Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
“Is it me, or does it feel like change is coming?”
Even as I ask the question, there’s something in the air telling me the answer. As if for the first time since I was a young boy, the gods have tuned in to listen to my words and feelings. My brothers and I haven’t just felt the absence of our mother and father. They have all gone silent on us.
“I’m no Kendrick or Reilly, but I feel it. Something’s brewing.”
I shrug. “Maybe we’re just getting anxious for the bond to run out. I think we’re all at the end of our rope with Ricci.”
“I know I’m ready to be done with them, you feel me?”
“Oh, I feel you, brother. He has a lot of fucking nerve asking us to do shit for another family as if he doesn’t know the rules.”
“He knows the fucking rules. If it’s not in direct connection or a direct benefit. It’s our call and we can deny it.
“He knows how much we hate the drug and sex trafficking business, so he knew we would say no. How much you want to bet his pussy ass tries to go around us?”
“You know I don’t like to lose, brother. I wouldn’t take that bet for free,” I say then climb on and start my bike.
“Let’s go,” I say through our mind link.
Billy
This is not my damn day. Traffic was a beast and added at least another hour to my travel time. I didn’t even have time to eat.
My stomach growls as I walk to Cap’s office. I can tell by the vibe in the precinct that Captain Gates is on one today. That man can sour everyone’s mood by breathing.
To be honest, it could be worse. Our cap can be a dick, but I’ve heard stories of real tyrants who are a trip to work under. Gates will get in your ass, but he’s a decent guy when he wants to be.
I knock on his door and wait for him to call out. “Yeah,” he rumbles.
I pop my head in. “You wanted to see me?”
“Come on in.”
That doesn’t sound too good. I take a deep breath and step in to take a seat. I already have a feeling I know what this is about.
“Salvado, can you explain to me why I’m getting calls about you sticking your nose places I’ve told you to stay away from? Tell me you’re not using city time to investigate innocent people when you have plenty of cold cases and cases fresh off the streets that need your attention. Cases like that young couple who went missing two days ago or that homicide from the other night,” Captain Gates bites out.
He’s right. I do have those two cases on my desk. While I’m still digging into the homicide, the missing couple is bullshit. I’m not wasting my time with those two. I could see from the moment I stepped on the scene at the apartment of those two it was a game they were playing with the friend who made the call.
“Cap, with all due respect. That couple was wrapped up in a love triangle. The friend who made the report is just the last to find out the other two decided to go it solo. Or should I say as a duo.
“The blood.” I make air quotes with my fingers. “Was pig’s blood and I tracked the two to a little house upstate. Both breathing and looking like they’re living their best lives.”
He purses his lips at me. “Fine, and the homicide?”
“I’m circling back to the restaurant owner. He failed to mention he was dating our vic. Our pregnant vic, who I’m sure was carrying his baby. Which will be easily proven with a DNA test. If he didn’t do it, it was the wife. I’ll be able to nail the truth down as soon as I log in for the evening, Cap,” I say with a bright smile.
I do my fucking job. I have never allowed my investigation into Ricci to deter me from getting my job done. I don’t know who’s trying to blow the whistle on me, but they can suck it.
Gates sits back in his seat. “Good job, just stay the fuck away from Ricci. Whatever you’re up to, can it.”
“What makes you so sure he’s clean?” I say, getting pissed.
“It’s above my pay grade, which means it’s way above yours. Candido and Pauly Ricci are off-limits. Stay away from them. That means their properties and any connected to them—that includes the docks and warehouses surrounding theirs.
“Drop it, Salvado, or I’ll be forced to suspend you. Since I’m already short-staffed and you’re one of the best I have on the squad, I’d appreciate it if you could just listen for once.”
Gotcha. So the Iron Brothers are connected somehow. I know it.