CHAPTER 195 We Lose Pete, We Have Nothing

*Cristos*

De Luca's husky voice, although faint, resonated from the external speakers of Dina's workstation.

"De Luca," he whispered, identifying himself.

"Voice biometrics match, Primo. It's De Luca," Dina verified after quickly comparing De Luca's greeting to a voiceprint stored in her computer.

"I just grabbed a bite to eat, Dina," De Luca mumbled in a hushed tone. In the background, I could hear the nearby sounds of incessant chatter amidst the loud noise of vehicles passing by. He didn't want to be overheard. "Tell the underbosses that there is no need for them to worry. The package is secure. I'll call as soon as I arrive at the safe house."

I rolled my eyes. Depite years of being a Blood Disciple, he was being naive.

*But was he really*? Among all of Sebastian's captains, De Luca was both cunning and calculating. He rarely took risks, knowing full well that any deviation from a calculated plan could mean a jail cell or worse, death.

De Luca used guile rather than might. He helped Sebastian devise the clever strategic, tactical, and operational scheme behind Sebastian's successful drug trafficking operation. For years, the system had provided the organization a leeway for transport and distribution while continuously evading law enforcement and earning massive profits. Thus, it comes as no surprise if Sebastian had a particular fondness for De Luca and kept him by his side like a lucky charm.

On the other hand, De Luca's aversion to firepower wasn't a quality Xavier admired. Instead, he saw De Luca as a coward. But despite his reservations, Xavier treated De Luca with respect, knowing full well that De Luca was partly responsible for Sebastian's success.

The sudden sound of a horn honking in the background interrupted my thoughts. After Dina's revelation, suddenly I was thinking the same.

*But De Luca could never betray Sebastian*. They were like brothers.

"Well, fuck you too, asshole!" De Luca yelled, the speakers around us vibrating from the intensity of his voice. "Sorry about that. Some *stronzo* almost hit me with his car. Anyway, I'll leave it up to you to update Domenico. I really need to get going. I'm already behind schedule."

Alarmed he might end the call, I hurriedly cleared my throat and spoke.

"De Luca, I would like to emphasize that while you are busy satisfying your cravings, there are certain people looking for that *package* stowed away in the back of your van. If by any chance they find you, I can say with utmost certainty that they won't hesitate putting a bullet through that thick skull of yours. Because of the potential danger transporting such a valued target poses, you shouldn't be making any unwarranted stops of any kind... Not even to take a piss," I reprimanded him, each word I spoke laced with scorn. "Pete may have a tracking device hidden beneath his skin. Any delay can cost you your life."

"My apologies, Primo," he blurted out, surprised to hear my voice and not Dina's. "There's a shop here at the gas station called Sante Fe that serves the best breakfast burritos in all of North Dakota. Since I wasn't able to have breakfast because of all the last minute errands Domenico sent me to do, I just couldn't resist. I decided to get one for myself and a couple more for the boys at the safehouse."

After his rather quick explanation, I heard the unmistakable sharp sound of a car door slamming shut.

*No wonder he wasn't whispering anymore*. He was in the van.

"What is the status of the package?" I asked. There was a slight pause before he replied.

"Package is secure, Primo. Unconscious and restrained," he assured me while the sound of the van's wheels squeaked in the background. "I am now exiting the gas station, en route to the safe house"

"Good," I said, genuinely pleased. "By the way, Dom wants an update from you as soon as you arrive at the safe house."

"Copy, Primo," he replied coldly. It was strange, but I definitely picked up a tinge of animosity in his voice.

*Was it because his orders were coming from me and not from Sebastian himself*? I made a mental note to have Sebastian point out that there was more than one underboss he had to answer to.

"No more pit stops, De Luca. I have Dina tracking you," I warned him. "If you divert, Dina has instructions to notify us straight away."

"Copy that," he grunted before hanging up on me. *What a prick*!

De Luca may be the best when it came to the drug business, but he just wasn't cut out for an operation like this one.

"Dina, keep an eye on him," I instructed. "If he veers off or lingers in one area, notify me."

"Copy," she replied before pointing at her monitor. "Primo, the red dot at the Sheriff's station has gone mobile. It's moving towards St. Elizabeth's."

"Record each and every conversation Liam has, including any words that may sound like an incoherent thought. Also, keep an eye on the CCTV feed at the hospital. I want to know who's where at any given time. Especially Noah," I instructed her.

"Copy, Primo," she replied, clicking away on her keyboard.

"Oh, and send the audio file to Bo and Dom. They will want to hear that recording."

"Done," Dina replied with a click of her mouse.

"Thank you, Dina," I said, walking toward the glass door. "By the way, I overheard the Colonel order his IT specialist to hack into our system. Inform me if there's a breach."

"A breach?" She scoffed. "Over my dead, beautiful, body!"

Chuckling at her reply, I exited the room to meet up with the others.

Sebastian, Xavier and Jake were waiting for me in the middle of the warehouse, all three men freshly showered and in civilian clothing. I noticed that the truck was gone and a number of Xavier's men were mopping the floor with disinfectant.

"What took you so long?!" Xavier hissed at me.

"De Luca wouldn't answer his damn phone, that's what!" I hissed back at him.

"But you did get in touch with him, yes?" Sebastian asked, a hint of anxiety in his brown eyes.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did," I informed him angrily. "Dom, when you briefed De Luca, did you make it perfectly clear to him that he was to go straight to the safe house and nowhere else?"

"Of course, I did," he answered, confused. "Wha-"

"You did?" I asked doubtfully, cutting him off. "Because for some odd reason De Luca decided to make a stop at the gas station and pick up some grub, leaving the package unattended in the van. I had to personally remind him of the dangers involved if the package is left out in the open for too long."

"Thanks for the update, Chip," he muttered gruffly, his jaw clenched. "Don't worry. I will make sure De Luca learns from his mistakes."

*That's it*?

"Well, you better pray nothing happens to him then," I scoffed, annoyed De Luca was off the hook once again. "I, for one, don't want to have to explain to our fathers why we have a dead capo on our hands when, in retrospect, all he had do was follow simple instructions."

"Whoa! Calm down, Chip. Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Xavier said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You said so yourself, De Luca had his reasons."

"Whatever those reasons may be, aren't enough to defy *our* direct orders," I argued through clenched teeth, pulling away from him. "I'm telling you, Dom, you really need to reeducate that capo of yours. Or did I miss the memo about De Luca's promotion to underboss?"

I saw the angry warning in Sebastian's eyes, but I didn't want to back off. When it came to De Luca, he was soft. *I wanted Sebastian to punish him*!

"What is your problem, Chip?" Xavier asked, bewildered by my sudden outburst. "Pete's drugged and chained to a van. Plus, even if he does have a tracking device on him, frequencies are being blocked left and right. So, the chances of someone actually finding him is slim to none."

"And if his tracker is equipped with the latest and most sophisticated anti-jam technology? You know, the ones I've asked you to order from your friend working for the DOD? What then?" I asked, quickly reminding him of the possibilities. "Despite our careful planning, we have encountered problems over and over again. Take earlier for example, if I hadn't improvised, your little *roof problem* would have turned into a full blown retaliation from the Colonel and his men."

"Okay, fine. It didn't occur to me that these mercenaries may have the latest in technology," Xavier replied defensively. "But from what we can deduce from *earlier* is that their devices are just as susceptible as ours."

I threw my hands up in the air in exasperation. Apparently, no one was learning from their mistakes.

"We can not underestimate the enemy, Bo," I groaned, feeling a bit defeated. "Not Pete, not the Colonel and especially not Lorenzo Ortiz. For your information, Lorenzo Ortiz is planning to kill Link for, and I quote, his interference. Add that to our already long list of problems."

"Where did you hear that?!" Xavier asked, completely taken aback by that bit of information.

"From Liam's audio recording. You can listen to it yourself. I had Dina send the file to both of you," I answered, before turning to Sebastian. "Dom, you have to understand, Pete may be our one and only bargaining chip to save Link or any one of us if need be. If we lose Pete, we have nothing... and that, Dom, will be on you and De Luca. Make no mistake, if we do lose Pete, I will make sure our fathers hear of De Luca's disobedience-"

"ENOUGH! As I said, I will personally handle De Luca myself! He is *my* responsibility! MINE!" Sebastian growled harshly, his voice dangerously low, as he glared at me through narrowed eyes. "And as far as our fathers are concerned, Chip, they will be told nothing. You hear me?! NOTHING!"

I stood my ground, both my fists clenched at my sides, ready to take him on.

Jake, unwilling to be in the middle of a fight, whistled nervously and took several steps back, looking on as Sebastian and I squared off.

"Guys, guys, guys," Xavier pleaded, "now isn't the time. Virtue is in the hospital, remember? Right now, the best thing we can do is go see her. She needs us."

An image of Joy's beautiful face flashed though my mind and I instantly felt ashamed. I was so concerned with De Luca, I forgot about her.

I have to admit I went too far. I moved away from Sebastian, unclenching my fists, while Sebastian lowered his gaze, slowly nodding his head in agreement with Xavier.

"I'm sorry, Dom," I mumbled shamefully.

"I'm sorry, too, Chip. Believe me, your concerns are valid. I assure you, I will deal with De Luca... my way," Sebastian promised, putting an end to our argument. "Anyway, we better get going. I've put Sam and Link in charge of securing the warehouse while the rest clean up with bleach. Once they're done, no one will find a speck of blood... anywhere."

"Just in case anyone were to come snooping around, I propose placing a few drops of blood outside the commercial complex. Maybe in the grassy noll at the back," I suggested.

"Already taken of," Sebastian said, his lips curving upward into a small smile. "Come on, Jake. You're with me. Chip, you ride with Bo. We'll see you guys at the hospital."

As Sebastian and Jake walked toward Dom's, Xavier opened the door that led to Bo's and quickly walked into the dimly lit hallway.

I followed him inside, checking my phone for an update from Lou. Unfortunately, there was none.

As I walked, I sent a message to Lou asking him to send some of our men to assist De Luca.

*We couldn't afford to lose Pete McDowell*.