“Of course.”
I hang up the phone, our business complete. I click on Vito’s name next.
“Hello?”
“Tonight,” I tell him simply.
“Okay.”
“And send Lucia into my office.”
“I’ll send her down.”
I hang up, placing my phone down onto my desk this time.
There’s so much shit that I need to have handled, but important matters first, and Lucia should have an update for our most pressing concern.
My door opens and my little cousin steps in. I can feel the rage coming off of her. She won’t say anything, the bruises still sporting her face left over from the last time she stepped out of line. But from the glare she gives me and the way her hands are clenched into little fists, I know she’s thinking about killing me.
Literally.
I return her look.
Her jaw tightens before she moves into the seat in front of me, slow as she does it. I have a feeling her bruised ribs still haven’t recovered and frankly, she should be happy the damage isn’t worse.
She knew what was going to happen the second she took Winter to that club. But spite runs deep in the Costa family and when we want payback, we’ll get it, no matter the consequences.
“Where are you in finding out about The Drake?” I ask her.
The Drake has never been on the family’s radar before now. We’ve never contracted him, never needed to since we have Lucia. But he’s also never performed a hit on the family that we know of. Which is why it’s off that he picked up the contract on Winter’s head.
“I don’t know where he’s hiding out, but the contract is still valid.”
“What’s taking you so long?”
“Well,” sarcasm drips from her tone, “I’ve been a little occupied lately, if you can’t remember.” She gestures to her face.
I run my tongue along my teeth, refusing to start an argument with her. I wasn’t playing when I told Maximo that I’d have him put Lucia down if she continues to disrupt the family. But I can’t ignore that I need her, until this whole situation with The Drake is done. If anyone can find him, it’ll be her.
“Lucia,” I dead tone. “I don’t need the sarcasm, just do your fucking job and we won’t have any problems.” I point to the door. “Now, get out and call me if you have an update.”
She takes her leave in silence, at least until she slams my door behind her.
I sit back in my chair, rubbing my temples.
Some days I swear it’d be easier to just get rid of them all. My cousin, my brother, my best friend. Who is getting completely out of line with his feelings toward Winter, after I warned him against it.
I’ve seen Vito in love before, and while I know he isn’t in love with Winter, he’s completely on track to be so in a couple of months if he keeps following her around like a little love sick puppy.
If I don’t put a stop to it, I’ll have to put him down like a dog.
Pressure forms on my chest at the thought, but I push it away.
Son, you have to do whatever it takes to protect the family, even if it means hurting the people you care about.
My father had drilled the mantra into my head at a young age, especially when I’d have to watch him beat Maximo until my little brother could no longer move his own limbs.
It’d kill me to have to eliminate Vito, so I just need to put a stop to him and Winter now.