"Nothing substantial. Several of the bastards got away." Three of them had been taken out, one of the vehicles confiscated. Unfortunately, a more significant amount of the drugs must have been in the getaway van. Still, perhaps the bag we'd confiscated would put them on edge, even forcing their hand. Angelo had already leaked the information that we had two of their goons on lockdown. He would work on their information skills over night, but I had my doubts they would talk. Now, we had to be prepared for anything.
"Who was the dude you hit?"
I lifted my head, trying to calm my nerves. "No ID and none of the boys had ever seen him before." I yanked out my phone, eyeing the picture I'd taken. The guy was in his early twenties, his neck and hands covered in tattoos.
"You gonna show that to Marco?" Bruno inched closer, his gaze falling to the shadowed photo.
"Not a bad idea." I glared at the photo, as if it was going to tell me anything vital.
"If you don't mind me asking, what did Lorenzo want?"
I'd almost forgotten about my conversation with him. "He wants to find the asshole as much as we do."
"Does that mean you're working with him?" I heard the condescending tone in his voice. There wasn't another man who could get away with that, with the exception of my father.
"Good business decision, Bruno. Shit on the street is we're being set up for a major fall. That's not going to happen on my watch." I flipped through my phone until I found Lorenzo's phone number, texting him the pictures of the runners.
He snorted and glanced down at the photograph of the senator. "Jesus. Is that Drummand Hargrove?"
"Yep." I grabbed the picture and shoved it back in the drawer, loathing my ridiculous behavior even more. She'd admitted her worry and fear and I'd thrown the deal back in her face.
"Fuck me. What in the hell is wrong with people? And those jerks, don't they have an idea of who you are?"
"Drummand is just a piece of shit harboring secrets. As far as the asshole, he's someone who doesn't think very highly of our muscle, my friend." Or of the power of the Borgata. I tossed the phone on the desk, exhaustion settling in. "You need to make certain you don't allow Caroline out of your sight. That's vital, especially in the next few days." When he didn't say anything, I glanced in his direction. "Do you need to say something to me?"
He shifted back and forth. "I mean no disrespect, boss, but you've been acting entirely different since Caroline came to the house."
"Meaning?"
Obviously uncomfortable, his face flushed. "Just that you're losing control. I've never seen you so angry." His eyes opened wide, waiting for some kind of violent rebuff.
"You're right, Bruno. She managed to get under my skin and that can't happen, especially right now."
"Have you been honest with her?"
"Honest?"
He shrugged. "You know, about your life? I think if she gets to know you better, she'll stop making everything so difficult. She's scared and doesn't understand our way of life. She was one protected little girl, I can tell you that much."
Protected wasn't exactly the world I'd use. I inhaled, holding my breath as I thought about my answer. "If I include her in every aspect of my business, I have to trust that she's loyal. Right now? I'm not certain that will ever happen."
"You know what they say about loyalty, boss. That's earned."
The words would forever haunt me. "You're right."
"Yeah, I know." He grinned.
His words allowed me to laugh. "Take her shopping tomorrow. Buy her whatever she wants. I don't care about the money spent but make certain she's not out of your sight for a minute. Not a dressing room. Not a bathroom."
"I think she'd prefer to have you by her side." He threw up his hands. "Just sayin', boss. I can tell she digs you."
I fingered the Glock, also furious that she'd seen a hit. I was absolutely losing my shit. "I seriously doubt that, Bruno. She's made it very clear that she loathes the ground I walk on."
"Aww, don't you know that's just the way a woman talks when she's flirting?"
I laughed again. "You are a man of many talents, Bruno. I'll give you that."
"I appreciate that. Where are you going to be tomorrow, boss?"
I held the gun into the light, checking the clip then slapping it secure. "I'm going hunting." The morning dawned brighter than it had in a solid week, the sunlight a welcome change. I was still seething from the brazen attempted entrance. News from the Francesco family had yet to provide anything useful, which of course forced me to question my contrived loyalty to Lorenzo's honesty. I hadn't remained alive for this long by trusting the wrong person and I wasn't about to start now. Angelo had been tasked to keep an ear to the streets.
I roared the Ferrari around the corner, sliding into a parking spot in front of the coffee shop. As I climbed out, I scanned the street, my desire to find one of the fucks high on my priority list. Everything seemed too quiet.
The shop was packed with college kids, the noise at a high decibel. I nodded to Marco as I walked in and instantly his smile faded. The fear in his eyes was palpable. I headed for the back, bursting in and glaring at the two employees. "Get out."
They scrambled without question, immediately dropping what they were working on. Marco came in, a pensive look on his face. "They haven't been back here. I swear to God. I would have called you like you asked."
"That's because they were pulling a job at my casino." I had the pictures ready, shoving the phone in his face. "These some of the guys who attacked you?"
He exhaled, eyeing me before taking the phone in his hand. "Yeah. All three. Motherfucking assholes. Tore up this place. I just got it back together. What happened?"
He knew better than to ask that question. "What else have you heard?"
"I put out the word, but not a single bite. Maybe they know..." Marco looked over his shoulder toward the door. "You know. The other day."
Which would lend itself to the credibility of an existing mole. "Possible. Keep business exactly the same."