Chapter Four
“Fuck.” Sergio dropped his knife on the small table that contained his favorite tools. Piero cackled like a hyena, which only sharpened his temper. Sergio snatched the knife again and neared his victim.
“I should’ve known. You have a thing for that curvy waitress, don’t you? The great Sergio Castello—”
Sergio didn’t let Piero finish. He slashed at Piero’s throat and watched him bleed out like the pig he was.Baldoran back inside the room, out of breath. Jessie wasn’t with him. Sergio considered that a good sign.
“The bitch’s gone. How the hell do you even know her? She your woman?”Baldodemanded.
In terms of the organization hierarchy, Sergio outrankedBaldo. He could tellBaldoto shut his trap or do it for him, but Sergio didn’t.Baldowas no one. Just a thug who worked for Aldo, but it also meantBaldowould relay everything he’d witnessed today back to his boss. That wouldn’t bode well for Sergio, especially if he wanted to keep Jessie alive.
She was his prize. No oneelse’s. Only Sergio had the privilege of killing her, which he had no intention of doing. Damn it all. Why would she come in today? Sergio was pretty sure Tony informed every member of the staff to stay out of the restaurant this morning. Knowing Jessie, she probably stumbled into this completely by accident. She always looked a little ditzy and spaced out during the mornings. His Jessie wasn’t a morning person.
His Jessie. Yeah right, but at the rate the situation was escalating, her choices would be limited. It was either be his or die.
“I don’t have to explain myself to you,” he finally toldBaldo. “I need to inform Victor about this little situation.”
Someone would tattle to the boss sooner or later. Better Sergiodeliverthe news himself rather than anyone else.Baldorelaxed a little at that.
“Get someone to clean this mess up. We better send Fabio the video but edit out the part where the woman walked in,” he said in a dismissive tone. Simple thugs likeBaldoneeded routine and order. The illusion things were running smoothly because there was someone on top who knew how to navigate messes.
The truth was that Sergio sure as hell didn’t know what the hell he was doing. His call went to voicemail, no surprise there. At this time of the day, Victor was probably having breakfast with his family. Victor prioritized family time. Sergio pretended to go about the rest of his day like he usually did, except beneath his usually indifferent mask, he was restless.
The restaurant’s staff started coming in by the timeBaldoand a couple of the guys cleaned up the room where he’d done a number on Piero. Sergio visited the Family’s other legitimate businesses. All of them were, of course, fronts they could easily launder their dirty money into. Sergio hadn’t exactly been idle.
He already contacted Mr. Gibson, Jessie’s landlord. Mr. Gibson conveniently lived in the unit right across Jessie’s and Sergio had long ago convinced Mr. Gibson to spy on Jessie’s movements for him. Mr. Gibson was Sergio’s ace in the hole in case things went south. According to Gibson’s last text, Jessie had gone home and hadn’t left her apartment since. She did call her favorite pizza place for lunch.
Sergio wondered what the hell went on in her mind. Another woman in her shoes would’ve packed up her things and run. Either way, she’d never get far. The Family had plenty of resources, including dirty coppers on their payroll. InOakheartCity, connections were critical to one’s success in the criminal underworld.
By late afternoon, he finally received the call he’d been waiting for the entire day.
“Sergio, the boss needs you to come to his private office at Mama Rossi’s,” said a lackey from the other end.
“Tell him I’ll be there in thirty or forty minutes. I’m at the Lusty Maiden. Traffic will be bitch at this time of the day.” Sergio phoned Mr. Gibson next. “Has she left her apartment?”
“She’s still in there as far I know. I listened outside her front door just a few minutes ago. The TV’s on.”
“Good. Don’t leave your place. I need her watched the entire time. You’ll be paid handsomely for your service.” Money usually motivated most people and reminding Gibson about their arrangement ensured Sergio the shifty landlord would keep his word.
“Fine.”
Sergio ended the call. He found a free parking slot on the street opposite the restaurant thirty-five minutes later. Sergio got out and headed right inside Victor’s office. The staff were busy preparing for the incoming dinner crowd, but the restaurant was mostly empty. Some of the guys he knew played poker in one corner. They gave him nods of acknowledgment. No one ribbed him about his mistake earlier this morning. For now, Sergio assumed Victor wanted to keep the incident this morning quiet. After all, a witness meant nothing to Victor. To him, Jessie wasn’t even a person, just a potential threat that needed to be eliminated.
He knocked on the door.
“Come in,” came Victor’s voice. He sounded tired.
Sergio entered and shut the door behind him. Aldo stood against the wall facing the desk, smirking at him. Sergio wasn’t too surprised to find him there.
“I understand we had had a tiny mishap earlier this morning,” Victor began.
“I’ll deal with it. You don’t need to concern yourself with such small matters,” he said.
“I am a little concerned,” Victor said, leaning over his desk. “Aldo here tells me this girl means something to you.”
Sergio snorted. Time to put his skills to good use, and he was an accomplished liar. He wasn’t bragging. It was merely a fact. “She was a potential plaything, but you know me, Victor. The Family always comes first. There will always be other women.”
Victor smiled and turned to his brother. “See? I told you there was nothing to worry about.” Victor looked at him. The mob boss looked more relaxed. “I never doubted your loyalty, not even once.”