Page 39 of End It All

“Fuck you, Quincy.”

I smiled. I couldn't help myself. “We will talk about it when I get back.” I shut the door to him cursing me out some more. Even after I threatened him, he seemed to come right back, ready to go to war.

My phone vibrated again as I slipped into the back of a taxi, the worn leather seat creaking beneath me. My car would have been better, but it wasn’t an option. The less Daiki knew about me, the better. Even letting him know what car I drove made me susceptible to his wrath. I played it smart and took a taxi to a random location not too far from my place, but not close either. There I’d get picked up by one of the mindless goons Daiki kept at his beck and call.

Fuck, does this make me one of them now? Harlow would laugh his ass off if he knew.

Harlow: Lay low. Cesare is making it his personal mission to make life a living hell.

Quincy: Yeah? He mad about his son slipping through his fingers?

Harlow: Guessing you convinced him to go back with you?

More like Cesare drove the youngest Vitale back into my hands.

Quincy: I’m a professional.

Harlow: Thanks. Not sure what Cesare is doing with him but I’m sure tomorrow night’s dinner won’t be fun. Bring Blake.

Quincy: Babysitter, chauffeur, what else can I add to my resume?

Harlow: Certified dickwad?

Quincy: Haha. I gotta go.

“Here is good.” I pulled out some cash and passed over for the fare. Getting out, I walked down two blocks to my destination. A black sedan was waiting for me when I arrived.

If I hadn’t played with Blake, I could have gotten there early and watched them. Maybe I would have been able to listen in and see what was planned for me. One of Daiki’s men got out of the front seat and came around to open the rear passenger door.

There was no point in delaying the inevitable. I got in. Unlike the cab, there was no smell, and the leather was plush to the touch. Daiki’s man slammed the door shut as I got comfortable.

The driver met my eyes, and I smiled like the loon I was known to be. The great thing about being seen as a lunatic in the yakuza meant most didn’t fuck with you and they highly underestimated me on a daily basis.

“Mind if I smoke?” I asked, pulling out a joint, and lighting up, regardless of his answer. The smoke curled around the back of my throat and eased its way into my lungs. I slowly released the pillow of smoke before inhaling it back in. The ease that slowly crept through my limbs was welcomed.

"You two know what I should expect?" I asked.

They didn't bother to look my way, no doubt writing me off as a dead man. As we rode through the city, I stared out the window until we reached our destination. The hotel we pulled in front of was high class. I whistled, staring up at the lights.

"Ever think about swinging on one of those big ass things?" I pointed up at the chandelier as they escorted me inside.

"???,"what an idiotmy escort said.

I laughed as we headed for the elevators. He pulled out a black card and swiped it over the reader before putting in a code.Thank fuck for weed.Most people probably would be shitting themselves right now, but I was too busy trying not to laugh.

"I hope he orders pizza, I'm fucking starving," I muttered under my breath.

Both of Daiki's men looked my way before turning and facing forward like the good little foot soldiers they were. When the elevator dinged, and the doors slid open, we walked down a long corridor before we made it to a set of white, double doors. There was another set on the opposite end of the hallway. For a split second, I wondered how much a room for the night would cost, but I shoved the delusional thought away. There was no way in hell I would ever be able to afford it.

The door opened and another pair of men stepped out. One guy was just as tall as me, his head shaved bald with tattoos etched on the sides. He stared me down as if I was a vile piece of shit, but I was used to that. I'd been in the lifestyle a lot longer than most. I held my arms out as if to let him search me andsmiled. As he moved close enough, I jammed my elbow into his nose. The crunch of cartilage was hilarious.

"Fix your ugly mug." I laughed.

The other one came at me but stopped short as the bleeding baldy stopped him. "??????????No, it's the boss's orders.

I smiled at that. He patted me down pulling out the two guns, brass knuckles, three knives, and grenade I had tucked away. He held it up, staring at me as if I'd lost my mind.

"Never know when you'll need one. I've had to use it a few times, gets rid of a lot of evidence."