What the fuck am I supposed to do now?
Chapter 24
Dominic
It’s hard to enjoy my meal when I feel this sick and disgusted. Does Lorenzo really see me as such a threat that he’d be willing to work with another capo to get rid of me? His message history is proof enough.
I need him gone. Before he suspects anything.
Working on it.
We had eyes on him at Nobu. His woman got in the way.
How did you fuck this up?
Gun them both down. How hard is that?
His right hand tipped him off. Need him out of the picture.
Then do it.
Another hit? That’s going to cost you.
Name your price.
Your gambling den on Main.
You greedy fucker. Fine. Just get it done.
The tips of my fingers are numb. My heart beats so loudly I can’t hear the conversation at the table. I’m vaguely aware that the ladies are all chattering away, but I can’t pick out the sounds, too lost in my own tunnel vision.
I might have stood a chance against Lorenzo alone, buttwocapos? I’m as good as dead. They have all the resources, the connections, the manpower and the firepower. I thought I could strategize my way out of this, but these messages are as incriminating as it gets.
If Lorenzo wants a bloodbath, I’ll give him a bloodbath.
Nothing like plotting a coup over dinner with the family.
“Tell me, Arin,” mother says politely, “where did you grow up?”
“Here and there,” Arin replies vaguely. “My parents passed away when I was very young, so I lived with my Grannie Ruth. She traveled a lot, so I went wherever she went. Seattle for a little while, Omaha for a few years, and then finally to New York.”
“And where is she now?”
“Passed on, I’m afraid.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Oh, it’s alright. She lived a good, long life. What about you?”
“Grew up in Sicily,” my mother says proudly. “Born and raised. Dominic, too, before we moved to New York with his father. Tomasso was born in the States.”
I shoot Arin a glance. I’ve told her next to nothing about my younger brother, yet she says, “I’m really sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like.”
Mother’s smile is tinted heavily with sadness. She reaches to her side to play with her granddaughter’s hair. “Having a child taken from you… It’s unthinkable.”
The mood becomes sullen, a heavy silence lingering over us at the dining table. Between worrying about my conniving capo, mourning the death of my brother, and fearing for Arin and Felicia’s safety, I’m officially checked out.
“I should probably get going,” Mother announces, dabbing her mouth with the corner of her napkin. “Thank you very much for dinner. I’ll have to have you three over for dinner at my home soon.”