Page 51 of Wicked Roses
Saturday midafternoon, everybody’s in the streets doing something. Not only does the wind rush our ears, but the sounds of a living, breathing city do too. Everything from the wail of ambulances and the music blasting from apartment windows to construction workers drilling into the ground with their jackhammers (probably employed by Lucius). It all becomes one big, buzzing noise as we speed by on my bike.
I weave us through traffic only for Delphine to squeeze herself even more into me. If anybody around knew the future district attorney was on the back of the bike of a mafiacapo, it’d be front page news. A real big scandal that’d probably ruin both of us.
That’s the thing about Delphine and I. The two of us together has always been wrong in every definition of the word.
It’s no surprise it only makes me want her more.
I turn down Eighth, using a shortcut that’ll take us to the shooting range owned by an associate of the Mancino family, when I slow down. Me taking this shortcut also serves as a quick check in on the club.
Nirvana’s on the corner of the next street, the biggest nightclub in the city. Two floors, spanning half a block, with a rooftop lounge as a bonus. At night, the red and gold lights attract partiers like vultures to a carcass. They just can’t help themselves.
During daylight hours, the club’s usually empty. Me and my guys use these hours to iron out any business details of the operations we’re running. Nobody other than a handful of regulars and associates drop by.
So,whyis Lucius’s car parked outside?
I brake, tension screwing shut my jaw. Delphine shifts behind me as if she’s about to question what’s going on. I set the kickstand with my boot and then get off the bike.
“Stay here,” I say, pulling off my helmet.
“Salvatore...”
I’m walking toward the club doors with my face a cold mask, but my eyes tell the real story—they’re narrowed, hostility burning in them.
Myfucking club.
Unannounced.
We agreed this was my territory and my territory alone. That was part of the deal when we negotiated the terms.
I shove open the doors and barge inside, ready to raise hell in my own club. My crew knew to wait on me, because I don’t make it more than a couple steps in before two of my main soldiers, Omar and Fabio, are at my side.
“Psycho, we couldn’t stop him,” Omar says. “He came in with a whole crew of guys and went upstairs.”
Fabio wipes sweat from his cueball head as he pauses and then says, “He’s in your office.”
“I want him to get the fuck out. I’ll make him if I have to. Keep an eye on Delphine outside.”
They both stop at the foot of the stairs as I head up. The pussies practically gulp at my words.
Everybody’s terrified of Lucius.
Except me.
I don’t give a fuck if he is the Don. He won’t be disrespecting me. We had a deal and he’s gone back on it—if he keeps it up, I’ll unleash his worst nightmare. He’ll kill me for it, but it’ll be worth it. Just to know I got to humiliate him before I died.
Four of his men stand guard outside the doors tomyoffice. They mean mug me, eying me like they’re not disposable soldiers and I’m not acapowho outranks them. I bet Lucius gave them full permission to be disrespectful dicks. Their mistake if they want to test me.
“Get the fuck out of my way,” I say to the one blocking the door. “I’m only telling you once. Then body parts are coming off. Don’t believe me? Try me.”
He returns my glare for half a second before he folds. He steps aside and lets me through.
I enter to Lucius treating my office like his kingly lair. He’s got his sausage legs kicked up on my desk, drinking my alcohol, and smoking one of my cigars. His men fill the room, obedient lapdogs posted in every corner. The door swings shut behind me.
Me against the Don and a whole crew of his guys.
It makes no difference to me. We could be alone, or there could be a hundred guys here. Lucius isn’t going to win this battle. As much as he’d deny it, we both know I have the upper hand. He hasn’t been bowing down to my demands for nothing.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, stopping in the middle of the room.