Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“How fucking ironic, right?” I chuckle.
“Yeah, it’s too fucking dangerous to keep businesses there. Well, I’ve already got several ideas, but there’s an alderman I need to work with to pull the deal off.”
“So we have to play nice with the politicians?” That is never an enjoyable experience. Kissing these bastards’ asses only lasts as long as it takes to have them under our thumbs, and then we make them our bitches and they do what they need to keep their life the way it is. Unfortunately, the guard sometimes changes hands and we have to play nice with new people.
“Or we hold what we have over their heads.”
“Who am I looking into?” I ask, wanting to get it over with as soon as possible. Hopefully this fucker is as filthy as the rest or worse.
“Here’s the card. Dig into his background and find every dirty secret. We only need a little leverage, but you know there isn’t a single motherfucker that’s squeaky clean around here.” He winks and finishes off his drink. I do the same and set my glass down.
“When is this supposed to move?” I don’t want to give all my attention to this while leaving June in front of Dario so he can meet her and see what I see.
“I’d like to meet with him next week. For now, we pay attention to the matter on Halsted with Richie Coleman.”
“I already called the little weasel this morning and he didn’t bother answering his phone.” Coleman runs a monthly gambling ring out of the back of his restaurant and he’s borrowed too much from Dario without paying the loan back. This is his last shot before we collect on the payment, and it might be his final repayment.
“Then I say you pay him a visit to remind him that he has obligations,” he says, popping out of his chair with enthusiasm, but I’m not feeling that excitement.
“Yes, Dario.” I answer him a little too gruffly and realize my mistake immediately.
“Something’s different about you. Are you interested in this maid?” He raises his brow, reading me like a fucking book.
“No.” Again, I’m just screaming that I’m fucking full of shit.
“Okay. Get going.” He smirks and shakes his head. “Take Enrico with you.”
I nod and adjust my suit before walking out of the office. Heading down to the security room, I look over to Enrico and he pushes off the wall, cracking his knuckles by the door like he’s impatient today.
“The boss has work for us to do,” I say with a nod.
“Okay. Let’s get to it. What are we on?”
“Coleman needs a lesson,” I answer, filling with adrenaline suddenly. I need to get rid of some of this aggression, so I’m all for busting heads tonight.
Nodding with that sinister grin of his, he says, “Perfect. Let’s give Coleman his warning.”
“Sounds good to me.” Maybe this will get my mind off June and her instant attraction to my best friend. Smirking, I follow Enrico out to the vehicle. “I’ll drive to the restaurant while you ride in the back.” Enrico will be hidden from view so Coleman will believe I’m alone. With only one of us, he’ll be less likely to run.
I turn on the engine just as Dario steps outside. He walks up to us and then slides in beside me onto the passenger seat.
“I’ll be joining you tonight.” He reads my expression, which I’m not quick to hide. “You don’t approve?”
“No, of course not, but it’s not dark yet. We’ll be noticed, and you’ll be seen.” If Coleman sees Dario, he’ll run.
“Don’t worry about me.” He smirks, turning forward in the front passenger seat as we drive. Since it’s after rush hour, the ride is shorter than normal. We have a second car that lingers in the back should we need reinforcements, which is highly unlikely. The one thing about Coleman is that he’s on the verge of making enemies everywhere.
We pull up to the diner and it’s not as busy, which works in our favor, and we spot the prick’s car. Dario calls Luca, the driver behind us, and says, “Block his car in.”
“Let’s have a seat and enjoy a cup of coffee,” Dario says, stepping out of the vehicle.
We all follow behind, keeping an eye on our surroundings just in case the fucker made a deal with one of our enemies. The door chimes, getting the attention of several customers and the two servers at the counter. We take a table at the back of the diner and wait to be served. One of the women looks extremely familiar, but I’m not sure where I’ve seen her before. Her hair is light brown, but I don’t get to see her face again because she gets called by another customer, so the other waitress grabs our table.