My stomach churns. This fucker. Milo and I play for the same side, but this weasel has a history of resorting to sabotage. I haven’t forgotten the look on Arin’s face all those years ago when she walked off that plane in tears. I never found out what Milo said to her, but it was obviously horrendous enough to send her running. I refuse to let him anywhere near her again.
“Enough!” Lorenzo shouts. “I won’t argue that these attacks aren’t targeted. I think it’s pretty obvious who Renato is after, Costello.”
I grind my teeth. “Why would Renato be after me? I’ve never slighted the man.”
“He knows what an asset you are to me,” my capo says, sighing heavily as he takes a seat in his office chair. “You run my territory efficiently, and you’re my most loyal man. Renato knows that if he takes you out of the picture, I’d be left exposed.”
Beside me, Milo mutters something inaudible under his breath. He’s never been shy about how much he loathes Lorenzo’s preferential treatment.
“We need to put Renato in his place,” Lorenzo continues. “How are your plans to destroy his warehouse coming along?”
I release a slow, controlled breath. “I’m… working on it, sir.”
Lorenzo nods. “Get it done. Use Milo’s contacts. We need to make an example out of that bastard. Nobody fucks with me and gets away with it. Now, get the fuck out of my office.”
I leave as commanded, silently fuming as I stride down the narrow hall. It’s never been more obvious. My presence is the common denominator in all the attacks, but I don’t think Lorenzo’s hypothesis is right. It’s true that I pretty much run his entire racket, but it wouldn’t make sense for another capo to come after me. I’ve only met Renato in person once, and only for a few minutes. If he really wants to hurt Lorenzo, it’d be easier to go after his businesses, not his number two.
No, this feels much more personal.
“Wait!” Milo shouts after me.
I keep walking.
He jogs to catch up to me, throwing a casual arm over my shoulder. “So, when are we going in?”
“The fuck are you talking about?”
“The warehouse. If Lorenzo wants you to make a move, you’re going to need all the backup you can get. What’s the plan? I can have my demolition boys hook us up with some explosives.”
“You’re not coming.”
Milo snorts. “Why the hell not? You heard the boss. You need my contacts and resources if you’re going to pull this off.”
“I have plenty of resources of my own.” I push him off me. “You’re the last person I’d ever ask for help.”
“Stubborn bastard. Can’t you see what a great opportunity this is?”
“You thinkin-fightingis a great opportunity?” I seethe. “We need to figure out a way to get Lorenzo to reconsider. We need to patch things up with Renato and get his men off our backs.”
“Comeon,” Milo whines. He might be two years my senior, but sometimes he can be an annoying child. “Think bigger, Dom. Bigger.”
I frown. “Get to the point or get out of my face.”
“This is our chance to oust Lorenzo.”
It’s a slap to the face. Cold dread washes over me, white hot rage boiling in my chest. I shove Milo against the wall, pinning my forearm across his throat. “What you’re suggesting is treason,” I snarl. “Do youwantto die?”
“What?” he challenges, wheezing for breath. “Are you going to kill me?”
“Yes, and I’ll enjoy every last second.”
“I wouldn’t,” Milo chokes. His face is starting to turn purple.
“Give me one good reason why I should let you live?”
“Because I know who killed your brother.”
I release him at once, stunned. “Tomasso?” I breathe. “How…”