Dark Queen - Ker Dukey Page 0,35
I don’t want more unresolved issues catching me off guard—especially with my own club opening back up Saturday for the first time since Serena’s death.
“I’ll cut straight to the point,” I tell them with a tight smile, attempting to keep my voice calm to disguise my annoyance for even being here.
I should have let Marcello deal with this without me.
“The fires were a misunderstanding. I’m here to extend an olive branch.”
The men look between themselves before both sets of brown eyes land on me, the eldest of the two speaking first.
“You will cover the damage, time lost, salaries, etcetera. As for your brother…” he smirks, puffing on a cigar, the smoke billowing between us, “He will come and apologize face to face.”
There’s a dangerous edge to his tone. I fight the urge not to crack the bottle of bottom shelf liquor they put out and slit both their throats with it.
I don’t think they realize he’s gambling with their lives.
I was willing to admit fault and pay for the damages, but on my terms. I won’t be disrespected and talked down to by these nobodies.
Marcello is tense beside me, his hands fisted on his knees.
“I think you misunderstand our positions,” I tell them in a mocking tone. “I’m not here as your bitch. I was willing to pay for damages, but don’t mistake my gesture of goodwill for weakness.” I stand, straightening the lapels of my jacket. My feet sticking to their disgusting floor. “And don’t ever give me orders.”
I lift my chin to Marcello. “We’re done here.”
“We’ll be seeing you, Mr. Leto,” the youngest chuckles to my retreating form.
“You better hope not,” I call over my shoulder.
Once back in my town car, Thomas hands me an antibacterial wipe before closing my door. That place could give you an STD just by entering.
Marcello punches the leather seat beside him. “Who do those motherfuckers think they are? This is all Antonio’s doing,” he fumes. “What do you want to do?”
Looking back to the club my rage tells me to go in there and gut them both but I’m not Antonio, I need to act using my head.
“Nothing.”
My phone vibrates against my thigh, and I dig it out of my pocket. “We tell them to fuck off after all,” I add before answering the call.
“Detective?”
“Someone called in a complaint to the precinct against you today,” his gruff voice drones.
There are snakes everywhere as of late. “Is that so?”
“A Mr. Angelo? He’s in the hospital with a broken nose and jaw, said you attacked him at Vino’s.” A grin tilts my lips as I watch Marcello furiously type out a message, no doubt to Antonio.
Maybe this temper thing runs in the family.
“If his jaw is broken, how did he make the call?” I inquire, running my hand through my hair.
I’d hoped the asshole would come after me via the money route. Men like him usually sue, but if it’s the police he wants to involve, that’s bad news for him.
“It was his wife, a Bridget Angelo. The precinct will be sending someone over to their house tomorrow morning. He should be released tonight. I’ll forward the address,” He informs me.
That man won’t be alive by morning to say anything to the police.
“Any update on Serena’s killer?” I ask while I have him on the line.
“Nothing yet.” He blows down the receiver, no doubt sucking on a cigarette.
“Did you know of her ex-boyfriend, Eddie?” My gaze shifts to the window. Why didn’t I know about this boyfriend?
“We questioned him and just released him today, actually. I’m following up on his alibi now.”
My ears prick, hairs raising on my arm. I want this man. If it was him who killed her, I didn’t want the NYPD getting him. He’s mine. “Where did you pick him up?”
Silence.
“Tell me,” I instruct, my tone lethal.
“He’s a permanent resident of a dive bar downtown.”
“What bar?” I reply with a cold retort.
A sigh, then, “Wild Rover.”
The line goes dead, and my adrenaline spikes. “Change of plans. Turn the car around,” I call out to Thomas.
“Are we going back to Blaydon’s?” Marcello questions, opening his jacket to palm his gun.
“No.” I jerk my chin to his ankle where he keeps his blade. “I know where Eddie is.” I loosen my tie. “Have the boys prepare the factory and call in the dentist.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Alyssa
I wish he would either fire me or fuck me. Just put me out of my misery. This back and forth is becoming exhausting.
He wasn’t something I planned for