Walking through the rows forced a pleasant expression to my face, the best I could muster as I nodded to the few other members of the city council, the mayor’s office, and the Chicago PD. The way to the black and white room was closed off to the rest of the public. Two museum attendants stood there, ushering people away, the path blocked by a red rope. However, the moment I walked forward, they opened it without question. Dino did not follow me. He knew not to whenever I was meeting Italo.
The man was a modern-day gigolo, with a boyish look to him, despite the fact that he was only a year younger than me. He had a freckled face with curly, ear-length, dark-brown hair. For some reason, women seemed to love him, but I could not see why. But I did not care, either, so long as he got me what I needed. He stood in front of a large black and white painting of an elephant in the wild. The painting was so big that it took up the whole space of the wall. He was dressed in ripped jeans and a leather jacket with a beanie on his head. He smelled like church essence.
“Where the hell have you been?”
“Some chick’s apartment on 43rd.” He grinned, turning back to me. “Hello, boss, how is the fancy party?”
“What have you found out?” I asked, outstretching my hand.
He reached into his coat, pulling out a small tablet. “Your cousin, Killian, seems to be preparing for a big-time comeuppance by cutting you out.”
I stared at the picture of the females surrounded in a dark clubhouse. From the outside, it looked exactly like the rumors said. That after the death of his mother, Killian had become a drunken playboy who just threw money at strippers all day. But I knew him better than anyone else. He had ambition, dedication, and he was far too angry at me to slip into drunkenness.
“Let me guess; the women are attached to cartel leaders?”
“How’d you know?”
“Because if I were him and needed to be under the radar, but also wanted to grow my power and influence, I would do the same.” Only I wouldn’t be so fucking sloppy about it. Fucking idiot.
“He’s supposed to meet someone tonight. I couldn’t find out who. But he’s been burning money fast. And he’s become very popular.”
“Everyone knows I’m supposed to be giving a speech in my mother’s honor tonight. He believes it’s the best time to move.”
“So, what should I do?”
I stared at the tablet gripping it tightly. All of them were the same. All of them. So stupid that I could not stand it anymore.
“Break his fucking legs!” I sneered.
“Boss—”
“Did you hear me?” I asked, turning to him. “He
wants to play big, then show him how high the price is.”
“Understood.”
“And…let’s stop right there.”
We both turned to see my wife, dressed in a long, black-satin gown with a high leg splits, and two large emerald butterflies hanging from her ears. She stepped into the gallery, glowing, not a dark circle or a look of sickness anywhere in sight. I had a feeling Dino did not just get word that she was coming. She walked directly up to me and smiled.
“Hello, boss.” Her sultry rang in my ear.
I glared down at her. “Once again, I must ask who is the boss here? You or me.”
“The answer is the same as the last time you asked,” she replied before looking to Italo. “Why the hell do you smell like church essence?”
“Because of some chick on 43rd,” I answered for him.
Her eyebrow raised, not understanding or not caring. “Give us a moment, Italo.”
He glanced at me, and I nodded for him to go.
“See, look at that; he looked to you before leaving. You are definitely the boss here.”
“You could not take one day off?” I asked her. “You should be resting. I have this handled.”
“I’m rested, and you do not have this handled. You were about to place a hit out on your cousin.” She frowned as if she had not done worse.