Page 4 of Twisted Throne
“Exactly,” Angelo said. “He’s been buzzing around us like a fly ever since his father died. He hasn’t done much of anything else so far, only snapping up scraps from our table. But he’s building up to something. It is time for us to take action.”
A brief knock sounded at the office door, and Alec entered the room. His eyes narrowed as he took in the tension in the room. I didn’t bother acknowledging him. I worked with him because I had to, but I have very little patience with entitled dicks like him.
“Have I missed something?” he asked.
“Not at all,nipote.We were just discussing the growing problem of Antonio Jr,” Angelo replied.
“I heard what happened last night at the warehouse. He couldn’t have thought that would actually work. Frank told me Johnny basically walked right into him. He’s taunting us and we need a goddamn show of force!” Alec said, slamming his hand down on the desk.
“That’s what we were discussing before you barged in and interrupted us,” Angelo said sharply.
“And running off half-cocked won’t get us anywhere,” I stated calmly.
Alec should watch his tongue. Angelo was tolerant of him to a point, but it seemed that Alec had been pushing it lately.
“Angelo, I apologize for the outburst. It just makes me sick thinking about that ass Sabitino thinking that he can get the upper hand on us. He’s making us look weak.” Alec said, flushing.
“And they will find out soon enough that we aren’t,” Angelo replied calmly. “I also received word this morning that one of our long haul trucks didn’t arrive on time to pick up its load. A few of the boys went out and found it abandoned a few miles out of town. They tracked down the driver to Sisters of Mercy Hospital. He’d been badly beaten, then dumped in the parking lot. The only one of the men he had a clear description of sounds a lot like the Sabitinos’ new guy.”
“He’s definitely trying to send us a message,” Carlos mused. “So what are we going to send him in return?”
I stayed mostly quiet as the discussion turned to our options for a strike against Sabitino, tossing in the occasional suggestion to keep things going. Mostly, I just observed Alec. He has always had a temper. That was one of the reasons that Angelo remained hesitant to have him as his right hand. But I wondered if his outburst over this entire mess was just his typical hot blood boiling up, or if he was overcompensating.
So the question remained, was he just an asshole, or was he a traitor to the family—to his blood—as well as an asshole? Where I had earned my position though working my ass off, clawing my way up from the street, Alec had had everything in his life handed to him on a silver platter.
The phone intercom buzzed, interrupting us.
Angelo frowned. He hated to be interrupted.
“Yes, Lisa? I’m in the middle of a meeting,” he barked at the speaker.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. LaRosa, but there… there’s a woman here to see you and…” replied the nervous secretary. I looked curiously toward the mesh of the intercom. Lisa was experienced and professional to boot. What the hell could be important enough for her to interrupt a meeting?
“I don’t take visitors without appointments, you know that. Send her away,” he snapped.
“But she says… um…” Lisa’s voice trailed off.
“Lisa. Precisely what is this woman saying that is worth interrupting my private discussion?”
“Um, I’m sorry but she says she’s your daughter. Sir.”
A silence fell over the room at the words coming through the tinny speaker.
Angelo paused. “Keep her there. Someone will be right down.” He clicked off the intercom.
No one said anything, then Alec stood up.
“What the fuck? This has to be a setup from Sabitino!”
Angelo ignored his nephew and nodded to me. “Paul, go get the young lady and escort her to my office, please.”
Alec opened his mouth to protest again, then thought better of it and turned away to stare out the window, jaw twitching.
I stood and left the office, heading toward reception.
I didn’t disagree with Alec that this could very possibly be a new part of the game the Sabatinos were trying to play. But Angelo LaRosa hadn’t worked his way up to the head of the LaRosa family by being an idiot. If this girl was working for Antonio, we could use her to get more information on the leak. If she wasn’t, then that would end up being an entirely different kind of mess altogether.
I spotted her as soon as I rounded the corner to the lobby. She was sitting in one of the leather armchairs scattered around, trying valiantly to look composed, but the way she kept fiddling around with her dark, shoulder-length hair betrayed her nerves. She hadn’t noticed me standing there yet. I’d guess she was in her early twenties or so. She looked neat and well put together, but her clothes were cheap and her shoes looked worn. When she finally noticed me she stood and took a step toward me, then hesitated uncertainly. As I approached I was taken aback by how green her eyes were. They practically glowed in contrast with her almost black curls and pale skin. They gave her an almost feral look, and I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to calm her down or rile her up. She was striking, and although she was jumpy as a cat, she looked like she had some fire in her.