me anxiously. “Out in the open?” he asks.
“Yeah, quick and easy. Let me show you how it’s done,” I reply.
I step out into the street and walk quickly, keeping my head turned to the right. The only camera is on the side of the street where we parked. But it’s angled so they shouldn’t get shit. Better safe than sorry though. I already messaged Tony about it. I’m sure the owners won’t have any problems erasing the feed tonight. Not when the orders are coming from the Valettis, and their business has been going steady on the loan we gave them.
That’s one good thing about the familia. We want this town running like a well-oiled machine. And it does.
“Louie.” I let a grin slip into place as he kicks off the wall and walks toward us like we’re his pals. Like he didn’t steal from us.
“Anthony, Tommy, what’s up guys?” His words are slightly slurred and it pisses me off. I find when they’re drunk they’re more likely to piss themselves. More than that, they scream louder, sooner. Tonight that can’t happen. “You here for a drink?” he asks.
“Nah,” Tommy says and he starts to say something else, but I cut him off. I want him to watch this time, so he can see how it’s done and be able to do this shit himself next time.
“Louie, we gotta talk.” I say the words firmly and hold his eyes. The fucker holds his breath and I know he’s scared shitless. I need him scared, but more than scared, I want him willing to talk and wanting to make me happy. I want him to think I need him.
I lean forward and lower my voice so it seems like I’m letting him in on intel. “There’s someone,” I start talking then look to my left as a group of young women dressed in sequined, glittery dresses that ride up their asses pass behind us. The street’s not packed, but it’s busy enough to want to get out of the open so we can have some privacy. I make it a point to look at the entrance to the alley and nod my head. “Let’s go down there for a sec.”
He starts to put his cigarette down with a look of dread on his face. But I don’t want that. I don’t want him thinking anything’s wrong.
“No need, I don’t mind the smoke,” I tell him as I start walking ahead of him. “You first, Tommy.” I need my brother to catch on to the fact that you don’t intimidate targets in public. Not till you have them where you want them. Tommy walks ahead of me with a nod. My brother’s smart, even if he does do dumb shit sometimes. He’s good at reading people. My back’s to Louie. It’s a sign that he’s not a threat to me. The two of us walk quickly while Louie stays behind for a moment. I keep walking. I know I don’t have to tell him twice.
It only takes a minute for Louie to follow us down the alley. It’s a few feet wide and blocked off at the back entrance by a dumpster and a chain-link fence. That’s not good for the clean-up crew. They’re going to have a hell of a time getting the body out without anyone seeing, but that shit’s not for me to worry about. Tommy stops about halfway down the alley and leans against the wall. I put my hands in my pockets and face the entrance, waiting for Louie to catch up. He’s walking slow, but he sure as fuck isn’t stumbling around anymore. Having the feeling you’re about to get caught by the mafia for stealing from them is a surefire way to sober the fuck up.
“What’s going on?” He tries to keep his voice from wavering, but he’s shit at it. To be fair though, I’ve tortured a lot of men. And almost all of them are scared at first, even the ones that didn’t have shit to tell because they were genuinely innocent. Poor fucks. But this prick is dripping with sweat and his shifty eyes are looking all around us for some hidden door that will lead him to safety. There’s no safety here though. Just me, my knife, and Tommy's gun.
I want Tommy to stay out of this one. There’s no need for him to get involved beyond keeping this fucker here.
“Listen, Louie. There are some things I need to know before