Captured by the Mob (Bianchi Crime Family 2)

Chapter One

Nero

“Any problems that I need to be made aware of?” Dom asks as we sit in his office, sipping our coffee. We’re having our weekly morning meeting before we handle our day-to-day operations. I live less than a mile down the road from his estate, which makes it easy for these early-ass days.

“Nothing on my end, but you know, the day’s only just begun.”

Just as the words are out of my mouth, the office door bursts open. Our eyes go straight to the door and to the man standing there. “We have a problem. A major discrepancy, as a matter of fact,” Niccolò blurts out in a rush of words as he storms into Domani’s office with his dress shirt rumpled like he’s been up all freaking night. I set my coffee down and stare at him. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’d found someone to warm his bed, but the man lives like a hermit surrounded by his books.

“Well, good morning, brother.” Dom raises his hand, stopping his brother from going off the handle. It’s only seven, and Niccolò looks as if he’s gonna jump out of his skin with anxiety if he doesn’t get this off his chest.

“Sorry—good morning, Dom, Nero.” I acknowledge his greeting with a nod and then go back to my cup of coffee. I have a feeling I’m going to need it. Nico’s not prone to outbursts or looking so damn disheveled, so all hands need to be on deck for this one.

“I’d offer you some coffee, but I’m guessing you’ve already had an entire pot.” I have to bite the inside of my cheek to hold back the chuckle. “So now that we got that out of the way—the who, what, and whys.”

He adjusts his glasses, pushing them back up his nose and then takes a deep breath before beginning his tale. “Well, I noticed that the money from the Eastside Market has been short. Looking back at the records from the shop owner, money has been missing every month. Our runners don’t know that we get a report from the client as well. Comparing the two, it’s clear as day that Eddie Walsh has been skimming off the top and handing in false reports.”

“Okay. Are you sure?” Nico gives his brother the are you kidding me look. The man knows his numbers to the point of some Rain Man-type shit. If he says it’s wrong, then it is.

“Fine. Where is this asshole?”

Nico sets a document down on Dom’s desk. “I don’t know exactly where he’s hiding out at. That’s not my area.” He looks at me and then back to Dom. “I have his contact info, but I don’t know where he stays. I noticed he started looking like a dopehead the last time he made a deposit.”

So there’s a chance he could be hiding anywhere. I’ll sniff that fucker out. It’s my job, after all. I’m the underboss and one hell of an enforcer. I’ve found and dealt with more of our enemies than anyone else.

“Give Nero his number, and then you go back and get some fucking sleep. You look like shit.” Damn, those are fighting words in this family. We all take pride in dressing well. The clothes make the man. No one would take us seriously if we strolled in looking like Nico right now.

“I thought getting married and having your heir would make you a happier man,” Nico mutters, adjusting his clothes a bit and brushing his hands down his suit jacket. Again, I have to hold back the laugh that’s tickling the back of my throat.

“I’m fucking ecstatic when there aren’t problems taking me away from my queen.” Dom turns to address me. “You know what to do, Nero.” He hands me the number on a piece of paper.

“Yes.” I nod and make a note to run a tracker on his number. There’s too much going on to handle the matter at the moment. I keep my seat while Nico leaves, closing the door behind him.

“Damn, Nico needs to loosen up.” I adjust my sleeves and shake my head. If anyone else had said that to Dom, he would have them pinned to the wall with a gun in their mouth, but since they’re both my cousins, I get away with saying it.

“Tell me about it. That stress is going to send him to the hospital. I don’t need this added problem. I need to head over to my Northside distillery and check on the plans for the expansion.”

“Sounds good. I’ll make sure to have this taken care of by the end of the day.” I’m not one to fail on assignments, even if it means taking me away from my usual days at our investment firm.

“I know you will.”

We shake hands and leave his office just in time for his wife to come up to us in the entryway. “On your way out?” she asks me as Dom drags her to his side. The man is obsessed with his wife, and it’s plain for everyone to see. Not that I’m complaining, because I like Aria.