He nodded several times. “Just so you know, some of the business is slipping. They’re getting soft. One shipment was hijacked, my guess is by some of Saltori’s men. He’s concentrating on the drugs.”

  The most profitable. I whipped my head around, ready to exact revenge. The asshole wasn’t going to fuck with me. “What. Happened?”

  Grinder held up his hands. “I know what you’re thinking. It happened last night. One of the bastards involved was captured, but too much of a whiner. Didn’t say anything before he croaked.”

  Inhaling, I could almost smell the stench of death on the man. We didn’t need some punk gunned down because he wouldn’t spill his guts. “And the streets?”

  Shrugging, he looked uncomfortable. “Chatter. Bunch of shit.”

  I lifted my sunglasses, staring him directly in the eyes. “Meaning?”

  He continued to hesitate until he saw something in my eyes. That moment of ‘don’t fuck with me.’ “A lot of the boys don’t think you’re the right man for the job. That’s why they’re slacking off.”

  I bristled initially then chuckled darkly. I had to regain some level of respect. “To be expected. I’ll take care of that. Do you trust the man watching Francesca?”

  “Rocco will do a good job. One of our... your best men, boss.”

  I shook my head, planting my sunglasses back in position. “Then Rocco needs to make certain he does.” I could tell my comment made Grinder uncomfortable. He wasn’t used to my brusque demeanor.

  I’d shut off that part of me almost five years before, but as usual, my father was right. You couldn’t hide your true personality. I was and always would be a killer.

  “Absolutely, boss.”

  “Let’s go.” I had some other business to take care of, including figuring out who the person was in the picture Shane had presented. There was a partial license plate from another vehicle, also grainy in the photo but it should get me started in making an identification. I had the distinct feeling that the person holding the gun held volumes of information.

  I’d insisted on driving myself to the meeting, forcing Grinder and Tony to ride in the SUV, asserting my command and taking Grinder’s Charger. I needed to feel the power beneath me, the rumble of the Hemi engine keeping my mind on edge. The two phone calls had been disturbing, one more so than the other.

  The police had threatened Grinder with sudden incarceration given his ‘many’ infractions if he didn’t tell them where I was hiding. Their terms. Mine was lying in wait. He’d caved almost instantly, a fact I would deal with later. Fortunately, Shane had been able to step in. His assignment to my father’s case came with perks, including whatever information he received. My only hope was that the FBI would work closely with the local cops, allowing me to hear additional details.

  At least Francesca had kept her word, remaining in the shadows while Shane was present. Seeing the photograph was damaging, more so that I cared to admit.

  We had a new player, which meant that if Louis Saltori was involved, he’d hired an unknown assassin. I had to be cautious, more so than ever, which could mean pulling back on the hit. I was raw and angry, ready for a fight.

  The second phone call had been devastating. John Paul was dead. My initial reaction was an executed contract on his life, but the man had determined his own demise, walking out into the ocean just before sunset after slinking away from his soldiers. There was some sick irony in the concept, although my guess was that he knew he would either die a horrible death by the cancer or be dragged into hell by Saltori’s men. Either way, a shitty manner of death.

  I needed to share the news with my father, even if he remained in a drug-induced coma. He had a right to know and certainly not learn the devastating information about John Paul’s death from some shitty reporter or upstart police officer.

  I felt some sense of pride in the manner that John Paul had taken his own life, although I could barely accept what had occurred. He’d been one of the strongest people I knew. Sadly, there was no one around me left that I cared about.

  With the exception of Francesca.

  The realization was kicking my ass. I wasn’t supposed to like her, even care about her. This was supposed to be a business transaction. To even appreciate her company was ridiculous. I twisted my hand around the steering wheel, angry with my body’s reaction.

  My cock was hard once again.

  I rubbed my thumb across my lips, remembering the last kiss. For those few precious seconds, she’d succumbed to me in every manner.

  She was going to do it again.

  I tore through the streets, driving way over the speed limit, daring the cops to stop me. Maybe I was also ready to be taken out. What the hell did I have to live for? My thoughts continued to drift to her, the quiet, almost normal time we’d shared together. I’d opened up, talking freely, something I’d never done before.

  The why troubled me.

  I was usually a cautious man, a product of the family I’d been born into. My father had taught me that sharing intimate details about the family would be used against us. I had to agree with him. Too many people know about Francesca’s appearance in my life. I’d been far too cavalier in my actions. That might cost me.

  I had a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel, still attempting to accept the reality of what had occurred in the last few days. Everything was starting to blur together.

  I sped to the outskirts of town, going to a part of the city full of warehouses, some abandoned, some refurbished but certainly not populous. My father owned several of them, hiding behind various manufacturing and shipping companies in an effort to seem legitimate. I’d often believed the police and even the Feds had looked the other way on purpose, realizing that if they attempted to take down the organization, they would have blood on their hands.

  And covering the city streets.

  The fortified older buildings were perfect for clandestine meetings, far out of the earshot of prying neighbors, and soundproof enough to mask various ‘sounds’ of violence. I’d been with my father once during one of his infamous meetings, sneaking into the building against his rules. What I’d seen had given me nightmares for months.

  He’d caught me later, offering his violent level of discipline for ignoring his command. That was a moment I’d never forget.

  Oddly enough, I’d respected him for punishing me. How fucking ironic.

  Random thoughts and images of time spent with my father filtered into my mind. Was I reminiscing about the past? That would do nothing but drag me further into the darkness. Then again, maybe that’s what I needed. I hissed, pressing down on the accelerator. John Paul had been right. Harboring rage toward my father at this point in time did neither one of us any good. I still wasn’t ready to forgive him, but Francesca had figured out certain aspects about me and my relationship with the man who’d spawned me.

  I didn’t want him to die.

  I continued the drive, forcing the ugly thoughts out of my mind. Focus. That’s exactly what I needed to do.

  I was cautious in my travels, constantly checking the rearview mirror. I had the distinct feeling that the heat was going to become pronounced. I knew Shane well enough to realize that he’d remain tight-lipped, sharing his friendship with me to no one. However, with the Feds involved, all bets would be off. Even more reason to tread lightly.

  He could be caught in the crossfire.

  I pulled into the gravel parking lot of the warehouse, Grinder and Tony not far behind. Several vehicles were already parked in various spots, more than I would have thought. My father had expanded over the last few years. I stood just outside the Charger, allowing the warmth of the early afternoon sun to shower across my face.

  I wouldn’t know some of the soldiers inside, but that didn’t matter in the least. I was the new boss, at least for now.

  I waited until Grinder moved behind me before heading past the thick steel door. I could hear bantering, jovial discussions as if this was nothing more than a party. I allowed my feet to tread heavily on the cement floor as I approached, quieting at least a few conversations.

  I’d heard various jokes about my acting profession over the years, stories meant for humiliation. I hadn’t been bothered in the least. In my mind, the capos and soldiers had been little more than street thugs. Sadly, I was honestly here asking for their help, even though my words certainly wouldn’t be phrased that way. They needed a come-to-Jesus style conversation. I also knew that my appearance wasn’t going to be the cause of any celebration. I only removed my sunglasses after I came within four feet of the group of about forty men, ten being capos, the rest high-ranking soldiers. The other lower-ranking mutts were on the streets, hopefully continuing business as ordered. They damn well better be. I wasn’t going to allow any slack behavior.

  There was an immediate hush, wary looks on the majority of faces. They were all curious, some riddled with anxiety. After all, I was the pretty boy attempting to fill my father’s shoes. They obviously hadn’t been told about my earlier reputation.

  “Michael,” one of the capos said. “Good to see you.”

  “You will call him the boss,” Grinder corrected, snarling under his breath.

  “Did something happen to Ricardo?” another asked.

  A series of disgruntled sounds echoed in the space. I waved my hand, looking directly in the eyes of several of them. I didn’t mince any words, a shotgun start. “My father’s condition is stable at this point but while he remains incapacitated, I am the boss of this organization and I will take no crap or hearsay. Anyone who doesn’t toe the line will pay the price.”

  I hesitated briefly, keeping my expression devoid of any emotion. There were a few murmurs as the men attempted to get used to the fact I was in charge.

  “We have business to attend to and quota to fill and that’s going to happen. Period. There are no excuses that I will accept, no undermining of any operation. We will continue as if nothing happened. Any information you gather will come to either Grinder or myself immediately. Any delayed shipments or hijacking bullshit will come to my attention. Then I will handle the perpetrator. All the land transactions go through my office alone. If any of the developers try and pull out, make certain they understand the ramifications. Do I make myself clear?” I allowed the words to linger. I wasn’t certain if my announcement was met with dislike or not. They were smart enough to mask their expressions.

  “Yes, boss,” a few of them mumbled in succession.

  “What about the hit?” When Joey asked the question, I stared at him directly. He’d been around for years, had been through his share of shit, including doing a four-year stint in prison. He’d also remained completely loyal to my father. At one point, I’d even considered him a friend, running several of the more viable operations together. We’d both paid our dues.

  The question was valid. “We proceed with caution. I’ve received new information that while the Saltoris may be involved, there may be an unrecognized assassin in town.”

  “What. The. Fuck.” Joey tensed.

  The grumbling was palpable. I held up both hands. “I’ll handle this.”

  Grinder leaned over, whispering in my ear, “You need to tell them about John Paul.”

  “Not yet. Not until I find out more from his soldiers.”

  He took a step back, knowing better than to second guess me.

  “By the end of the week, any short sales will be made right. No exceptions. Traitors need to be flushed out. Anyone not loyal will no longer work with us. Do what needs to be done.” I shot various glares around the room for emphasis.

  “You got it, boss.”

  I gave an approving nod before heading for the door, almost surprised there was no kickback. Maybe my acting career had done me some good after all.

  * * *

  Call it intuition. Call it karma but I had a bad feeling that the situation was going to explode. Another morning with no basic news on the disappearance of Francesca, which told me that the Saltoris believed they had the upper hand somehow.

  They were dead wrong.

  I’d been advised by almost everyone to stay clear of the hospital, but I was determined to put various pieces of the puzzle together, flushing out the true enemy. First things first, ridding myself of guilt from all the previous years of not giving a shit.

  I drove through the parking lot twice, eyeing every car in the various locations before securing a spot and going inside. I moved straight to the stairwell, taking the stairs two at a time. The hallway seemed unusually quiet with little activity, raising red flags. The second I rounded the corner, able to see my father’s room, my hackles were completely off the charts.

  There was no Carlo, no soldier of any kind guarding my father. “What the fuck is going on?” I kept my hand on my weapon as I moved toward the room, bristling the second I noticed what appeared to be a doctor leaving with quick steps. No, this wasn’t right.

  “Hey, Doctor. Stop.”

  There was no response and certainly the doctor wasn’t interested in following my orders.

  “Stop right there!” My bellow had to attract a certain amount of attention. I skidded to the oversized glass window, peering inside. There was no doubt my father was having difficulty breathing. The assailant would have to wait. “I need help in here!” I kicked open the door, but not before taking one last look at the assassin.

  And the cunning smile that was offered. The same person as in the picture outside the nightclub. I’d bet my life on it.

  A split second before I bolted into the room, I noticed Carlo rounding the corner, a cup of something in his hand, an instant look of horror crossing his face. He dumped the container and rushed in my direction.

  Anger swelled inside, bursting through every seam as I rushed by my father’s side. Saliva dripped from both corners of his mouth, his body convulsing violently. The man was choking.

  “What the hell happened?” Carlo asked after racing into the room.

  “Get some help. Just fucking get some help!” I reacted, turning my father onto his side, praying to God the airways would clear.

  Carlo remained in a frozen state.

  “Get me some goddamn help!” I snapped, snarling as the rage continued to increase.

  “Yes, boss. Yes. Yes.” Before Carlo could react, a team of doctors and nurses came running into the room.

  “Sir. Sir! Please step out of the way.” The nurse pushed gently, trying to garner my attention.

  I shoved her aside, my mind reeling. “There was a doctor in here. What was done? Where the hell is your security?” I noticed the odd looks on several of the hospital staff’s faces.

  Fear.

  “Just let us do our work. Okay? Please wait outside.” The same nurse shifted her tone, smiling as she attempted to guide me closer to the door.

  I realized I was shaking, adrenaline pouring through every vein. “Fine. Let me know his condition immediately.”

  The nurse turned away, rushing back toward my father’s bed. While I knew little about medical conditions, the heart monitor was easy to read. His heart was barely beating. I threw open the door, taking long strides into the hallway. As soon as Carlo was within two feet, I slammed him against the wall, the force creating a solid thud. Suddenly, the entire hallway seemed to be filled with people, all gawking as I kept my arm pinned under his throat, cutting off his air supply.

  “You stupid fuck! You were required to stay by my father’s side!” I’d never been this angry.

  Carlo held up his arms, his eyes darting back and forth as he coughed and wheezed.

  “I should kill you right here for what you did,” I hissed through clenched teeth.

  “Sor-ry,” Carlo managed.

  I pushed harder, trying to control my breathing as well as my anger, even enjoying the way his face turned colors. After a few seconds, some rational side of me kicked in. What the hell was I doing? I let go, immediately taking a long stride backward. I took gulping breaths as I raked my hands through my hair.

  Carlo doubled over for a few seconds, coughing, his shoulders heaving.

  Once again, I moved closer, keeping my voice low. “There was a doctor inside, although I doubt that this asshole had anything to do with the hospital. Trying to finish the job.”

  Carlo righted himself, his eyes watering as he rubbed his neck. “The doc... told me... suggested that I...” Another coughing fit.

  I slammed my hand on the wall, doing everything I could to release the fury. As a security guard rounded the corner, heading straight for us, I shot him a look that stopped him cold. “A friendly discussion. I suggest you step away.”

  The security guard kept his stare on me for a full ten seconds as he addressed Carlo. “That right, son?”

  “Yeah.” Carlo sniffed and rubbed his mouth, offering the guard a slight smile.

  “There was a person impersonating a doctor in my father’s room. I suggest you find out exactly who this person was.” I could tell that within five seconds the guard made the connection about my identity and exactly what I was capable of.

  “I’ll do my best, sir.” Turning on his heel, he jogged away, but not without sharing a look of terror in his eyes.

  “A doctor?” Carlo asked in a raspy tone.

  “That’s what I said. This doctor told you to take a break?”

  “Yes, boss. I was gone maybe five minutes. Just grabbed a cup of coffee. I swear to God.”

  I closed my eyes briefly, counting to five before grabbing my phone. “You fucked up, Carlo. That’s never going to happen again.”

  “No, sir.”

  I took another series of deep breaths, finally able to curtail my rage.

  “What do you want me to do, boss?” The hitch in Carlo’s voice was thick.

  I dialed Grinder’s number before answering his question. “You’re going to do your damn job but Carlo, I will deal with you later.”

  Carlo nodded, his face pasty white, and walked back to the hospital room window, retaking his position.