Page 14 of Lord of Ruin
“Right. The same ones you used while playing the game.” For the love of God, some gene pools shouldn’t be allowed on this planet. “Who was this person?”
“He gave me his card. Do you want it?’
“Why, certainly.” Why did I have a feeling as dumb as Whitie might seem that he was really playing me?
Christos moved toward him, hunkering down and grabbing the card after Whitie struggled to get it out of his pocket. When he handed it to me, I knew there was a game being played instantly.
Justin P. Trudeau, politician.
And if I had to guess, I’d say the phone number was meant to be from Canada, the email bogus. Using the Canadian Prime Minister’s name was a clear indication the guy was attempting to rile us. But why the hell the subterfuge?
Christos was unable to hold back laughter. I was obvious neither Whitie nor Frankie had realized they were being made into fools or pawns. Yep. It was official. I was barely over forty years old but I was getting too old for this shit. Why was there no such thing as courage in this world any longer? If you had a beef, just come out and address the other person or entity. If you didn’t like something, be a man or woman and be up front.
And if you wanted to play a game, why not Russian roulette instead?
“Well, I do appreciate the information, Whitie.”
“You killed my brother.” It suddenly dawned on him what I’d said? The bulb was definitely turned off in his brain. Sadly, I couldn’t allow him to live, no matter how gullible he’d been.
“Say hello to your brother for me. In hell.”
Pop! Pop!
CHAPTER 5
Stavros
When my brother came off a fresh kill, he was ravenous. Before getting hitched to Whitney, his feast had contained a three-course dinner followed by a raucous round of sex with some woman who had taken his fancy.
Now that he’d met and married a beautiful brat as he loved to call her, he rarely risked his life or health by making a single hit. That had turned the bulk of the unseemly part of our operation to me and my men. Although my younger brother was a damn good marksman as well, even if he preferred being the Consigliere while handling the books.
For me? I’d wanted to sidle up to my favorite pizza joint, ordering an extra-large then indulging on the entire pie while nursing on a bottle of booze, the night of debauchery including watching a 76ers’ basketball game on satellite television.
I’d settled for the booze and quietly searching the internet. I’d also sent a photographed copy of the card to Phoenix after arriving back at my hotel.
The call I’d made to Gabriel Giordano had been met with a deep grumble, but his soldiers had handled the cleanup for me, including calming both the guests and staff at the café. Now I stood at the bank of windows with a desire for something other than hotel coffee, noticing a cute little shop across the street on the corner.
“I do appreciate you getting your men to help,” I told Gabriel. I’d only seen the Brotherhood member in person a few times, but he took being professional to another level altogether. I knew I owed him the same or my brother would be the one kicking my butt.
Gabriel chuckled. “Let me give you a word of advice. Go back to Philly.”
“Are you saying that rhetorically or because you’ve heard something?”
“Maybe both. Whatever went down, the streets are crawling with gossip about the Diamondis clan and a possible link to organized crime out of Ireland. It’s odd and unnerving and I’ve heard it all.”
Ireland?
That wasn’t our territory and from what I knew, my uncle hadn’t ventured out of Greece in a long time.
The asshole who in my mind had orchestrated the events in Philly and New York was still playing a game, which could mean he’d planned on the fact I’d kill the two marks, finding nothing but frustration in my talks with them. “You’ve never heard of the person or people involved? Any idea who they are?”
“No, but I’ve chatted with Phoenix and the other members of the Brotherhood. They are suspicious but it’s too early to be certain. My men and the entire Brotherhood will keep watch to ensure this is an isolated situation, which I regret for you and your regime.” He laughed. “I’ve been enjoying quieter times over the past few months. I’d be a pissed New Yorker if that’s about to end.”
Every damn member of the Brotherhood was hooked up with a lady. It had to be some criteria or something.
“I get it. I’m leaving this morning. One other small act of business I need to attend to then I’m gone.”
“I’ll let you know if I hear anything but don’t expect it.”