He pulls me into his arms and tightens them around me. “You are, Son, I can feel it.” He releases me and I him. “I’ll get someone to find out who had her phone tapped. We’re going to find out the truth and everyone involved is going to pay.” His tone is fierce, he’s finally being the man I had expected him to be, and I don’t know what to make of the new attitude.
The sound of my cell ringing fills the air, my dad nods and leaves my office. Reaching for my cell, I see Jagger’s name flashing on my screen. “Talk to me,” I demand, hoping that he has some news.
“I found him, Boss. Meet us at the deli,” he informs me and I can’t help but smile, it didn’t take him too long to find him, I’m impressed. Barney mustn’t have known that he is a wanted man.
“I’m on my way.” I end the call, finally ready to end this shit. I need Mia back. I never thought I’d have a weakness, that nobody could ever be defeated. That changed when Mia walked into my life, I truly realized what love was and I knew fear. The first time in my life I’ve felt fear but it also made me feel alive, knowing that I’d do what it took to make sure I got my girl back. That I’m deadliest when she’s in trouble.
I walk past Dad and Tina and grab my keys out of my pocket as I reach the front door. “Have you found her?” The softness of Tina’s voice has my hand pausing on the door handle.
I shouldn’t turn but fuck, I do. When I look at her, all I see is pain. Maybe she’s been hiding it, burying it? “I don’t know yet. I’ve found some new Intel. I’m going to try and extract information. If I find anything I’ll call,” I tell her and just like that, her expression changes. Shaking my head I turn and leave, I’ve just been played, Tina doesn’t give a shit, and she just does whatever she needs to do to get information. Maybe Jagger was right, my head’s not in the game, if I continue with my bad judgment my men could die.
Getting into my car, I start it up and head for the deli. The deli is what we call the warehouse that Larson Butchers own, Jagger trying to be funny called it a deli with all the meats they had in here. The Larson brothers get paid handsomely for my use of their warehouse, it also keeps them out of trouble with gangs and shit. They know that the brothers work for me and in turn everyone keeps away from them. It’s a win-win for us all.
A chill hits me as I walk into the warehouse, damn, I forgot how fucking cold they have it set in here. The muffled shouts lead me to where Jagger, Aaron, and Barney are. Aaron’s standing against the wall with his arms crossed scowling at Barney. Jagger is sitting on a chair playing some fucking game on his cell phone, and Barney is tied up to a meat hook, wearing only his boxer shorts.
“Barney, sorry to keep you hanging around,” I say and everyone’s attention is on me, both Jagger and Aaron snicker like school boys. “Jag, untie his mouth. No one is around and I have some questions that need answering.”
Jagger does as I ask and removes the gag from Barney’s mouth. “What the hell is going on?” He spits as he glares at Jagger.
“You have information that I need.” Barney flinches at my tone. Gone is the calm and collected Hudson. My tone is full of anger and rage. I’m ready to explode and fucking God help anyone on the receiving end of it.
“There’s some mistake, why the hell am I tied up?” he asks as he wriggles trying to get out of the restraints.
“I’m the one asking questions, not you,” I smirk. “Now, where do I begin?”
“Boss, you’ve got the wrong idea.” He’s such a fucking weasel.
“Oh and what idea do I have?”
He shakes his head. “Boss, you’ve got me tied up, whatever the reason - it’s the wrong one.” Fear radiating from every inch of him, I wouldn’t be surprised if he pisses himself next.
I nod and a hint of relief shines in his eyes. “Do I? So, you didn’t lie to me about Lacey? You didn’t tell me that you practically loved her?”
He frowns. “I did, Boss.” He’s so confused right now, I’m about to educate him. “I do love her, Boss, you know that.”
I nod yet again. “You do, do you? So want to explain to me why you’ve been seen with Tianna Mancini?”
His eyes widen. “What?” It’s a whisper, he didn’t think we knew about that. “Boss, you can’t be serious?”
I take a step forward so that we’re face to face. “I’m deadly serious. Tell me something Barney, why were you and Tianna embracing?”
“Boss, you have the wrong idea. Dante and Lisa got married and they had a baby shower last week.” Lisa’s his sister, I knew she was getting married but no idea to whom.
Jagger laughs. “You really want us to believe that your sister married Dante Mancini? The capo bastone?” Dante Mancini is Cesare Mancini’s eldest son, he’s the under boss. Once Cesare is dead Dante takes over.
“Yes, I’m fucking telling you, they’re married and Lisa’s pregnant.”
“Say we believe you. Why has Cesare deposited two hundred grand into your account in the past six months?” He’s silent and that tells me he’s guilty. If you have nothing to hide, why say nothing? “I’ve had enough of the bullshit, I’m sick of the lies. It’s time to be a man Barney. Own up to your shit.”
He sighs. “Fine. The money isn’t from Cesare, it’s from Landon King. I did a job for him a couple of months back and he’s finally paying.”
Jagger glances at me. “Why is it Barney that you’re doing business with someone else? You are my man. Mine,” I growl, fucking Landon King is the youngest of the East Street Kings.
All that Barney can do is shrug.
“I’m investigating all the dummy corporations that link you and whoever else you’re working with. If any of them have a link to where Mia is, Lisa’s going to die.”
He wriggles against his restraints even more. “They won’t boss. I promise you they won’t. I haven’t got Mia. I wouldn’t do that. I owe you my life, you have my loyalty. I would never betray you.” His voice full of terror.