Vincent isn’t surprised when I tell him. “This is a good thing, for the entire family. I’ll step up, Boss. You won’t need to take it all on by yourself. I know how hands-on you prefer to be, but it will be understandable if you aren’t.”
Shaking my head, I work at containing my anger. “One issue at a time.”
He nods as he stops for a red light.
The place has an underground garage unstaffed, perfect. We go around then double back two blocks. I get out of Vincent’s Escalade and into a plain white cargo van with the name of a painting supply company that doesn’t exist on the side. After tonight it will be a plain white cargo van with another name of a business that doesn’t exist, and the plates Mikey stole will be tossed.
Inside the van plastic is laid out, held down by five-gallon drums of paint. Vincent gets into the back, I take the passenger seat, and Mikey drives us to the garage. It takes a minute for the electronic device to find the right code to get the gate open. The Ferrari takes almost five minutes to find, there’s an empty spot just one over from it.
I make the call to Carlo. Pulling my Sig from its ankle holster, I thread the suppressor onto it. Briefly, I close my eyes, touching the cold, letting it come over me. Now we wait.
More than ten minutes pass before I spot Sal. His steps are slow, shuffling. He’s wasted. I exit the van, come up behind Sal, guiding him toward the van. The dumbass is so out of it, he doesn’t even react until we’re almost to the van.
“What the—”
Two shots, one in the chest sends him through the open doors and the other through the back of the head. The shots are barely coughs punctuating the echoing empty dark. Mikey slides Sal’s body further into the van. Vincent pulls out the plastic from under the paint drums to wrap it around Sal’s body.
Mikey opens the passenger door for me, I get in. The garage is still empty as we leave. Vincent and I get out of the van beside the car.
“I’ll take it from here, Boss.” Mikey holds his hand out for my gun. I wipe it down then hand it to him. He’ll dispose of it far from where he dumps Sal.
I make the call to one of Carlo’s men. “It’s done.” The ice floats away, but it’s always there just under the surface when I need it.
***
Regina
I’m in the library when I hear the indicator for the elevator. It isn’t easy to make myself stay where I am. I recognize Dominic’s step as he walks down the hall; he is silent in the open doorway. The feel of his eyes on me is too strong to ignore. Tension is in every line of him.
“What happened?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing, I just came back to change. I need to get down to the club. I’ll be there until about five, maybe six in the morning. Then I sleep. I’ll be up around one. We’ll figure out the wedding plans then.”
I’m drawn to him even though everything in him is screaming to stay the hell away. He takes a step back; I reach out and catch his wrist. “Dominic, please tell me what happened.”
His strong jaw works, I long to touch the skin there. I spot it, there’s blood splatter on the white cuff of his shirt. “Whose blood is it?”
He yanks his arm from me. “Sal’s. When Johnny dies, I become underboss, and before it’s all over I’ll be Don.”
“I’m sorry.” The words are a whisper. I should be afraid of him—he’s nearly vibrating with rage. I’m not. He’s not mad at me. I know he won’t hurt me, not physically. It’s just my heart he’ll break into a million pieces. “I am so sorry.” I don’t know what else to say.
I gasp in shock at how fast he moves. My hair is in his hand and he’s yanking my head back to look up at him. “How sorry are you, princess?”
His words are a purr, and oh god they make everything inside me hot and wet and aching. Those blue eyes are fire burning into me. “Are you sorry enough to give me the relief I need, hmm? I need it bad, princess.”
The sound of a zipper moving causes my nipples to harden and wet heat floods my panties. He’s guiding me down to my knees. I fight him, his grip becomes punishing. “I need your mouth. Your beautiful, tempting mouth that had me coming in minutes when I’ve lasted for hours.”
My mouth waters, and my knees weaken. His large hand is stroking his thick length, and I long to touch and taste him all over again. “Show me how sorry you are, princess.”
Even as a tiny voice is screaming no, I’m reaching for him, desperate to give him what he needs. To answer my own greedy need.
“Dom, it’s Johnny.”
Shame slams into me. Marco is down the hall, I can’t see him, don’t dare look. Dominic’s hand tightens in my hair. “Tell him I’ll call him back, for fuck’s sake.”
“I already said that, Boss. He’s demanding to speak to you.”
Cursing, Dominic releases me then his hands go around my arms, setting me on my feet. Immediately, I flee to my room, slamming the door behind me.