19

Chapter 19
Dominic
“That fucker has all of SoHo,” Lorenzo hisses around the fat cigar stuck between his lips. “Renato’s getting greedy. He already has prime real estate. The man’s ego is something else.”
My capo paces around his office, grumbling bitterly to himself. He’s been in a foul mood ever since he landed earlier this morning, effectively cutting his ill-timed vacation short. Lorenzo whips around, furious eyes almost bulging out of their sockets as he points an accusatory finger at Milo.
“Why weren’t you keeping better tabs on his mens’ movements?” my capo snaps.
Milo shifts his weight from foot to foot, though he doesn’t look particularly worried. As Lorenzo’s third in command, he’s experienced his fair share of tongue lashings. Having Lorenzo spit all over you while in a rage is basically a rite of passage.
“Our patrols reported nothing suspicious,” Milo explains easily. “They’ve been hitting us when we least expect it. It’s like they know exactly when and where we’ll be. I’m worried we might have a leak.”
A flicker of annoyance makes my lip curl. “You can’t be serious. You think there’s a mole amongst our ranks?”
“It makes sense, doesn’t it? These shootings aren’t by chance. They’ve all been targeted. You and your brother, a group of your men, you and that little plaything of yours—”
I snatch him by the collar. “Careful,” I hiss.
Milo smirks. “I knew it. There were rumors floating around, but I didn’t believe them. I can’t believe you, of all people, have a woman. Where have you kept her tucked away all this time?”
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 think in-fighting is 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.”
“Come on,” 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 you want to 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…”
Milo massages his throat, coughing violently. A sheen of sweat covers his brow, his hair mussed from our brief and one-sided altercation. “I’ve been piecing things together,” he croaks. “I kept asking myself, who’d benefit the most from your death?”
“You’re definitely top of the list,” I snipe, on the defensive.
“Oh, please. I may hate your guts, but I don’t envy your workload. If you died, I’d have to take care of Lorenzo’s incompetent ass.”
“You really need to stop running your mouth in front of me.”
“What? We both know it’s true. Lorenzo’s glory days are over. If it weren’t for you, his entire territory would fall overnight. Everybody knows you’re the one running things around here.”
I sneer. “Who’s everybody?”
Milo stands upright, smoothing his wrinkled shirt. “Everybody. Your associates, other soldiers, neighboring capos. The sottocapo. Lorenzo’s a laughingstock, Dom. A has-been. You command far more respect and loyalty.”
“Stop it.”
“It could all be yours and he knows it. That’s why he’s been ordering hits
against you.”
I’m at a loss for words. This isn’t right. It can’t be… My phone pings. It’s a text message from Elio.
Arin has a meeting with Miriam Singh. We’re in SoHo, a place called The Lilac Fountain. Want me to bring you some mozza sticks?
My face falls.
SoHo? That’s right in the middle of Renato’s territory.
Alarm bells blare inside my skull. How could Elio take Arin there? What the hell is he thinking, walking straight into the lion’s den? He should know that’s way too far outside of our jurisdiction.
“Fuck,” I hiss, shoving my phone back in my pocket. This is too much.
Between Lorenzo wanting me to carry out his vendetta, Milo manipulating me into overthrowing our own captain, and Arin being caught in the middle of war she knows nothing about, it’s a miracle I even have the energy to remain standing. At this point, I’m running on pure adrenaline.
I need to deal with one problem at a time.
Right now, I need to get to Arin before shit has the chance to hit the fan. “This isn’t over,” I snap at Milo before shoving right past him.
“Be careful, Dom,” he shouts after me. “I’d watch my back if I were you.”
Any other day, I’d ignore him. Milo’s always had it out for me. What if he’s lying? But if he is, would he really go this far? He knows what we do to traitors. We don’t take betrayal lightly. Anyone caught working with the police or cooperating with the other syndicates in New York are met with swift and merciless punishment. But as irritating as Milo is, he isn’t stupid. His moves are calculated, his risks weighed. He’d never suggest something as ludicrous as gunning for Lorenzo’s seat at the table unless he knew he had winning odds.
I don’t know what’s more terrifying. The fact that my boss might be trying to kill me, or that I’m actually taking Milo seriously. There’s no time to rack my brain about it, though. Every second I waste is another second Arin remains exposed. I need to get her out of there.
No matter what the cost.