The Heirs: A New Gamble

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Leo

I can't stop staring at the clock.

I don't know how I get roped into these meetings. I am not good at this side of the business and everyone knows it, no one more than me. I much prefer reading people, gauging who they are, and using whatever physical force is needed of me. Aleks, Josh, and even Zane are much better at this 'talking' piece.

Josh flicks a lighter playfully as he shoots the shit with some of our Italian allies who are loyal to the Corozzas in Boston and the Marinos in Chicago. The goal is to get insider info on the business dealings of the Rossis and Tazzas.

All these guys seem to want to do is talk about booze and women.

It's grown increasingly frustrating.

Especially considering we have a full party raging downstairs and I know for a fact that Sophie Donnelly is waiting for me down there.

I'm admittedly distracted by her, but I welcome the distraction. Because when my thoughts stray too far into all the shit going on and Gabe Rossi, the weight feels too heavy.

Zane and I exchange looks with one another. He's been watching the clock as much as I have, his knee dancing beneath the table. He's still technically recovering from his injuries, but he's well enough now to spend time with Tate, and that's all he wants to do right now – clearly.

Zane picks up on my vibe and gives his brother the signal.

Aleks smirks slightly in his Aleks Sokolov-way and leans forward, extinguishing his cigarette in the ash tray.

"We have a party to get to, gentlemen. So, why don't we get to the point, hmm?" he says teasingly, although anyone who really knows Aleks knows he's dead serious.

The Italian laughs. "You Russians..."

Josh chuckles, patting Aleks playfully on the shoulder. "This guy!"

They do this a lot – good cop, bad cop. It almost always works for them.

"I wouldn't mind partaking in your party, so I'll get to the point." The Italian leans back and crosses his arms. "I have it on good authority that numbers are down for our dear Rossis. One of their suppliers got busted last year and things have been on the down ever since. They're grasping at anything to hold onto their empire. Or, so I hear."

"When you say 'anything'?" Aleks asks to clarify.

The Italian winces before taking a long sip of whiskey. "Women, the trade."

My blood runs cold and I feel my jaw clench.

Zane scowls and Josh straightens, but Aleks, as always, keeps his poker face.

"You have proof?" Aleks asks.

What the man is implicating is pretty fucking serious. While the alliance of the Chicago, Boston, Dublin, and Moscow families has used more 'legitimate' ways to go about business the last several decades, the Rossis and Tazzas have leaned heavily on arms, weapons, and drugs – nothing unusual or all that shocking. We all do it. But what this guy is implying is that they're turning to something much darker, much more sinister. Sex trade is a big no-no. If this is true, it would surely trigger a more violent war than any of us could have imagined.