Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
But I’ve worked at this place for a while now, and I’ve never seen Skinny walk down that hall, not a single time, not while he’s on shift.
I’ve learned the hard way to spot weird situations. This place brings out the worst in people—it’s the dancing, the drinking, the whiff of sin—and I’ve had to hone my radar for danger.
All my warning bells are screaming, and I don’t know why.
I grip my tray tight and hurry after them, hoping I’m wrong.
Chapter 33
Angelo
Nothing feels wrong about Cage.
I’m treated like normal. The bartenders are deferential and the staff is respectful. They know I’m a Bianco and I built this place, but that Tommy’s their real boss and I’m more like a figurehead. I get to drink for free, I can sample the wares on the upper floors, but I don’t get to make decisions.
I’m a benign presence. Just a guy with no real authority.
It frustrates me, but I’ve learned to accept it, at least for now. But tonight, I can’t seem to shake the feeling that something’s off.
Tommy should’ve been consolidating power by now. If I were in his position, I’d start paying off all the bouncers, all the employees, basically anyone with any influence at all, just to make sure they turn against me. It’s a short-term solution, since eventually my brother would crush him, but it’d be a decent delaying tactic. And if he got lucky and could get me out of the way—
But none of that’s happening. It’s a normal night at Cage, and I get to drink a couple beers and watch Claudia serve drinks to drunk, rich assholes.
I love the way she walks. The way her hips sway, the way she squints straight ahead with this pinched, annoyed look on her face, like anyone that steps into her path should get the hell out of her way. It’s gorgeous and hilarious, and most people treat her like she’s going to bowl them over even though she’s a tiny little thing. The guys all stare at her tits and her ass, which annoys me, but it’s understandable, and the women give her dirty looks like it’s her fault their boyfriends want to fuck her.
And she’s mine. All fucking mine. She’s living in my house, sleeping in my bed, and maybe she thinks this is a temporary situation but I plan on keeping her around for a very long time.
I’m smitten. I’m fucking obsessed. Here I am, staring at her when I should be watching my back, and I can’t help myself. I spend three hours watching her, and I don’t get bored at all. Every time she comes close, I touch her leg or caress her hands, just to let her know I’m thinking about her, and I love the way it brightens her face. My fucking Claudia.
After a few hours, I get a call from Seamus. “It’s hard to hear you, hold on a second,” I tell him, leaving my spot at the bar. I saw Claudia chase after one of the other waitresses a minute ago and I lost track of her, but she’ll be alright for a couple minutes. I head to the back hall. “Thanks for returning my call.”
“I heard you had need of my services once again.” Seamus sounds amused. “Not that I did a great job last time.”
“Not your fault. I asked a little too much of you.”
“Well, since there are no hard feelings, what’s going on?”
“I need to borrow a few of your guys. On the record, so no need to hide it from your brother or my sister.” I bypass the bathrooms, ignore the office, and push through an emergency exit door. It leads into a narrow alley out behind the club, and I make sure I don’t get locked out with a little brick someone must’ve left for this purpose. The ground’s covered in cigarette butts, and I’m guessing the staff smokes out here.
“You got a specific job in mind?”
“There’s a club called Cage. I need some guys that won’t be recognized to keep an eye on it.”
“That sounds pretty doable. How many do you need?”
“Six to start. I can give you more details later, but I need discretion on their part. Don’t choose anyone that might be known by people in the Bianco Famiglia.”
“Got it, you’re doing more undercover work. You’ve been out of prison for how long? And you’re already shaking shit up. Good for you.”
“Just taking back what was stolen from me.” I wander a few feet into the alley. I’m thinking about Claudia and what life will be like after this is done. We can settle in together and move all her stuff into my place. She’ll never have to dance in the cages again. Hell, she’ll never have to work if she doesn’t want to.