Page 70 of Never Say Never

Paul: You know what. The reason you're acting weird.

The dancing dots were going to drive me insane. They appeared and then disappeared in the next second. As minutes went by, the realization that York wasn't going to text back settled in.

I pulled to a stop a few blocks from the docks. My anger was at a new level. I slammed the door, not caring who heard or if anyone was watching. He couldn't just tell me he suspected me? I'd be able to make a clean break and go back to my family, the one thing I'd wanted since having to split from my twin.

The dank air barely registered as I made my way over to the location. I read over the numbers, having to double back a few times. I was that angry. I blew out a breath, tasting the salt in the air.

Cargo 6685342HGBP.

"Fucking finally." I kept my head down as I glanced around, just in case. I opened the door and stopped in my tracks. In the middle of the damn shipping container was one of Qiang's son's, Ai. The only reason I knew was because he was on the FBI most wanted list along with a few others in the Triads.

The war was getting bad; there were hits in the middle of New York. What used to be neutral territory was now every man for themselves, and the fucking news didn't shut up about it. In turn, it made my job on both sides that much harder.

I stepped in all the way, his gaze zeroed in on me, watching my every step.

"How in the fuck did that old man catch you?"

There was no answer, not with a gag firmly in his mouth. A part of me didn't care for the answer. Right now, I felt he was the perfect distraction. My phone chimed, and I really should ignore it, but I couldn't help myself. I was a sucker for punishment.

York: Nothing. I'll see you at work tomorrow.

Fuck my life. "What is that supposed to mean? He obviously has figured something out. Is he playing me?"

Could it be possible that York knew who I was and was trying to use me to bring my family down? That wasn't an impossibility, but then again, if York knew the truth, I doubt he'd be able to stomach looking at me. That thought alone made me feel queasy.

I looked around the container before sighing. "Be right back. Don't go anywhere." I closed it up and jogged back to the car. I popped the trunk, grabbing one of the bats I kept on hand. The wooden one would break too easily, and I felt like I was going to put a lot of power behind my swing. The heavy metal bat was the winner.

Twisting it around a few times, I tested a couple of swings before heading back. I found the shipping container a lot quicker the second time around.

"Oh good, still where I left you."

Ai's muffled words behind the gag fell on deaf ears.

"Don't worry, you and Harmony are going to have a chat while I get all my frustrations out. You see, I'm seeing this guy. Well, it's really more than that, he's my boss, but we have good chemistry. His dick was meant for sucking, and not to mention, he's uptight but funny. The way he laughs is infectious; he doesn't do it nearly enough." I sighed, picturing York. I shook my head. "But things have been fucked lately." I walked around him, resting the bat across my shoulders. "There’s something new every fucking day because of you and the Acetos. Work has been stressful. The FBI cracking down on my family only makes matters worse. He got shot but he saw something that he wasn't supposed to see." I groaned, swinging the bat in the air. "It's a long, complicated fucking story, but I’m sure he isn't talking to me. I have blue balls because I only want to fuck him right now and I'm getting pulled in two different directions. Anyway, this is why you get to talk to Harmony." I presented the metal bat to him making sure he got to see her in all her glory.

Ai rocked in his chair, making more noise than I needed him to. I informed Benito already about our dad making moves, not that he needed the extra bullshit on his plate. Heavy is the crown of the man in charge or some bullshit.

I took a step back and slowly swung Harmony, lining her up to his face, making sure I got the best aim. I did it three times to make sure it was perfect. He twisted his head left and right, fighting with the gag in his mouth.

"Wait," Ai said.

"I don't really feel like it. Didn't you hear my woes? Someone has to die, and tonight it's you. I can't get laid, might as well do the next best thing." I paused. “You don’t happen to know where Tasso is, do you?”

"You're the Vitale on the inside," he rushed out before he shook his head. “I wouldn’t tell you if I did.”

I stopped, Harmony already posted and ready to deliver damage.

"What do you mean?"

He smiled at me. "Your family swears they are doing something new and inventive. We've had people in the FBI and CIA for years." He laughed as if he'd made the funniest joke. "This is why my father is going to wipe your family out. Your idiot brother should have just handed the whore over."

Harmony cut through the air and slammed into Ai’s side. The chair rocked as the force of the blow crashed into him. His laugh turned into a groan of agony. He coughed a few times, trying to suck in a lungful of air.

"I don't like when people talk about my family." I lifted his chin with the end of Harmony. "Who knows I'm a Vitale?"

Blood stained his teeth, his tongue split on the side probably from his teeth slicing into it. "Everyone."

Fuck. I'd been worried about York finding out, but I hadn't thought twice about other gangs.