Luca: The Boston Syndicate, Book Two, page 6
“I’m not drinking tonight, Tyler. I already told you.”
When Giada sees me, her eyes grow wide at what I’m sure is an absolutely murderous expression on my face.
“You drink it,” I say to Tyler as I come to stand next to Giada.
He looks at me then back to a confused girl at my side.
The little shit gives me a withering look as though I’m the hired help and shouldn’t deign myself important enough for him to respond to.
“It’s for Giada, not me. Here, babe.”
“Why do you want me to drink it so bad, Tyler?” she asks the boy, suspiciously looking from him to the cup.
I feel her eyes on me as I stare at the side of Tyler’s face. She’s a smart girl. She knows something isn’t right. This isn’t the first time tonight someone has offered her a drink, but it is the first time I’ve intervened.
“Forget it,” Tyler says. “Bianca, you want a beer?” He holds the cup to Giada’s best friend, who stands silently watching the scene.
“How old is Tyler?” I ask Giada.
“Just turned eighteen.”
As soon as the words are out of her mouth, I knock the cup from his hand and send it flying into the grass several feet from us. Before Tyler has a chance to react, my fist flies into his stomach and he doubles over.
I don’t know if his being underage would have stopped me from teaching this kid a lesson, but it seems reasonable that I could potentially find myself in less trouble if he’s an adult.
With him hunched over in pain, I take the opportunity to smash my fist into his jaw, which sends him flying back and landing with a thud on the ground. I don’t waste a second and grab him by the front of his shirt as I rain blow after blow to his face. Screams and cheers barely register as blood flies from the punk’s face with every punch I land.
When I stop, Tyler’s face is a mess of blood, snot and tears, but he’s still conscious. Barely.
“Listen to me, you little fucker. If you ever try that shit on another girl, I’ll find you and finish the job. And believe me, I will find out. You’ve just landed on my radar, Tyler. Lucky you.”
“My father will have your job for this,” he groans out.
Kid’s got balls; I’ll give him that. Too bad he’s so fucking stupid.
I pull him closer to my face, and with deadly calm, I tell him, “You just tried to drug Francesco Cataldi’s daughter. Do you honestly think your father can do anything about it? If he finds out, not only will you never be heard from again, but neither will your parents. You want to risk that?”
The last thing I need is Francesco or Carlo finding out I was here with Giada. She said she’d take the blame, but I’d rather not have to deal with figuring out how to smooth anything over, especially if they find out this wasn’t the first time she’s snuck out.
“I’m willing to show you mercy and let you live. Francesco Cataldi will not.”
All bravado drains from his eyes with that last statement. I’d like to think the idea of losing his parents would be a factor, but I have a feeling he’s the type of asshole who doesn’t give a shit about anyone but himself. Hell, he could very well be hoping his parents are out of the picture soon so he can inherit everything. Nothing surprises me about these fucking rich kids anymore. But when I told him Francesco would make sure he dies a bloody and painful death, well, that changed things for him.
“I won’t do it again, I swear,” he coughs out.
I slap his face a few times and smile like a psychopath. “I knew you’d make the right decision. Take care, Tyler.”
When I release my grip on his shirt, everyone is staring between me and the boy on the ground, groaning in pain.
I find Giada’s eyes, and what I see there startles me. It’s not hate, far from it. It’s the same way she used to look at me before her brother read me her diary, and I laughed in her face with him. Shit. I sure as hell don’t need this kind of complication inside the family.
“Let’s go.” I turn, expecting her and Bianca to follow, which, thankfully, they do. When we make it back to the car, Bianca silently gets in the back, and I drive us to the edge of the property, where she’d picked us up.
Turning to face Bianca, I pin her with a stare. “No more fucking parties in the middle of the woods. You two are prime targets for assholes like that one back there, and I won’t be there to protect you next time.”
Bianca’s smile makes me uneasy. She’s looking at me like I’m some knight in shining fucking armor. Jesus Christ, if watching someone beat a person to bloody hell does it for her, she’s in serious trouble. Neither of these girls should find anyone in this violent life appealing. Least of all, someone like me.
Giada opens the door, and I get out as well, allowing Bianca to get in the front so she can get the hell home.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Bianca calls before taking off.
Giada stands on the side of the road with the same look in her eyes as she had when we left.
“Let’s go,” I say, stomping past her to the fence line.
“Thank you,” she says, having to walk a little faster to keep up with my long strides.
“I didn’t do anything someone with a shred of decency wouldn’t have done.”
“That’s not true. Those guys were more than willing to watch him drug me.”
I stop abruptly and she nearly collides with my chest when I whirl around. “Like I said, anyone with a shred of decency. Those assholes don’t have any. They’re spoiled rich fuckers who are used to getting their way and not having to answer to anyone. Case in point—they tried to drug the daughter of a very dangerous criminal and thought they’d get away with it. Stay away from them, Giada.”
She nods her head jerkily, like one of those toys you stick on your car’s dashboard. “I will. I swear. I honestly didn’t think that would happen. I mean, I’ve never heard of it happening.”
“You really think just because you haven’t heard about it, that means it’s never happened? Wake up, Giada. This kind of shit happens all the time in this world. You need to watch your back. I’m not going to be there to always do it for you. If I wasn’t there tonight, he would have drugged you and done God knows what to you. I’m sure he’s done it before, but probably threatened the girl somehow so she wouldn’t talk. That’s the kind of world we live in, and you need to be a hell of a lot more careful if you’re going to survive in it.”
I’m so damn frustrated. At her. At that asshole. At myself. The fact that young girls even have to worry about shit like this pisses me the hell off.
“I’m sorry, Luca. I’ll be more careful.”
“No more parties,” I tell her through gritted teeth.
She nods once. “None.” Her eyes soften and lose the remorse she had, to be replaced with a glint of something sweet. And fucking dangerous. “I’ve never seen you so mad,” she says with a breathless whisper.
For fuck’s sake.
This is what happens when a girl is starved for attention from the men in her life. I’m certainly not the one she needs to be doing any sort of pining over. I did what I did because that’s what my dad taught me. You protect women. When you see shit that isn’t okay, you handle it. If it means with your fists, then so be it.
It’s a habit I shouldn’t have, considering I’m supposed to be blending in with the pricks around me. None of these guys give two fucks about a woman in trouble. Hell, they’d be more likely to take a turn and record it than do anything to stop it. And Giada needs to think I’m the same as these assholes.
“Let’s get something straight, little girl.” I emphasize the last part to hurt her, and judging by the look on her face, it works. “The only reason I beat that kid to hell was because I work for your father. If anyone thinks they can mess with this family, then we’re all fucked.”
“Oh, please. If it had been another girl, you would have done the same thing.” Her hand rests on her hip as she challenges me. “You aren’t like my brother and the rest of the goons around here, Luca.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, princess. I’m exactly like them. If it had been anyone else, I would have let those boys have their fun. But seeing as it was my boss’s daughter, I put a stop to it.”
I fucking despise the words coming from my mouth as well as the look on her face.
She holds my stare for a solid minute before shaking her head and letting out a huff of humorless laughter. “You all make me sick.”
“Good.”
Let her be disgusted with what I just said. It’s safer for me if she doesn’t harbor any notions that I’m a good guy. Those thoughts won’t do anything but bring suspicion to my doorstep if she walks around with hearts in her eyes and someone notices. The last thing I need is anyone thinking I’m indulging her crush in any way, shape, or form.
“Get back to your room. I’ve had enough of your shit tonight.” My voice is cold, and though it isn’t a particularly chilly night, Giada shivers at my tone.
She spins on her heels, and I watch her walk back to the property. Fuck, I was just supposed to be doing one more round before I went home to my shitty apartment for the night. I wasn’t supposed to get tangled up in this bullshit.
The next day, I’m up bright and early and back at the house when I’m called into Francesco’s office. I haven’t seen Giada this morning, but since the guards weren’t gossiping about finding her outside of her room, I assume she made it back in without being detected. It’s not like she hasn’t had practice. I don’t for one second believe the first time I caught her was the first time she’s snuck out.
“Luca,” Francesco greets when I step inside his office.
“Sir.” I bow my head to show respect to this asshole even though that’s the last thing I feel for the man. In every interaction, every smile I’ve given the man, I’ve had images of me putting a bullet between his eyes playing on a loop. He thinks it’s respect behind my eyes when, in reality, it’s murderous thoughts of the day I get to have him on his knees with my gun pressed to his forehead.
His office is pretty standard of what you would expect to find in any mafia boss’s office. Dark leather furniture and dark-red carpet coupled with wood-paneled walls make the space seem like the den of a supervillain. I’m sure Francesco wants people to think he’s some sort of criminal kingpin, which at the moment he is, but every villain has a weakness. I just need to find his so I can get the hell out of the expensive hellhole I find myself in every day.
One of his capos, Alberto, rises from the leather club chair in front of Francesco’s oversized mahogany desk. The man has obviously been living the good life if his portly belly and cigar-stained fingers are anything to go by.
Alberto holds out his hand, and I take his meaty palm in a firm shake. “Hi, Luca. Come sit.”
I have a seat next to him as Francesco’s beady eyes scrutinize me. “You’ve always been a good guard, Luca. Loyal.”
Fuck, maybe Giada got caught and that’s why I didn’t overhear the guards talking about it. Maybe they didn’t want to give me a heads-up that shit was about to go down.
“I appreciate that, sir.”
“I hate to lose you,” Francesco continues.
Double fuck.
“But I like to reward loyalty. Never let it be said I’m not a fair man. Right, Alberto?”
“Absolutely, boss,” the man next to me replies.
Francesco leans back in his seat. “Alberto needs a couple guys on his crew. Wanted to know if there was anyone within the organization who deserves a leg up. Someone loyal who keeps their mouth shut and does as told but isn’t afraid to get dirty when the situation calls for it. I remember how you came into my employment, Luca. You saved my son’s life even when it could have cost you your own. You know what Alberto and his crew do?”
I look at Alberto and nod. “He runs the whores.”
Francesco and Alberto dip their chin in confirmation..
“Among other things,” Alberto says. “How would you like to come work for me? It pays better than being a guard, that’s for sure. And the perks aren’t half bad, either.” The dark chuckle that comes from both men raises the hairs on the back of my neck.
“Gotta start them somewhere,” Francesco says before turning to me. “I’m giving you a promotion, Luca.”
My lips tip up in a grateful smile, but it’s not for the reasons they think. Maybe now I’ll finally be able to get some useful information about the organization so I can pass it to Finn and take these bastards down.
“Thank you, sir,” I say with restrained excitement, completely for their benefit. “I won’t let you down.”
“You’d better not,” Francesco says, nailing me with his hard gaze. His mouth splits into a smile, taking the sting out of the not-so-subtle death threat.
“See, Alberto. Reward your men. That’s how you keep them loyal.” He turns to me again. “The second Carlo brought you to me, I knew you were more than just a guard. But I had to make you prove yourself. Make sure you were going to stick around.” A.k.a., didn’t fuck up and get a bullet to the head. I didn’t end up six feet under, so I guess in this life, that’s proof enough that you’re ready for bigger things. “Alright, Get out of here. I’m sure Alberto is ready to show you the ropes. You have a lot to learn.”
I stand and shake Francesco’s hand. “Thank you for the opportunity, boss.”
“Do me proud, son.”
There’s no doubt I’ll be doing someone proud with this new position, but it sure as hell won’t be him.
“Of course, sir.”
“Go on and grab some breakfast. I need to go over a few things with Alberto.”
I nod at the two men and leave the room, shutting the door firmly behind me. When I look up, Giada is leaning against the wall a few feet from the door.
“Listening in?” I ask.
She shrugs noncommittally. “So you’re out of here.”
“Yup,” I say, heading toward the kitchen.
Of course the little princess has to follow.
“Well, congratulations. You get to run a prostitution ring with Alberto,” she says snidely.
I look at her with surprise, and she rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. It’s not like I don’t have eyes and ears.”
“You need to keep what you hear to yourself, Giada. If the wrong person hears you talking…”
She rolls her amber eyes once more. What the fuck is with eye rolls and teenage girls?
“I sincerely hope your parents are proud of you, Luca. I’m sure being a glorified pimp was your mother’s dream for you. See ya around.” Giada spins and walks away from me.
I stare after her for a brief moment.
I wouldn’t know what my mother’s dream would be for me. Your father had her killed.
And I have every intention of making him pay.
Chapter six
Luca
Four Years Later
Ifucking hate these warehouse meetings. They’re fucking dangerous and too many variables mean I could end up dead. Every time I have to drive Alberto out to the middle of nowhere to meet some shady asshole, the thought crosses my mind that the reason he’s taking me along is because they found out what I’d been up to. I’ve covered my tracks so well the last four years I’ve been on his crew. There were times I almost had myself convinced I belonged with these pricks. That’s what living a double life does to you. Makes you start believing what you’re trying to convince other people of. It eats at your humanity, bite by sickening bite.
This meeting, in particular, is the side of Alberto’s business that, until recently, I wasn’t to take part in. We’re meeting someone to buy a girl. It’s the second time he’s included me in a purchase. The first time was only a few months ago. I felt so disgusted with myself I went home and threw up then proceeded to drink myself into oblivion. I called Finn and told him what happened. He was glad Alberto had finally deemed me worthy to take part in that side of his business.
I’d been collecting from the girls he had on the streets and shaking down the pimps that were on Alberto’s payroll the last four years or so since I was moved to his crew. No one cares about prostitution, and that certainly isn’t going to bring down a criminal empire. But this skin trade shit? Yeah, that made a shit ton of money for the Cataldis, and Finn has decided that’s how we’re going to take them out. It’s risky as hell selling women. Seems a substantial amount of their take comes from it now. Topple that, we cripple the entire organization. I just hope to hell I get enough information before I have to sit through any more of these meetings.
I texted Finn the location we were at. Not because we’re ready for a full takedown but because the girl they’re bringing in is connected to the Black Roses, an MC my cousin does a lot of business with. Word is this girl, Charlie, has some information that could help the Cataldis take out my family. Her “handler,” as Alberto calls him, is some piece of shit that did some work for Finn in the past, but this asshole decided getting high on the shit he was supposed to be unloading was far more important.
The only reason he isn’t six feet under is because he’s Cillian’s cousin. In a rare show of loyalty to anyone other than Finn, Cillian asked for Jace’s life to be spared when it was obvious that Jace was coming up short on money and product. I don’t think it had so much to do with saving his cousin rather than saving his mom the heartache. His aunt died years ago, and the kid was raised with his dad, who apparently was a complete asshole. Cillian’s mom tried to take Jace, but his father refused. She always felt guilty about the distance she allowed to be put between them, especially seeing who he’d become. I guess she held out hope that Jace would turn his life around. Hate to be the one to break it to her that it’s most likely going to be a very short one. Jace was keeping tabs on drop locations and safe house sites that he had in a handy-dandy little notebook his ex-girlfriend stole from him. She ran with it after one of the enforcers for the Black Roses MC beat the shit out of him for abusing her. The girl got away, and Jace ended up in the hospital with a grudge the size of Texas.
