“As many as we can spare, but don’t stop selling to do it. I don’t want the city to think we’re gearing up for war.”
The guys went silent and looked at each other. I could read their expressions and I felt my jaw clench. They looked confused, like I just said something stupid.
The dumb bastards. They thought like every other asshole in this city. Every time there was a little hint of violence between gangs, suddenly that meant a war was about to break out—but I wanted to avoid war at all costs. That didn’t mean we weren’t going to mount an offensive and punish Jarvis for what he did, but we didn’t have to be obnoxious about it.
I’d make sure Jarvis burned. There was no doubt in my mind that he’d pay for hurting Cora like that—I wasn’t about to let the city freak out about it though.
“Ain’t that what we’re doing?” Aldrik asked. “I mean, he tried to kill you.”
“You’re right, but it’s not war, not yet.”
“Uh. Right, okay, boss.” Enrico frowned and shook his head.
I reached out and grabbed his arm, squeezing tight. His eyes went wide and he flinched back. I couldn’t let them think I was going soft, not right now. Men like Enrico and Aldrik responded to brutality and strength, and even if I had a good reason to take it easy and go slow, they wouldn’t quite understand.
They weren’t the brightest men in the world, but they were ruthless, efficient, and effective. I kept them around for a reason.
“Don’t misunderstand me,” I said, my voice a low growl. “We’re going to gut Jarvis and piss on his intestines. But I don’t want a full-blown war, not right now. Do you understand?”
“Sure, boss.”
I squeezed his arm hard, fingers digging into his muscle. I wanted to rip it off and beat him bloody—but realized I was projecting my anger onto the wrong person. I released him and picked up my whiskey, slamming it back in one go as he rubbed the spot where I’d grabbed.
“We don’t have time for a war right now,” I said. “The city’s on the edge and if we push it over in the wrong direction, things might go to shit. Trust me when I say that it’s better if we take care of this as fast and as quietly as we can.”
“All right, I got it,” Enrico said, looking at Aldrik.
“I can do fast and quiet.” Aldrik chugged half his beer and burped.
“That’s how you do all the girls,” Enrico said. “Fast and quiet, you fucking prick.”
Aldrik laughed and punched Enrico in the arm. “Shut up, you needle-dicked cocksucker.”
“You two can flirt somewhere else,” I snapped, feeling my mood darken. “Get out there and find me Jarvis. Don’t make any other moves, only find him and get a feel for his crew. You understand?”
“Roger that.” Enrico hopped up, his beer untouched. “We’ll start tonight.”
“Sure, boss.” Aldrik burped and followed Enrico out to the door.
I watched them go, frowning. Those idiots might screw this up. Maybe I should’ve called someone else, someone smarter and more discreet, but those two were my best street guys, my most violent and dependable men. They were loyal to a fault and if something went bad, it wouldn’t be because they didn’t care—if anything, they cared way too much.
“What do you think of all this?” I asked, keeping my voice low as Marlon refreshed my drink.
Cora raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you’re asking me?”
“Yeah, I’m asking you.”
“I didn’t realize you cared what I thought.”
“Now you’re being dramatic.”
She snorted. “I don’t think I am, but okay, sure.”
“So? What do you think?”
“I think you’re right to take it slow.”
I grunted and tossed back half my drink. “But?”
“Those two didn’t seem happy about it.”
“Those two would sooner kill you than shake your hand.”
“They sound like real gentlemen.”
“They’re more or less monsters, but that’s the sort of man I need around me in times like this.”
She swirled her wine and stared at the bottles lining the wall across from us. A couple more people came in through the door, an older woman with tattoos on her arms and her husband in baggy faded denim.
“Are you sure about that?” She ate another French fry then nudged the plate in my direction.
I took one and swallowed it down. It tasted like grease and salt though I wasn’t much in the mood for eating.
“The whole point of our marriage was to keep the city from freaking out about Hedeon taking over the Volkov family. We’re supposed to show that we’re stable and not interested in violence.”
“And yet here we are.” She took a fry and twirled it in the air. “Not doing such a good job.”
I gave her a look. “What do you suggest we do?”
“Negotiate.”
I shook my head. “Fuck that.”
“Why not?”
“They tried to kill us.”