Chapter 22 Does He Know
"Just. You know." She glanced toward Marco, then back to Cedric. "They're the type who like to test boundaries. See what they can get away with. But with you..." She shrugged. "Probably best to just be professional. Super professional."
"Got it. Thanks for the warning."
Natasha's smile turned genuine. "You're alright, new guy. Even if you are sleeping with the scariest motherfucker in New York."
She walked away before Cedric could correct her~not that there was anything to correct. She wasn't wrong.
Table twelve was occupied by three men in their thirties, all of them radiating the kind of casual arrogance that came from never being told no. They looked up when Cedric approached, their conversation dying mid-sentence.
"Gentlemen," Cedric said smoothly. "I understand you requested my service?"
The one in the middle~dark hair, expensive watch, eyes that calculated everything~gestured to the empty seat beside him. "Join us for a drink."
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm working."
"Falcone won't mind." The man's smile was testing, probing. "We're old friends. I'm Luca. Luca Marino."
Marino. Cedric recognized the name from one of the files Marcus had shown him. Underboss in a rival family, supposedly in talks with falcone about territory sharing in Queens.
This was a test. Had to be.
"It's generous of you to offer, Mr. Marino, but I'm sure Mr. Falcone would prefer I focus on doing my job well." Cedric kept his voice light, his smile professional. "What can I get for you and your associates?"
Luca's eyes gleamed with something that might have been respect or might have been annoyance. "Whiskey. The Macallan 25."
"Excellent choice. I'll have that right out."
Cedric retreated to the bar, acutely aware of three sets of eyes following his movement. Marco had shifted position, no longer trailing behind but standing at the edge of the seating area with his arms crossed and his attention fixed on table twelve.
"They're fucking with you," the bartender muttered as he poured the whiskey~three glasses, neat. "Testing to see if the boss's new toy knows his place."
"I'm not a toy," Cedric said automatically.
The bartender~Carlos, his name tag read~just raised an eyebrow. "Sure, man. Whatever you say."
When Cedric returned with the drinks, Luca was on his phone, his expression dark. He looked up as Cedric set the glasses down, and something in his face had changed.
"Tell me something, Cedric," Luca said, swirling his whiskey. "Does falcone know you're meeting with the police on Wednesday?"
Cedric's blood turned to ice.
"I don't know what you're talking about." The lie came automatically, his face carefully blank even as his heart tried to hammer out of his chest.
"No?" Luca's smile was all teeth. "Funny. I have it on good authority that you've been in regular contact with Detective Marcus Chen. Multiple phone calls. Text messages. A scheduled meeting at a coffee shop on 5th Avenue at ten in the morning."
Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.
"I think you have your information wrong," Cedric said, keeping his voice steady through sheer force of will. "But I'll be sure to mention your concern to Mr. Falcone. I'm sure he'll appreciate your... vigilance."
He turned to leave, but Luca's voice stopped him.
"You should know, Cedric. In our world, loyalty is everything. And the punishment for betrayal..." He took a slow sip of whiskey. "Well. Let's just say it's permanent."
Cedric forced himself to nod politely, professionally, like his entire world wasn't currently imploding. Then he walked away at exactly the right pace~not too fast, not too slow~and made it to the staff hallway before his knees tried to give out.
Marco was there immediately, one hand on Cedric's elbow, steadying him.
"Bathroom," Cedric managed. "I need…."
"This way."
Marco led him to a private bathroom, the kind reserved for VIPs, and stood guard outside while Cedric locked himself in and tried not to throw up.
How did they know? How the fuck did they know about Marcus?
His phone. They had to be tracking his phone. Or Marcus's phone. Or both.
Which meant falcone knows about the meeting..
Had to know.
Cedric's hands shook as he turned on the cold water, splashing his face, trying to get his racing thoughts under control. Think. He needed to think.
If falcone knew about the meeting, why hadn't he said anything?
Unless.
Unless falcone was letting him.
The same way a cat lets a mouse run before pouncing.
The bathroom door rattled. "Mr. Santos. Mr. Falcone is on the line. He wants to speak with you."
Of course he did.
Cedric dried his face with shaking hands and opened the door. Marco was holding out a phone~not Cedric's phone, a burner probably~with an expression that was almost sympathetic.
"He's waiting," Marco said quietly.
Cedric took the phone. Put it to his ear. "Hello?"
"Are you alright?" Falcone's voice was calm, controlled, giving nothing away.
"I'm fine."
"Luca Marino is an asshole who enjoys making people uncomfortable. Don't take anything he says seriously."
"So it's not true? About Marcus?"
The pause was infinitesimal. Barely there. But Cedric heard it.
"We'll discuss it when you get home," falcone said. "Finish your shift. Marco will bring you back when you're done."
"Falcone…."
"Finish your shift, Cedric." Still calm. Still controlled. But there was steel underneath now. "We'll talk tonight."
The line went dead.
Cedric handed the phone back to Marco, his stomach churning. "How much longer on my shift?"
"Three hours."
Three hours of smiling and serving drinks and pretending everything was fine while knowing that when he got back to the mansion, he'd have to face whatever came next.
Three hours to figure out what the hell he was going to say.
The rest of the shift passed in a blur. Cedric moved through the motions automatically~pouring drinks, taking orders, maintaining his professional mask even as his mind spun in circles.
Luca and his associates left around midnight, but not before Luca caught Cedric's eye one more time and smiled that knowing, predatory smile.
Message delivered.
By 1am, the third floor was starting to clear out. Alessandro dismissed Cedric at 1:15, which was early, which meant falcone had called ahead.
Which meant falcone was waiting.
The drive back to the mansion was silent. Marco didn't try to make small talk, and Cedric was grateful. He needed the quiet to prepare himself for whatever was coming.