“I don’t know,” I say, shrugging self-consciously. “Just something. I have a good head for numbers, I’m organized, I’m business-minded, at least I think I am.” I’ve always had ideas, I just had no one to take me seriously. When Jorge used to get tipsy and let Zega business slip, beyond gathering intel, I’d also analyze the strategy behind certain decisions. While my uncle is shrewd, so am I.
I shake my head, trying to stay on track. Because as much as I enjoy sitting outside in the fresh air and sunshine talking to someone close to my age, I’m starting to lose focus on the real reason I’m here. My mother would often talk to me about the need for investigative journalists to stay cool-headed and objective, not to get wrapped up in their sources and the story that they’re covering. And yet here I am, doing exactly that.
It was easy to focus on exacting revenge at my uncle’s home, surrounded by terrible men, but here, life is different. I’m content here, and I wonder if my parents would want me to focus on revenge, or just being happy. Deep inside, I know the answer, but I can’t give up now.
“Are the guys always so busy?” I ask, navigating the conversation back to the brotherhood. “Daniil works constantly.”
“Yes, but…” She waves her hand in front of her. “I’ve never seen them work like this. Their empire is growing, especially with the casino.” She sighs heavily. Georgia doesn’t come from the mafia world like I do. I wonder if it’s still weird for her.
“How do you manage that?” I ask. “Never seeing Andrei.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say Ineversee him.” Her head tips to the side, and she twirls a piece of hair around her finger. “I have the means to get his attention. And it usually includes busting into his office wearing no panties.”
I nearly spit out my drink. “Oh my god.” I laugh. “That’s brilliant.”
“You should try it sometime. They’re never too busy for a little fun… or the right kind of fun.”
BINGO.
An idea forms in my head. Now I just have to wait for the perfect moment to carry out my plan.
“I think I’ll try it,” I agree, sitting back in my seat, and bringing my cocktail to my lips. After a beat, I ask her something I’ve been genuinely wondering. “Do you ever have a hard time with the ugly side of this business?”
She purses her lips in thought. “Sometimes, what little I know of it, to be honest. Bratva life is all this family knows, it’s what they do best. I’ve had to accept who my husband is, even if I don’t like or agree with every choice he makes.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“For what?” She grins at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“For your honesty. There aren’t many people willing to speak the truth about this world we live in. It’s refreshing when someone tells it like it is.”
“Always. I’m here for you, Bianca. Things will get better, you’ll see.”
I nod and release a small sigh. That’s a beautiful thought, but it’s simply not true.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
DANIIL
The crinklingof a candy bar wrapper seems to fill up the space of the entire car. My eyes cut to Leo, who pauses with a half-unwrapped Snickers bar partway to his face. He takes a big-ass bite, still holding eye contact, and then thrusts the bar towards me. With a full mouth he asks, “Want some?”
“Is that really necessary?” I ask, sinking lower into the driver’s seat. We’ve been sitting in the parking lot of this pathetic excuse for a strip club for three fucking hours, waiting for Jorge and his entourage to exit.
“What? I’m hungry,” Leo grumbles, taking another big bite before crumpling up the wrapper. Having no better place for it, he shoves it in his coat pocket before slinking down in the leather seat. Like me, he’s had enough of sitting here waiting for the light show to start.
Our guys have been trailing Jorge for days, barely letting him out of their sight. It’s what I should have done from the moment he moved to New York. Kept my eyes on him. Tracked his every move. But hindsight is twenty-twenty, and now I’m learning more than I ever wanted to know about him and the Zegas.
Case in point, this piece of shit strip joint on the outskirts of Jersey is how they spend their nights when not at the Bellair or following Bianca into one of our clubs. They’ve also set up their base of unofficial operations here, meeting with local dealers to get Zega products out on the street.
Andrei gave his blessing for the Zegas to deal in Jersey, especially since their supply is limited. But that will change if we help them ship their blow. And while it’d be a major cash infusion for us, there’s no way I’m going to allow that to happen.
And that’s what we’re doing here.
My leg bounces up and down, impatience gnawing at my insides. “You say your guy’s the best at wiring up cars, huh?”
Beside me, Leo huffs out a little laugh. “Getting cold feet, are you? This was your genius idea.”
Yeah, it most definitely was. Provoking Jorge to come at me took some planning. He needs to know we mean business. This message will be clear—enough fucking around, if he plans on making a move, make it already. I’m ready for him.