Chapter 16 - The Underboss Arrives
|
At precisely 7:00 PM, a black armored SUV pulled up to the front steps of the Caruso mansion.
Dante Moretti stepped out. He was a large, imposing man with slicked-back gray hair, a thick neck, and a smile that never quite reached his cold, dead eyes. He was Fallon’s Underboss, his childhood best friend, and secretly, his worst enemy.
“Fallon, my brother!” Dante boomed, walking into the grand foyer and opening his arms wide for a heavy embrace.
“Dante,” Fallon replied, returning the hug warmly. “It’s good to see you. Come, sit. The chef made the prime rib.”
Sloan stood quietly in the corner of the dining room, holding a silver tray of water glasses. Her heart was beating so violently against her ribs she was terrified they could hear it.
The two powerful men sat at the enormous dining table—the exact same table where Sloan had been forced to crawl just weeks ago. They laughed, drank heavy red wine, and told old stories about the neighborhood. To anyone else, they looked like two lifelong friends enjoying a wealthy meal.
But Sloan knew the truth. She knew there was a ticking time bomb resting inside the leather folder sitting right next to Fallon’s plate.
“So,” Dante said, wiping his mouth with a linen napkin. “The unions on the docks are acting up again. We need to review the payroll. Did you bring the sheets?”
“I did,” Fallon said, his expression turning entirely to business. He reached out and placed his hand on top of the leather folder.
Sloan held her breath. The room suddenly felt suffocatingly hot. She tightened her grip on the silver tray until her knuckles turned bright white.
Fallon unclasped the folder and flipped it open.
He looked down. He didn't see payroll sheets. He saw a yellowed, folded piece of paper with elegant, feminine handwriting.
May you like
Fallon frowned. He picked up the letter, his eyes scanning the first line.
Sloan watched as the blood completely drained from the mafia boss’s face.
