I don’t wait to exchange pleasantries. “I’m over this shit. They shot up a club last night over a single fucking kilo of coke. Four civilians are dead and three more are in the hospital. I’m done. They are done. I’m wiping them completely the fuck out of Illinois, not just Chicago.”
Carlo Toro is silent. He’s my underboss—I’m only a capo. I have no desire to have his title. I should not be telling him shit. Usually, I prefer Carlo’s conservative actions, or rather lack of action. I’m of the same mind that violence and blood is a last resort, something to be done only after careful consideration. I’ve considered it and it’s time. These MC bastards keep trying to push into Chicago. I’ve personally taken out three of them in the last few years, other members of the family have taken out almost a dozen. The pieces of shit keep coming back. It’s time to end this.
“That much blood will cost us.”
“It’s been costing us. You’ve lost two good men, and other family have lost several more. We made our choices. It’s the civilians they keep killing that needs to end. The four in the club make twenty-two this year. No more. I’ll be going to them at their headquarters in Springfield. No blood will spill on our streets.”
“I’ll confirm it with Johnny. Will you need more men?”
“No, my men and a small measure of outside help will give me what I need.”
“Outside help?” He doesn’t like the sound of that.
“Information only.” The lie falls easily from my lips.
A sigh. “If you need anything let me know.”
Ending the call with Carlo, I hit send on another number.
I never hear the line ring. “Mr. Sabatini, how may I help you today?”
“I’m ready to press play on the ending of the MC.”
“My man in place is deep, likely unable to make contact until this time next week. I’ll have everything ready for when he does. Do you still want to be there?”
“I do. I have told you, I prefer to be hands-on in all things.”
A dark chuckle. “After having so many cowards for clients, it’s always refreshing to deal with you, Dominic. Your presence will necessitate a further level of protection for you. There is no use in making this look like an unfortunate accident if someone sees you in the vicinity.”
“You prefer I not be involved.” I might only be a capo, but I rule my territory with ruthless control. Other capos come to me for things they feel they cannot go to Carlo for, be it advice or how to best resolve an issue. I don’t like being told what to do. In anything.
“Since we last spoke, your name has been mentioned among the MC. You are already being singled out by them. Your safety is my utmost concern.”
I consider his warning. “Mentioned?”
“In a general sense of bitching about their lack of traction in the city. If I believed there was a cause for concern, you would know it already. Remember, if you are dead, my income goes down.”
The man’s services can only be afforded by very deep pockets, and he’s worth every fucking penny. “I trust you know what is best.” There are not many men I trust with my life, over the last few years, Diego Valdez has proven himself to be one of those few men. “I will leave you to it.”
“I will confirm with you when it is done.”
Ending the call, I consider the mention of my name among the MC, then shrug. This is the life. Rarely does talk lead to action.
I take the elevator down. Vincent is waiting as the doors open. Only four people have a card to scan that gets the elevator to move. He’s one of them, which means he was waiting for me. “Six months, you’re going through them quicker lately. The blondes aren’t worth it.”
“Warning, she threw a lamp. Watch your step up there. Richie has her in the office of the club and is keeping an eye on her.”
He sighs. “They always get all tortured when you throw them away. Losing you destroys them.”
I shake my head. “They get destroyed about the money they are losing. They get over me within a day.”
Everett is waiting in my Mercedes Maybach SUV in front of the building. I inherited Everett from my cousin, Enzo, last year. My driver at the time wanted to retire. I asked Everett if he was interested in driving for me. He hesitated for a moment when I told him the vehicle was made bulletproof before he accepted the offer. So far so good.
“Afternoon, sir, everything all right?” Everett asks as I close the door.
A glance at my watch tells me I am running behind by almost an hour. I would like to think I’m not rigid; however, I’m rarely off schedule by more than ten minutes. I’m up at one and at my father’s home for my breakfast and his lunch at one thirty. I leave his home after about an hour then go into one of my offices, either my realty business or my retail business selling high-end home finishes. After a few hours I go to the other office. I’m at the club a little after seven to eat dinner, where I stay until the club closes at four in the morning. Shutdown usually takes around an hour, then it’s into my personal gym for a workout before I’m in bed around seven.
“Ms. Patterson will no longer be driven. Once you drop me off, return to help Vincent get her and her things back to her place.”