Chapter Twenty-Five

 

Dominic

 

The time had come for the meeting.

The FBI had pinpointed Allison’s location and they were close to finding her. Once they did, getting her to talk would be the problem. Cadoc would have her killed if she spilled anything about him.

I straightened up my tie and grabbed my Ed Brown 1911 Signature Edition 9 mm. off the dresser. It was a gift from my father. The metalwork was specially engraved with our family crest. Faith watched me through the reflection in the mirror with a look of concern on her face as she leaned against the doorframe. “I’ll be okay,” I told her, sliding the gun into my holster. “Marco’s coming with me.”

She started toward me and nodded toward the hall. “He’s here. Reed let him in.”

Turning to face her, I reached out and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her close. “I won’t be gone long.” The police were going to be close by just in case Cadoc did have something up his sleeve, but I knew the man. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when I walked through the door.

Faith’s lips pursed as she stared up at me. “You’re not going to get pissed and kill him, are you?”

That brought a smile to my face. “I’d love that, but I’m not an idiot. I’m curious to hear what he has to say to the others.” I kissed her quickly and grabbed my suit jacket off the bed. “I have to leave.”

She followed me out of the bedroom and down the hall to the living room where Reed and Marco waited. Marco stood and hugged me. “So happy you’re okay, son. Isaiah and Luca are at the hotel, making sure everything’s safe for when you return.”

“Good.” Marco let me go and I focused on Reed. “Where are Micah and Connor?”

Reed sat down on the couch and stretched his arms out. “Micah’s helping the police, and Connor’s at the hotel, spending his time working out in the pit.”

“Perfect,” I said, sliding into my suit jacket. “Tell them we’ll be back at the hotel tonight.”

Reed nodded. “Will do.”

Marco headed toward the door. “I’ll be outside.”

I walked over to Faith and hugged her one last time. “I love you,” I murmured in her ear.

Her arms tightened around me. “I love you too. Please be careful.”

“I will.” I kissed her cheek and let go. Marco stood by his car, smoking a cigarette when I walked out. “Thought you quit,” I said, getting into the passenger’s side.

Marco coughed and tossed the cigarette onto the ground. “I did. All this shit with the Cartwrights made me start back up again.”

We got in the car and Marco drove us toward the meeting spot, a restaurant by the bay that was considered neutral ground. I peered over at Marco, and it was the first time I’d seen what the years of stress had done to him. There were more wrinkles around his eyes and he looked older than what he should. He’d wasted all the good years of his life by following my father around.

“I’m leaving town,” I said.

Marco’s eyes widened in shock. “What?” We stopped at a light and he turned to me. “When?”

I shrugged. “Whenever this shit with the Cartwrights is done. I’m moving to Wyoming with Faith.”

The light changed and he focused back on the road. “What about the hotel?”

“I’m keeping it,” I replied. “You, Aunt Marjory, and Luca can stay there anytime you want. Hell, you can come to Wyoming with us.”

His brows lifted. “And the pit?”

“The pit is done.” I waited for his response, and was surprised to see him smile. “I take it you’re okay with all of that?”

Marco’s shoulders relaxed and he chuckled. It’d been a long time since I’d heard that sound from him. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted out of this life. The only thing that kept me around was you and your sister.”

I patted his shoulder. “Not anymore, Uncle. I’m done with it all.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “I never thought I’d hear those words.”

We arrived a few minutes late to the restaurant, but that was the plan. Marco pulled us around to the side so we could go in through the back door. I didn’t want any of the others to see us coming. Once inside, I could already hear Cadoc.

“I’m sure you all have heard the news,” he announced, trying to sound sympathetic. He was such a fucking prick.

Several voices murmured in agreement and I recognized them all: Viktor Kazakov, Michael O’Brien, Riccardo Rossi, and Lorenzo Salvatore. They were the top bosses in their families.

Cadoc cleared his throat. “With Corsino being out of commission for a very long time, I think it’s time we reestablish the boundaries.”

Viktor scoffed. “What the hell is this, Cartwright? You can’t just piss around the city and claim it’s yours.”

Cadoc chuckled. “No pissing involved, actually. I’ve been buying up businesses all around New York. As soon as The Chateaux goes under, I plan on getting it too.”

So that was his plan. The Chateaux was one of the biggest moneymakers in the city. Not to mention it had a reputation for its hidden desires. He’d have the whole underground to play around with.

“That’s not going to happen,” I called out as I turned the corner. Marco joined me and we stared them down. Viktor and the others looked on in surprise while Cadoc first appeared shocked, but then the anger took over. Cadoc was the youngest of them all besides me. All the other top bosses were older with white and gray hair. They were getting to the age where starting a war wasn’t in their best interest.

“Thought you were in jail?” Cadoc said through clenched teeth.

I greeted him with the biggest smile I could muster. “Sorry to disappoint you. Guess killing my girlfriend’s ex-husband and blaming it on me didn’t work.”

The room fell silent, but then Viktor stood. “I don’t know what the fuck’s going on, but I want no part in it.” He turned to leave and the other men followed suit, only when they opened the front door, there were two of Cartwright’s men in the way.

Cadoc glared at me, and then walked over to them. “Change of plans, my friends. I’m going to have to ask you to sit down again.”

Viktor glanced back at me and I nodded. Out of the other families, I respected Viktor the most. His family was the only one who didn’t do anything illegal to make money. Viktor sighed and said a few words to the other men. They all turned and made their way back to the table.

Cadoc waved for me to join them. “Come. Let’s discuss this like civilized men.”

Once all the others were seated, I took my place at the table while Marco stood guard on the other side of the room with his hand ready to reach for his gun if need be.

Viktor glanced over at me, and I could see him out of the corner of my eye. “Is it true? Did Cadoc try to frame you?”

“Why don’t you ask him yourself?” I said, keeping my focus on Cadoc.

Cadoc shook his head, waving me off as if what he did was nothing. “Lies. If I was guilty, don’t you think the police would’ve already come after me?” Not yet, I thought to myself. But they will. The room fell silent again and Cadoc beamed as if he’d won.

“So let me get this straight,” I began, “from what I understand you want to buy my hotel and take over the city? Is that right?” When Cadoc opened his mouth to speak, I held up my hand which pissed him off even more. “Oh, wait,” I cut in, “you can’t because I’m still here. Your plan failed.”

Cadoc slammed a hand down on the table. “Fine. You want the truth, you got it. That was my plan. I was going to make sure the Corsinos were done in this city for good.”

I held out my arms. “I’m still here. What are you going to do now?”

Tension filled the room and I could feel the rage coursing through my body. I’d wanted to beat the fuck out of Cadoc for years. All I had to do was reach for my gun and end it. But I couldn’t.

Cadoc snarled. “I challenge the Corsino family to a fight. Winner takes all.”

“All of what?” I growled.

Cadoc stood and spread his arms wide. “Everything. I want the power, the money, the hotel … you name it. It’s time for the Cartwrights to take over.”

“Dominic,” Marco warned.

I held up my hand, but I didn’t dare look at him. I knew his answer. The other men stared at me as if I was stupid for even considering it. I couldn’t back down. It was time Cadoc Cartwright faced the reality that he was inferior to me. My family might be smaller now, but we were stronger. With the biggest grin on his face, Cadoc held out his hand, taunting me.

“Faith is not included in the deal,” I stated boldly.

Cadoc agreed with a nod. “Of course not. My nephew plans on getting her all on his own. This deal is between you and me.” The thought of William breathing near Faith had me seeing red. Grabbing his hand, I squeezed with all my strength.

“And,” I growled, getting to my feet, “the loser has to step down. That means leaving New York for good.”

I didn’t like Cadoc’s confidence or the way he looked as if he’d already won. Whatever he had planned, it wasn’t going to be good; I couldn’t let him win.

“Deal,” he replied, trying his best to pretend he wasn’t in pain. I squeezed even harder and he grunted. “Next Saturday. Your best fighter against mine.” He jerked his hand away and stepped back from the table. “We’re done here.”

The others stood and talked among themselves as they left, talking about how much they were going to bet on the fight. With everything at stake, it was going to be a multi-million-dollar fight. Viktor stayed back and slapped a hand on my shoulder. “Hope you know what you’re doing, Corsino. None of us want to see Cartwright at the top.”

“You won’t,” I promised. He held out his hand and I shook it. “I’m not going to let him win.”

Viktor nodded and turned on his heel. Once him and the others were gone, I stayed back with Cadoc. By now, his two goons had come inside and took their place beside him. He shook his head and smiled. “You’re a lot smarter than I thought.”

“And you’re a lot dumber than you think,” I countered. “Framing me was a bad move, Cartwright. You’re going to regret it.”

Cadoc shrugged. “I don’t think I will. The police can’t prove shit. I’ve gotten away with so much over the years. I’m not about to be taken down by you or anyone else.”

“We’ll see about that,” I said, smirking. “Although I will say you saved me the trouble of getting rid of Mackenzie myself. For that, I thank you.”

The muscles in Cadoc’s jaw twitched, but I was done. I nodded for Marco to follow me and we exited the restaurant without another word. Once we were in the car, Marco sped out of the parking lot back toward the townhouse.

“For fuck’s sake,” he hissed, “what were you thinking? Do you realize what all is at stake?”

“We’re not going to lose. We can’t.”

Marco scoffed. “You better hope not. I don’t mind taking Marjory and leaving town, but I don’t want it like this. Our name will be drug through the fucking mud.”

Our pride, our name, and our legacy were what made the Corsinos lethal. I wasn’t about to let the Cartwrights take it away. We were going to win. One way or another, I’d make sure that happened.