Quiet Wealth by J.L. Drake

I was sick of this mess, sick that my own people were being used. Their lack of loyalty hurt, and hurt deeply, but there had to be a reason. These people had been with me for a long time. I hurried into the warehouse that was heavily protected by my men.

The smell of dirt, cement, and blood rushed to my senses, alerting me I was close.

“All but one won’t talk.” Niccola stepped out of my way as I raised the knife and slashed one man’s neck, clipping his artery. He was new and had already sidestepped on some of his duties, so he was on his way out anyway. Blood sprayed, and I felt some of it splash my face as I watched him drain white. I felt no empathy for him whatsoever.

The others who watched were like family, so I when I turned my attention to them and dabbed my face with my handkerchief, I hoped they’d remember where their loyalty lay.

“Are you sure you want to keep your silence?” I shrugged.

“Please, sir,” the oldest spoke up, “we’ll talk.”

“Good.” I glanced at Niccola and flicked my wrist. “Separate and question them.”

“Yes, boss. The other one is in there.” He pointed down the hallway, and I glared at the others, daring them to lie before I left with a hiss.

My shadow loomed over my shoulder and followed me, flickering in and out with the gaps in the lighting. It was as if my soul was unable to make a full connection when I was here. It allowed me to do my job without a conscience. I didn’t always handle the kills myself, but with how far out of hand all this was getting, I wanted to use my presence as a tool to get them to speak up. These men were my family, their families were my families, and hurting them wasn’t something I wanted to do but had to do.

I nodded at Donatello as I stepped inside the round room. No corners to cower in, no shadows to hide within, just a place that left nowhere to go. Before we got started, I needed to make my point. No matter how you looked at it, he had betrayed me and the family. I stepped forward and rammed my fist hard into his stomach, then I stepped back and waited for him to catch his breath.

“You want to talk, Antonio?” I took my time and fixed my tie, drawing his eyes to my pristine attire. It was a necessary reminder as to who he was dealing with.

“I-I,” he stumbled, “I need you to promise my family won’t be harmed.”

“You should know I have no interest in hurting your family.” I had never and would never hurt women and children. That was a line my father and I stood firm on.

“When the man in white asks you to do something, you have to do it.” He tried to stand, but his knees nearly gave out, and he used the wall for support.

“Who is this man, and why do you feel this way?”

“I don’t know who he is, but when my brother said no to him, they took my niece, and she hasn’t been seen since.” He stiffened when I stepped closer. “He doesn’t just hurt us. He hurts our babies.”

“They have Val?” It was the first time I’d heard of this. “Why didn’t you come to me?”

“I wanted to. I was so afraid for her, but when I tried to protest for her life, he did this.” He pulled up his pant legs and showed me his battered kneecaps.

“Antonio,” I sighed and rubbed my tired eyes. “Bucket and water,” I ordered Donatello, and he rushed to retrieve the items, returning a moment later. He turned the bucket upside down and handed me the jug of water.

“Sit,” I ordered Antonio, who wasted no time easing his battered body to sit. I handed him a plastic cup and watched him down the water. He needed to see that I wasn’t a monster like the man in white. He needed to be reminded of the protection I offered. He had been honest with me and had provided information, and in turn, that deemed a reward.

“Thank you,” he huffed in relief. “I’m sorry, sir.” Tears pooled in his eyes, and I could see his sincerity. “The dockyard is not what it used to be. The men are scared to go to work there because of him.”

“You have no idea who this man is? What does he look like? Tell me everything you know. How is he getting past all our men?”

“He’s tall, wears a white suit, white tie, white everything. Like he’s impersonating an angel, but he’s anything but.” He squinted, and his mouth turned down as he took a minute to think. “You never know when he will appear. His men leave messages on our windshields and then follow us until we are off your territory. They wait until we stop at a stoplight or something and then pull up on their motorbikes and force us to follow them to a location where he will order us to do things for him.”

Stefano.

“What location?”

“It’s always a different place.”

That was smart. It made it harder for us to track him.

“What did he want you to do?”

“I was supposed to deliver something to the market.” He nodded to Donatello, who held out a stained envelope. “I didn’t look at it. I didn’t ask any questions, I just took it, but before I could drop it off at the entrance of the market, I was picked up and brought here.”

I nodded once and tucked the envelope into my jacket pocket.

“I know, what I did was wrong.” He shifted with a grunt, clearly hurting from his injuries. “But I couldn’t risk Val’s life. She is so smart and beautiful and so young. She’s going places.” His tears flowed, and his hands shook as he wiped them away.

“Antonio.” I leaned back and tried to remember that fear sat in everyone in different ways. I would drill a stack into Stefano’s heart, my hatred of him was so strong, while Antonio was an old man trying to do his job and live a life with little to no violence. “I’ll get my guys to look into Val, and in the meantime, Niccola will take you to the hospital and get your knees checked over.”

“You’re such a good man, Mr. Elio.” His mouth dropped open when he realized he had used my first name. I cleared my throat and waited a beat then let it slide. It was a slip of the tongue, and he had been with the family since I could walk.

“Is there anything else you can tell me about him?”

“He did ask about someone.” His hands shook on his lap, and I knew I wasn’t going to like this.

“And?”

“He wanted to know where Miss Sienna was living.”

“Sienna?” I played dumb and felt a layer of sweat break out along my neck. How did he know her name?

“Yes, the young lady with Mariano.”

“And what did you say?”

“I said that she was Mariano’s girlfriend. He wanted to know if they were in a serious relationship.”

“And?”

“I really wouldn’t know.” He shook his head. “I’ve only seen her once with him and twice with you. She seems very nice, but I wasn’t about to offer all that to him.” He groaned, holding his knees. “I’ve learned less is more.”

“Good. Any idea why he was asking about her?”

“I think he likes her. He has a woman by his side sometimes, but she’s got nothing on Mariano’s girlfriend.”

My mouth went dry with his answer.

“All right.” I motioned for Donatello to help him to his feet. “One last thing.” I pivoted to look at him. “Have you mentioned this to Mariano or anyone else?”

“I tried,” he shrugged, “but he doesn’t listen very well to people like me.”

“Antonio,” I thought for a moment, “this is your one and only pass with me. If I ever find out you went behind my back, no matter what the reason…”

“You have my word.”

I turned on my heel and left with Niccola hard on my heels. “Well?” I demanded.

He spent the next ten minutes filling me in on the other two men’s stories. They were all the same, which meant we really had a problem.

“All right.” I turned my head away from the others. “Get the body cleaned up, and make sure that you personally escort Antonio to the hospital. I need a minute to think.”

“Sure, boss.”

With that, I left for home.

Three hours in the ring with my best trainer and fifty laps in the pool helped subside the urge to hurt my best friend for dragging Sienna into this nightmare. I dried my hair with my hands as I made my way to the refrigerator for some water. My body was still hot from the workout, and my jeans hung low on my bare hips, which was a blessing as the cool air from the refrigerator swirled around my stomach. I eyed the envelope on the counter, still unsure my temper could take it if there was something about Sienna in it. Instead, I slipped it into my back pocket for later.

The doorbell rang, and I checked the time. I knew it was Francesco here to give me my daily briefing. I hit the buzzer, but when he didn’t come in, I headed for the door on the chance he had someone with him who I might have to take care of first. It seemed to be that kind of week.

“Fran—” I paused when I saw Sienna standing there. “Hey.”

“Hi.” She flipped her hair out of her face as her gaze swiped down my body. “Um, maybe I should have called.”

“No,” I stepped back, “come in.”

“Are you sure I’m not interrupting anything?”

“Come on.” I waved for her to enter.

She looked around, no doubt looking for a female.

“I won’t stay long.” She fidgeted with her hands. “I, ah, just wanted you to know that I meant every word I said, but I don’t want bad blood between us.”

“Okay.”

“Okay,” she repeated and headed for the door.

“That’s it?”

“Yeah.” She reached for the handle, but I pressed my hand against it to keep it shut.

“You’re telling me,” I gently turned her around, pushed her back into the door, and held her chin with one hand, “that you came all the way down here just to tell me you don’t want bad blood between us?”

“Yes.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

“Elio.”

I loved how my name sounded as it passed her lips. My entire body coiled, and my muscles became steel.

“Tell me you don’t feel something for me, Sienna, and I will step back and let you leave.”

“I…” she started but stopped herself. She looked panicked and trapped. “I just…” She closed her eyes as I bent down and ran my lips along her temple, breathing in her scent.

“Tell me.” I licked her earlobe and gave it a nibble. Moving my hand to her side, I slid it down the fabric of her dress and around to her bare thigh. “Tell me you hate me.”

“I do,” she whispered as I relished her scent.

“Tell me,” I pressed my lips to her slender neck and slowly inched down to her collarbone, “why you still wear my pendant.”

“Because.” Her hands flew to my sides as she lost her footing, and I took the opportunity to push my knee between her legs, holding her in place.

“Because?” I coached her, loving the fact that I had my lips on her sexy skin and the heat of her arousal warmed my thigh.

I leaned back when she wouldn’t speak and looked into her deep, dark eyes that flipped between a deep blue to a dark navy.

I gently dragged the pad of my thumb along her lower lip. Leaning down, hovering my lips above hers, waiting for her to initiate the rest. I saw a million things run through her expression, but she wasn’t making a move to leave.

“Why are you still wearing my pendant?” I repeated and made sure my lips touched her once so she could feel the spark.

She closed her eyes again as I broke down more barriers between us. “It’s the only thing I have that proves you were real.”

“Sienna,” I whispered so she’d look at me, “kiss me so you know I’m real.”

“I want to,” she confessed, and I moved in closer, only to have her stop me with a hand on my chest. Her fingers flexed over my bare skin as she caught her breath. “But I can’t.”

“Because of Mariano?” Were they dating?

“He did bring me here, but—”

“Mariano doesn’t do relationships, Sienna. I think last night can be testimony for that.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.” She leaned in and kissed my cheek, lingering there for a moment as her breath brushed underneath my ear. “He brought me here, and out of respect for him and until I can understand myself, I need you at arm’s length.”

I stepped back, running a hand through my damp hair, frustrated that although so much time had passed, whenever I was near her it felt like no time had passed at all. That she was still mine, to love and touch.

“He’s not right for you.”

She shook her head then quickly glanced back with an angry glint. “Then, who is?”

“Me!” I nearly yelled.

“You had your chance.” She shrugged sadly.

“Give me another.” I took her hands in mine and kissed her fingers.

“How can I trust that you won’t leave again?”

I switched gears. “Sienna, I’m nervous what he might expose you to.”

Her face slipped, but she recovered quickly, and something dark fell over us.

“Has he?” I licked my dry mouth. “Exposed you to something?”

“I should get back.”

I let her go, more because I knew my temper might scare her away.

“Elio,” Francesco made me whirl around as he approached from the back door, “I think we should talk.”

“Yeah, okay.” I reached for my shirt, and we both headed to my office.

“I never thought we’d see her again, let alone here.” He put his files on the desk so he could settle in for our daily meeting. Francesco was our eyes and ears, and over the years he had been at my father’s side, even before he met my mother. He was one of the best consiglieres I had ever known. He had also proved to be excellent at hunting down people for us.

“Kind of like seeing a ghost.” I sighed, remembering how true her statement was about whether we were real or not, because many times the photo was all that kept things real to me. A thought popped into my head, and I frowned.

“What is it, Elio?”

“I hate that she’s searching for someone who clearly doesn’t want to be found.” I was referring to her mother. “Do you think she’s still out there?”

He chewed the inside of his cheek as he thought. “Sienna put herself out there with that article. If her mother is out there and wants to be a part of her daughter’s life, she’ll show up. If not…” He gave a sad shrug. “Sometimes things are better left in the dark.”

“Yeah.” I glanced outside and shook the feeling away. “What do you have for me?”

“Well,” he opened his leather-bound notebook, “Stefano and his two cousins are staying at the La Tegolaia villa. They checked in three days ago and apparently packed enough to presume they are staying for a while.”

I had learned that Stefano had been appointed the head seat in the Coppola syndicate in Rome when his father got sick. His father had stepped in as head boss for his brother, who had vanished years ago. There had been many theories on what might have happened to Teo Coppola, but nothing concrete. The Coppola family had been trying to rule the north for decades now, and when we made the quick move from Sicily to Florence and joined forces with my uncle’s family, we became extremely powerful and untouchable. Up to now, Stefano had been very quiet, but his power suddenly seemed to go to his head, and he had become more and more aggressive. He wasn’t hiding the fact he’d been encroaching on our territory.

“I have a tail on them and will report any findings.”

I leaned forward and removed the envelope, handing it to him filling him in on what happened.

“And you haven’t opened it?” He seemed to still be reeling from what I’d shared. “May I?” I nodded and watched him open it and scan the paper.

“It’s just numbers.” He handed it back, and I let go of the breath I was holding. Rows and rows of numbers lined the page, each seven digits long. “A tracking log maybe?” He shrugged.

“Whatever it is, it must have been important enough to use one of my men to deliver it.”

“Or maybe he was testing him?”

“Perhaps.” I rubbed my head, trying to make sense of it all. “If he is threatening our people to force them to do things,” I held up the numbered sheet, “or testing them, then we need to get Niccola to do some more digging.” I flicked a pen through my fingers.

“You don’t think that’s risky?”

“Niccola is always on the move, and he’s the only one who has spent more time out of country than in. Since he’s been back and has grown out his hair, he’s barely recognizable.”

“True.” He scribbled in his notebook. “So, if Stefano is sniffing around our men to do his grunt work, then why the hell is he hanging around the dock? Your men are everywhere, and normally that place is under intense surveillance.”

“I have no clue, but I don’t like that he has eyes on Sienna.”

“Let them continue to believe she’s with Mariano.”

“Yeah.”

“In the meantime, I’ll get more trusted eyes on the dockyard.”

I leaned back in my chair and stared out the window, studying the windy road.

“As one of your oldest friends, Elio,” I heard the pages of his notebook close, “may I offer you a bit of advice?”

“I’m listening.”

“Sienna is old fashioned. It’s part of her appeal. Trust and loyalty are as huge in her eyes as they are for us. She’s hurting but hasn’t run yet. Maybe hit the reset button and try a different tactic with her. Show her that you’re still you, even after all these years.”

“And what about when she discovers what we actually are?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, “but what I do know is that she suspects something more is going on. She’s smart and is figuring it out quickly on her own. You either get ahead of it and soften the blow, or she runs.”

“True.” I sighed, trying to get my head on right.

“Would you like to see the numbers from last month?”

“I would.” I turned back around and spent the next two hours combing through a sea of numbers, all the while running possibilities of what the other numbers meant.