Of Mobsters and Men: Wild

26

Stefano's POV

Late afternoon

"What are we to do about Morelli? He's not telling us shit. 'Keeps telling us he can't communicate with Vandal directly. Are we just going to let him go?" Angelo asked, pacing around a parking square. His hands were behind his back and his head was lowered as he thought.

The Indian woman left after giving me the information I needed. Even after being told Raelyn was here, I still didn't know where to go next. I'm at a dead end yet again. I was afraid I was under Vandal's mercy again. It seemed my next steps would be dictated by his next decision.

"He probably can't communicate with Vandal directly. There's always a middle man. Vandal knows we bombarded The Prince's Haven and captured his cousin. He's purposely avoiding all communication with Morelli." I replied to Angelo.

Enrico cleared his throat. "By also cornering Morelli, we've also gotten him to spill the sauce on Vincent's plan for our people back home. He's withdrawn soldiers that were going to cause havoc on our turf."
"Sly bastard." Angelo cursed.

That was true. If I hadn't confronted Morelli, by now, the community that was under our protection would be up in flames as we speak.

"We've got Morelli on a short leash. He's the least of my concern right now." I said again. I was so close to Raelyn and I could feel it. The frustrating part was that there was something missing. There was definitely a piece I couldn't grasp. What was it?

I looked down at the note Rae wrote and my fingers shook as I gripped it. I'm bringing you back home with me, love. I wasn't sure if I was shaking in anger or determination.

"It seems we've also forgotten the fact Vandal is no longer within the borders of New York, meaning he's out of Morelli's hold. We have to get him by our own means." I heard Enrico say.

Without knowing the kind of vehicle vandal is driving or destination, tracking him appeared close to impossible.

"Incoming call from headquarters." Enrico said, earning all of our gazes. I furrowed my eyebrows. Headquarters was instructed to only contact us for serious emergencies only while we were missions. Did Morelli lie about pulling out his troops from our turf?

Enrico's eyes widened and he pulled the phone away slowly from his ear. We locked eyes and I knew then and there the news was either beneficial to this mission or a setback in it all. "Vandal sent us a sweet email. He wants to get into contact with you as soon as possible." Enrico told me.

"Shit, now we're getting somewhere." Angelo whispered and smirked afterwards.

I walked over to Enrico and he gave me his phone to talk to headquarters. "Tommaso, Palermi. Speak to me."

"The email was sent anonymously but we are for certain it's from the man you're looking for. It reads exactly: I've decided it's about time to speed things up a notch. Come to this address at the bottom of this email. Be here preferably sometime before midnight. I know you're tailing me and you're not that far behind. I should probably warn you. I want you to come alone. None of your goons or soldiers can tag along. No weapons either. If you don't follow my warning, well, you can probably guess what happens next. Rae's dying to see you...don't disappoint her."

The smugness in his words annoyed me further.
So, I was right. I am at the mercy of his decisions. He's had me by the balls the whole time. I know what game he's playing. He wants me alone so he can kill me. The only way that plan would ever succeed is if there was a compromise being made.

"Tommaso send him this for me: Above all, I know that what will bring you the most satisfaction is destroying me and taking my life. The only way you will even come close to that dream is by making a deal with me. My life in exchange for her freedom. Your threat doesn't scare me. I know you won't kill Raelyn."