Novel Straight 115

115 

“What a relief. And Moroni? I’ve heard he’s gone underground.“. 

“Yes.” I grit my teeth as we walk side by side. The sound of the man’s name is like a match dropped in a pool of gasoline, turning my gut into a raging inferno only vengeance can tame. “I heard the same. Why do I feel like that’s part of the reason you’re here?” 

To his credit, he laughs, giving me a sheepish expression. Am I that transparent? Really, I thought I was better than that. I need to up my face game.” 

I know better than to think he’ll accept, but I offer him a drink once we reach my office. He refuses, unbuttoning his jacket before taking a seat. It’s a little early for me, too, so I grab a bottle of water and take my usual seat. 

“Where’s your guy?” he asks, eyes darting around the room. “I thought he came with the room. Part of the furniture or something.” 

And he’d rip your head off if you dared say that in his presence.Clearly, we’ve begun to drop the formalities. “He’ll join us shortly.” 

“Ahhh! Okay, well, as I was saying, yes, Moroni is a big part of why I wanted to talk to you. I’m as committed as ever to helping you take that bastard down. It was one thing when he wanted to screw with your business, but he changed the stakes by attacking your loved ones. He deserves to suffer for that.” 

“I’m sure you understand without being told that I agree. I have every intention of finding him and ending his miserable life as soon as possible. If you could offer assistance, I would be more than grateful, but I want you to know that I want to be the one to kill him. He needs to die at my hands and no one else’s.” 

Roger chooses that precise moment to enter the room, offering Sebastian a short nod. “We’ve been discussing our common enemy,” I explain. 

“And how I’m willing to commit resources to helping you find him–and end him.” Sebastian glances from me to Roger and back again. “In exchange for a slice of the Moroni pie.” 

At least he’s straightforward. I’m tired of this performative dance, the false joviality. “Exactly how big a slice?” “Not so big it would choke me, yet big enough that it makes it worth my while.” 

Roger perches himself on the corner of my desk, facing Sebastian. “And exactly what do you plan to contribute here?” 

“For one thing, I have men on the inside. Men who are close to Moroni’s closest associates. They know the ins and outs of his private life and how to get to him. I also may be able to pick up some intel on any properties Moroni owns off the books. Where he could be hiding his son while he recuperates, for instance.” 

This time, his smile isn’t sheepish but rather approving. “Word is, he was stabbed with something a lot bigger than a fork this time.” 

If only she had planted that knife in his heart, the prick.“Shit, word does get around, doesn’t it?” 

“No. It doesn’t.” His eyes flash while a wolfish smile plays at the corners of his mouth. “Like I said. I have people who know people, and if I know your girl stabbed that fucker in the gut, and that, that kind of information doesn’t hit the streets, what else do you think I can discover?” 

Dammit. I hate to admit it, but I’m intrigued. The problem now is getting Roger to believe he’s as good a claims. 

“Give me a list of the businesses you want, and we’ll come to an agreement. I’m willing to be generous,” I add. 

1/3 

115 

+15 BONUS 

Roger’s shoulders jump, but he otherwise conceals his reaction. I have no doubt he’ll chew me out later, but I’ll be damned if I give a shit. I don’t need the extra income and would gladly burn everything Moroni owns to the ground so long as he was inside and burned right along with it. This kid can take over the entire Moroni network for all I care. What Jack operates is small beans compared to my own work. 

“Excellent. I knew we could-” 

He’s cut off by the desk phone’s double ring. I snatch the receiver from the cradle, irritated at being interrupted. What?” I snap at Henry, who’s calling from the gate. 

“Rossetti!! Let me the fuck in! We have some things to discuss!” 

“Sir, I’m not sure what to do.” The poor old man’s voice shakes while Charles continues ranting and raving in the background. 

“Gianni? Gianni!” Caterina bursts into the room, breathless, with Tatiana on her heels. “My father. He’s on his way, and he’s furious about something. He wouldn’t tell me what it is.” 

Of all the fucking times.I have to avoid Sebastian’s steel gaze as I turn my attention to Roger, whose face is a stony mask, as he gets up from the desk and strides from the room. “I’ll take care of it.” 

Caterina’s mouth falls open in dismay. “Take care of it? What does that mean?” Before I can stop her, she spins on her heels and follows him, Tatiana tagging along behind her. 

Henry’s still on the phone. “Sir?” 

“Let him in,” I sigh, because anything else will only end up causing more trouble. I wouldn’t mind seeing him break his neck ramming the gates, but that would only cause Caterina pain, and my little bird has endured enough of that. 

Sebastian rises, buttoning his jacket with his lips pursed. He’s wearing an expression I can only describe asbetter you than me. “I didn’t mean to interrupt whatever domestic dispute is happening here.” 

“Could you wait here, please?” I ask, rising from my chair. 

“I would, but I want you to know that if he jumps out of that car screaming threats, my guys are going to get in his face.“Shit. He’s right.He takes off in front of me, trotting down the hall, while I follow behind. The man is lucky he’s Caterina’s father, or I would have shut him up permanently a long time ago. 

“Rossetti!” I hear from out in the courtyard. Sebastian left the door open when he walked out, so there was nothing to block the sound of squealing brakes and a slamming car door. 

“Charles, come on, be smart, don’t do this.” It’s Ken, and for once it doesn’t seem like Charles is listening to the voice of reason. By the time I step outside, I find Caterina with her hands raised. She’s trying to keep her father from storming into the house while Tatiana and Roger stand off to the side. Sebastian’s men have their guns drawn, but Sebastian quickly waves them off as he approaches them. 

“There you are.” Charles bares his teeth at me from over Caterina’s shoulder, spit flying. “You bastard. After everything you put her through, I discover this?” 

“What are you-“The question dies in my throat when I identify what he throws at my feet. A small device, easy to overlook–and forget.Damn it, I forgot all about it. 

“Care to explain that?” he screams. 

His face is deep red, verging on purple, and sweat beads at his temples as it rolls down his face. He’ll have a stroke if this keeps up much longer. “Want to tell me how that ended up where I found it?” 

404 

115 

+15 BONUS 

“Dad, what are you talking about?” Caterina casts a terrified look my way before gazing down at the camera.” What is that?” I glimpse at Roger, who clearly understands we fucked up and forgot to plant the camera in her room.How could we forget?1 mean, it’s understandable after everything that’s happened, but it’s just another mistake, another thing to push him over the edge. 

“Since Rossetti appears to have lost his voice, let me explain to you what that is. It’s a hidden camera,” Charles informs her. “A camera that was hidden in your damn room” Shaking his head in disbelief, he continues, “How do you not see this? This is what he does. He tells you he loves you, but it’s not love. It’s control. He wants to own you, Caterina.” His eyes glitter with hatred over his daughter’s shoulder. “Tell me I’m wrong. Lie your way out of this one, Rossetti.” 

Caterina bends and picks it up, holding it in her hand. “Gianni? Is this true? Did you put this camera in my bedroom at my dad’s house?” 

Fuck me. This is what happens when the lies mount, and the secrets you do your best to keep buried become exposed. 

“I was clearing some things out,” Charles tells her. “I found it on the bookshelves. It was pointed directly at your bed. I don’t know how you did it,” he snarls, his eyes back on me, “but I know it was you.”