Chapter 6 Him again
Dante's POV
Damn it, don’t let it be who I think it is.
Please, for once in my miserable life, let me be wrong.
The Escalade tore the highway with inhuman speed. The engine burnt effortlessly, firing through as I pressed into the shuttle till my legs felt numb.
Everything moved like they felt my mood. My knuckles went white on the steering wheel as I gripped it with all I had.
The city lights vanished quickly across the windshield at lightning pace. Every time I blinked I saw the cracking blurry video again.
I kept seeing the hooded figure stepping out of the black SUV, the shiny glint of my family crest ring on his finger.
A hand that I had probably poured whiskey for over the years, or a hand I’d probably shaken some time. Who knows if I had fed that same hand.
I glanced up at the rear-view to catch sight of Serena. She sat sideways in the back seat with her knees drawn up and her arms wrapped around them like a kid trying so much to disappear.
The diamond necklace shone from around her throat, the only thing of his she had refused to take off for some reason.
She hadn’t said a word since we left the courtyard. Smart girl. I wasn’t in the mood to talk.
I was in the mood to put a bullet in the head of someone I had once called brother.
Whoever this could be, he must have had his way around for a while now. I need to double check all my warehouses, be sure I'm not getting played from right under my nose.
I pulled up at the first warehouse just five minutes later, just on 18th Street.
The one the Romanos had targeted this morning.
I killed the engine and stepped out. Something about here looked out of place, time to find out.
Serena made to follow after me but I threw her a look that stopped her in her tracks.
“Stay,” I added with less force, it's not her fight.
Good thing she didn't argue. She simply says back.
As I reached the entrance, Vito, one of the keepers, rushed towards me at the gate.
His face looked pale and his hands kept shaking. “Boss, I swear on my kids—”
“Save it,” I cut him off, walking past him while my eyes scanned the entire view of the building. “Anyone came through here yesterday who wasn’t supposed to?” I asked, stopping just at the entrance.
“No one, Don Dante. Swear to Christ,” Vito replied hastily, stepping closer.
“You sure?” I asked again.
“Swear it, Don,” he replied immediately.
I took a deep breath, then stepped closer faster. “Think harder, Vito. Seen any man in a hoodie? A little over six feet with broad shoulders and wears a Russo crest ring on his right hand?”
Vito’s eyes widened. He must know exactly who I am describing. He just didn’t want to say it.
“Don, eh—”
“Vito! I'm dead serious here!” I yelled, grabbing his shoulders forcefully.
“Don, he was here, but I swear, he never got in. Just kept hanging around each day,” Vito finally admitted.
“And you didn't bother to tell me?” I asked, hovering over him viscously.
“I did, I mean—”
I walked away, leaving him sweating. I've heard enough. Whoever this is, he didn't start today.
I stepped in and zoomed off without a single word. I stared at Serena through the rearview again, she looked like she had a lot to ask. Good thing she didn't.
I arrived at the second warehouse barely ten minutes later, just a little shy of the river.
I stormed in and bombarded the gatekeeper at once. “Seen anyone that doesn't belong here come around of recent?”
He looked scared, even dropping his cigarette the moment the question left my lips.
“What's going on, Don?” He rather asked.
“No time for this, seen anyone you don't trust with a Russo ring come around here?” I asked again.
“No. But the cameras have caught a strange fellow boating around the premises at night,” he replied.
“Shit,” I cursed, storming away.
“Wait, Don. What's—”
I was already far gone, no time for all these. This dude couldn't be everywhere at once.
I jumped in again, and like before, I zoomed off without another word.
I arrived at the third warehouse and repeated the same process from the top.
“No, Don. Never seen anyone suspicious around here,” the gatekeeper replied.
“You sure?!” I practically yelled, my patience was quickly running thin.
“Yes, Don,” he replied again, shivering this time. “I swear it,” he added.
How can that be? He's been at every warehouse till now, and hasn't been here? I thought for a moment before turning to him slowly.
“You listen to me, if I find out you are lying to me, I swear, I'll cut your balls off and force you to eat it!” I yelled, grabbing him by the collar.
“I hear you, Don,” he whimpered.
I walked off, still trying to place everything together.
Serena tried speaking, but I could see she was scared.
By the time I pulled up at the fourth warehouse, Serena had found the courage she needed.
“Dante—” she started, but I was out before she could say more.
Here, I got the same response as the first two warehouses. Did he actually skip the third?
The second I slid back into the driver’s seat, Serena leaned forward between the seats. “Dante, talk to me. You look more troubled that I've ever seen you.”
I started the car without looking at her. “Not now, piccola.”
“No, don't push me aside, Dante. This is all cause of me. Just an hour ago, you had a gun to my head and now, you're driving around. I think I’ve earned an explanation.”
I stared into her eyes through the mirror, she looked terrified. I hated how much I liked the fire in her.
“Later,” I said, and zoomed off.
At the fifth warehouse, the one we keep the good stuff. The capo there, Salvatore, refused to sound troubled.
“No, Don. Nothing suspicious has gone on here,” he kept saying.
Salvatore was one of our most respected capos, and he deserved that respect.
“You sure? Seen this video of a man in a hoodie wearing a Russo ring and lurking around my crib and warehouses,” I explained calmly.
“If we see that motherfucker, he's dead. He won't dare come around here,” he replied.
“Salvatore, questa è una cosa importante. Pensa, c'è stato qualche caso recente di?” I asked in Italian, hoping he'll take me more seriously.
“Don, lo giuro... aspetta, ora che ci penso. Our server has been catching some strange signals of recent. Didn't put much thought to it, but could be your guy,” he finally admitted.
I took a deep breath before patting him on the shoulder. “Thanks Salvatore.”
“We'll find him boss,” he added and I nodded, walking back towards the car.
As I got there, I found Serena standing outside with her arms crossed over her chest and tapping her foot against the sand.
“You’re scaring me,” she said quietly when I got closer.
I gently pushed her against the door, with my hands on either side of her body. “Good. Be scared. Means you’re paying attention.”
Her chin lifted to meet my eyes. “Tell me who this guy is.”
I brushed my thumb across her bottom lip. “When I know for sure, you’ll know.”
She bit my thumb, and I smiled. Dirty little bitch. She nodded and we got in.
The sixth warehouse and seventh warehouse offered little to nothing.
No sight or trace of him. What could he be up to?
By the time we rolled towards the eighth warehouse, the largest one by the abandoned rail yard on the South Side.
I felt sick, frustrated.
Serena had gone completely silent by now. She said not a word and made no move again.
I was so lost in my head I almost missed it.
We were half a block from the gate, when my foot slammed the brake hard, sending Serena slamming against the chair.
My eyes followed a figure just outside the premises.