Kidnapped By The Mafia

Secrets.

•Noah•

A few days had passed since we got to know that Marcellus was plotting against us. I haven't slept properly since as I'm trying my best to find ways in which I can end his whole business. But, I have to be logical here. I can't risk bringing my own shit down either. And right now, Xander's men are much more in number and power than mine.

My hands moved across the keyboard with a rhythm I'd grown used to. There was a lot to sift through: bank accounts, shell companies, hidden assets. Lucas had given us the key, but now it was on me to crack the lock. Matthew had gone out to follow up on a lead we got from the flash drive.

I leaned back in my chair, eyes closed, trying to force my brain to make connections where none seemed obvious. Papers were scattered across the surface, blueprints, accounts, and data I'd been poring over for days.

My phone vibrated on the desk. At first, I ignored it. Most calls that came in these days were either from my men or from problems I didn't have the time to deal with. But then it buzzed again. Unknown number.

Who the fuck was able to get their hands on my number?

"Who is this?" I answered, my voice sharp.

There was a pause on the other end, then a voice I didn't recognize spoke. "Noah Verlice, right?"

My grip tightened on the phone. "Who?"

"Marco Savarese speaking. We need to talk."

Savarese.

The name hit me like a punch to the gut.

He was the brother of the fucker I had killed at Marcellus's party, the one who tried to assault Melena.

I had put a bullet in him without hesitation and no second thoughts. It had been necessary. Clean, even. What wasn't clean was that no one, outside a few knew I was the one who pulled the trigger.

Xander had taken the blame, or more accurately, I'd let the blame fall on him when the rumors started circulating.

"Why the hell are you calling me?" I said, sitting up straight, my voice cold.

"Word's been spreading around." He continued. "About a rift between you and him. Seems like you two aren't as tight as you used to be, huh?"

I didn't answer, though my silence was answer enough. I leaned forward. What did he know?

"I'll take that as a yes. Look, I'm not here to waste time. I know Marcellus is not your friend anymore, and I know what he did to my brother. And frankly, I couldn't care less. He was reckless. That's why he's gone, right? But more importantly, I know you want him gone as much as I do."

I felt a pulse of satisfaction, remembering the night I had ended Bruno myself, but I didn't bite. "Get to the point. What's it to you?"

"Vengeance for my brother, for starters." He replied. "Now, I know Marcellus had his issues with Bruno, but something tells me that isn't the whole story. Doesn't really matter, though. I just want that man dead. Simple."

Savarese didn't mince words, but his assumption was off. He thought Xander was the one who shot Bruno. Good. Let him keep thinking that. It bought me time and, more importantly, leverage.