nothing.
“What are your thoughts on this?” I ask him.
He tilts his head to the side and looks at Alessio then to Carmine then back to me.
“I think if it were up to me, we’d be hitting the Bianchis house right now. Not just the Calvers,” he replies.
I smirk at him. “See, now that’s someone who knows what’s up,” I say while pointing at him. “I knew you were my favorite.”
“Tommy,” Carmine tries to reel me in. “We need to think carefully. We can’t act without a plan.”
“So, let’s make a fucking plan then!” I say, exasperated, waving my arms out to my sides. “We just keep talking about it and not doing anything.”
“We’re doing,” Carmine insists. “It’s just not at the pace you want so you’re trying to push things forward.”
I sigh. “Yes. Aren’t you all tired of this shit? We have enough enemies to deal with, the Bianchi actively trying to kidnap you should result in a bigger consequence than a slap on the wrist!”
Carmine shakes his head. “Right now, I want you working with Aleksandr, find out more about the Calvers and that bomb the Bianchis were going to plant but apparently never did. Find out why.”
My hands ball into fists. “I’ll get more information when I get it. If you can work slow as hell, so can I,” I spit back at him and then look around at everyone else in the room. “I can’t deal with you anymore.” I slam my fist down on the table. “You don’t listen to a thing I say.”
I turn around and storm out of the room, hearing my name called the entire time, but I ignore it and head for the front door. I’m done with all of this. I need…well, frankly I need Aleksandr, but I can’t call him. Text him. I need to forget about him.
I can’t go running to him every time something doesn’t go right. Yet, I find myself desperate for release, relief, at his hands. The way he tied me up in that hotel room… I haven’t felt so alive and satisfied in months, maybe even years.
For the first time, someone really understood what I needed, wanted…
Knowing what he can give me makes it difficult not to contact him and ask him to meet me somewhere. Somewhere dark and private. Somewhere we can be alone.
For whatever reason, the last time we fucked I’d told myself it would be the last time. There were more important things to focus on, and I wasn’t going to get myself involved with a man who could very well be killed in the whole process. If Aleksandr was caught by the Bianchis, he was a dead man.
It was a risk meeting with him to talk business, much less meeting for carnal needs. I could have been caught outside his hotel room and then never saw him again.
For some reason, I’m not willing to put him in danger tonight.
I’ve been to the Scarlet Night more times in the last month than I’ve been in a while. I enter through the back of the club so I don’t draw too much attention, but it doesn’t really matter. The second I’m at the bar ordering a drink, there’s eyes on me. Strong, tattooed, and brooding waves of energy rolling off me. It’s hard not to be noticed.
The bartender smiles at me and pours me the rum and coke I ordered before sliding it over. I down it in two gulps and ask for another one.
I just want to forget about everything going on. Including Aleksander. I can still feel the sting of his knife along my back and thigh. The cuts are still healing. Scabbing over and likely leaving small scars that will remind me of him for years to come.
If I could get someone here to do the same thing, it’ll be a miracle. Especially if the last guy who tried to hook up with here is any sign…
