"There's definitely something going on," Vincenzo said quietly as we walked through the myriad tables.
"Meaning?"
"Meaning, people are scared."
When people got scared, they often forgot their obligations to the organization, requiring harsh reminders. That allowed for mistakes to be made, which couldn't happen at this point in time.
"What's the status of finding Sierra's car?" I asked, pulling Dante away from the others.
He huffed, glancing from right to left. "The boys couldn't find it."
"Anywhere." Christ. This was beginning to smell like more than just a basic setup and the stench was rank.
"They looked for two hours. I still have them searching the grid area. Someone will talk."
"Jesus fucking Christ. The boys find anything?" I knew the answer, but that meant Axel had known from the get-go who Sierra was. She'd been lying to me. Again.
He exhaled. "Not a damn thing. Besides, the police were crawling over the area. Haven't seen anything like it down that way. Guess that kid's murder really created a mess."
"The senator is a popular man." Although he was more of a prick than his constituents had any idea about.
"We'll keep looking. The car has to turn up somewhere."
Something about Sierra's story was off. She had some serious explaining to do.
I strolled into the back room, the expansive space perfect for family meetings. There were no windows or outside doors, the location private and well-tended to. I seemed to be the only one who had an issue with coming here. Between the stench of stale cigarettes imbedded in the old plaster walls or the cheesy Italian music, the evening always left a bad taste in my mouth.
The room was more festive than I'd experienced before, several candles flickering from the middle of the table, wineglasses and the restaurant's finest china arranged for a family-style dinner. It appeared this meeting was also a feast, meaning a celebration.
Two of my father's soldiers were standing guard at the door, his top Capos already seated at the massive table. Armando was sitting next to my father, who was already holding court.
The other man in the room forced me to a hard stop. What. The. Fuck? "Stefan." I was thrown, thrilled to see him but apprehensive as to the reason.
"Hello, brother. You seem surprised to see me." Stefan's dark eyes twinkled as he walked closer, holding out his hand.
Grinning, I pulled him in for a bear hug, slapping him on the back. "Jesus, man. I thought you were still in the African jungle searching for berries or some shit." It had been almost four years since I'd seen my younger brother. He'd never wanted anything to do with the family business, his heart given to world of causes and plights. I was damn proud of him. Such an innocent soul, a man with a mission worth fighting for. He was the epitome of goodness while I'd been accused of having no soul.
The fact he was actually attending a family business meeting both riled and worried me. As the favorite son, Stefan had been pampered by both my mother and father, every whim or hobby Stefan needed funding for fulfilled. In turn, my brother had always looked up to and respected my father above anyone else. His arrival home wasn't a coincidence. What the hell was my father up to?
"You know perfectly well what I was doing. Saving the world from itself," he said chidingly. "Berries might or might not have been involved."
I laughed again, feeling more lighthearted than when I'd walked in. I'd missed our frank conversations over anything but mafia tactics, nights spent watching football games while drinking entirely too much beer. That seemed like a lifetime ago.
"What are you doing here?" As two waiters entered the room, the conversations became muted. They certainly knew everyone's choice of libations. The glass of expensive bourbon was placed in my hand without a single question, the red wine placed in Stefan's bringing yet another smile. "And are you turning sophisticated on me, brother?"
Stefan lifted his glass, his grin the same mischievous one he'd had since a boy. He'd never been suited to become a part of the business. "Hey, I've always enjoyed an excellent merlot and Father asked me to attend," he answered, shifting his gaze toward our father's direction.
"When did you get in?"
"Last night, late flight. Slept half the day or I would have called."
"It's fine. I was busy anyway. Just glad you're back home." I took a sip of my drink, knowing that Carmine Francesco never made any decision without having thought it through. My father has distinct reasons for Stefan being here.
"It was time," he said quietly. I heard a hint of sadness in his voice.
"You're going to have to tell me all about your trip."
Stefan sighed and I could swear he was hiding behind his glass. "I will. There's a hell of lot to tell. And you, brother? How's your love life?"
It was the same question he'd asked me since I was barely eighteen, finally becoming a standing joke, only this time his question had true meaning. "Wouldn't you like to know?" I jested.
"Yes, I would actually. I can smell a woman on you," he teased, his grin getting wider.
Heat crested along my jaw, an occurrence that had never happened before.
"Wow, this girl must be damn special if she has you blushing," Stefan murmured.
"Just someone from my past." I was forced to admit, I'd had a difficult time not thinking about Sierra since leaving the house. Even my cock ached with the slightest thought about her. Tasting her mouth, feasting on her sweet pussy had brought back far too many enjoyable memories.
"You know what they say about your past, don't you?" Stefan waited until I gave him a wry look. "That you can never run lest creatures of the night yank you into hell."
"That must be a proverb I wasn't taught in Catholic school," I huffed, laughing softly. It was good to have him home.
"Just something I learned in the jungle. Can't wait to meet this girl."
Carmine rose to a standing position, indicating it was time for everyone to sit. "Thank you everyone for coming tonight. I realize it was short notice." His voice was strong, more commanding than usual.
Stefan lifted a single eyebrow as we locked eyes. This could prove to be an interesting evening.