Part 18 (1/2)

”We need someone to make sure it happens, someone to let us know their every move: what time they arrive, when both Lou and Salvi are spotted together, and the time of the exchange.”

”You do understand that Lou doesn't trust us now, right?” I leaned back in the chair, placing both of my hands on the back of my head. ”How do you expect us to retrieve that info? We didn't even know about the Lombardi trade.”

”Lou hasn't trusted you in months, Marky. Ever since he was suspicious of you and found out the info on Mia, he's been watching you. I've been watching you for him. We had a meeting a few days back. He took you out as second in command and gave it to Gio, so you know what that means.”

I absolutely did. It meant that, if for some reason Lou was killed, the second in command would take over. I was supposed to be the one that would take Lou's position if there was ever a hit on him. I never wanted it to begin with, and it didn't surprise me that Gio took over my position.

”Okay, so the question remains: how do you expect us to retrieve that information? Do you really think he'll let us near the job at this point? No, he won't. His trust in me is shot to h.e.l.l.”

”I just need you to be at the club on the day of the exchange. I don't know for sure what your involvement would entail, but that Sunday morning, we can meet up, probably here, go over all the details with my men, and then move on from there. You have my word. If you two do this for me, you will not be mentioned at all.”

Jimmie shook his head in disbelief. ”But the bust will take place at the club that Marcus owns. With all the media attention that has occurred in the past couple of years increasing people's suspicions about our involvement with the Sorrentos, how would you pull that off?”

”Well, I've thought of that. Every month there's inventory done at the club?” He raised a brow in question. I nodded in response. ”Well, the two of you will be at the club for inventory that week.”

”What about the media?” Jimmie questioned.

”We'll take care of them. Granted, no matter what, the media will have their own take on things. Reporters may mention your names, no doubt about it, but if we play it right, we can pull it off.”

We sat there for a few moments silently, taking in that bit of information that had been provided. Jimmie turned his head and looked at me with a raised brow. Even though he didn't speak, I knew he was waiting for my take on it. After another few minutes, I nodded my head at him.

He looked at Vinnie and with a shrug said, ”Okay, we're in.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO.

MIA.

Two weeks. That's how long it'd been since I'd seen Marcus. He had texted me a few times, but his messages were short. I wasn't bothered by it as much as I thought I'd be, because I knew he was busy with work and I was distracted with school. I aced my last exam, which was a huge stress reliever. My next exam wasn't for another couple of weeks, and then the final was in December. I was certain that if I continued the way I was going, I'd pa.s.s the cla.s.s.

Because I had busted my b.u.t.t for the past few weeks, I had decided to take Sat.u.r.day off. I had texted Marcus to see if he wanted to go out to dinner or stay in or just spend some time together, but he was busy that night, which turned into a night of wearing PJ's, eating junk food, and watching old movies. That was until Megan barged out of Jeremy's room.

I jumped at the sound of her slamming his bedroom door behind her. ”I can't stand him!” She rushed over and slumped beside me on the couch. With a wrinkled nose, she crossed her arms and huffed.

Before I could ask what happened, Jeremy stormed out of his room and came over to us. ”Seriously, Megan? You won't even let me explain anything . . .”

”I'm not speaking to Jeremy at the moment, Mia. Can you please let him know that?” She asked me as she turned her head, looking away from Jeremy.

When my eyes glanced up to Jeremy, he'd rolled his eyes in frustration. ”So we're five now? Awesome.”

”Shut up, Jeremy!” She angrily wiggled in her seat but kept her glare toward the wall beside her.

Jeremy shot me a look that said, ”Can you help me out here?” Since I had no idea what the h.e.l.l was going on, I shrugged my shoulders in response.

He let out a heavy sigh and tossed his arms in the air. ”Fine, act that way, Megan. I'm out!” He turned his back on us, marched toward the door, and grabbed his keys by the table before slamming the door shut behind him.

Megan sucked her teeth. ”Can you believe him? Ugh.”

Still alarmed by the entire show, I asked, ”What happened?”

”It's a long story. Let's go out.” She jumped from the couch and reached for my arm. ”We'll find something hot to wear and hit Club21.”

”Oh, I don't know, Megan I was sort of content with just chillaxing at home.”

”Come on, Mia. Please.” She pleaded with her big hazel eyes. ”I can't stay here, and I need to let out some frustration. Drinks and the dance floor will do the trick, but I need my best girl there. Please.” She begged again.

Why I allowed her to influence me in any way was beyond me. Her lips curled into a slight grin, after my nod. ”Can I borrow an outfit?”

I rolled my eyes and nodded again. I knew that was coming too.

”I'll have a cosmo, please. Thank you.” The bartender nodded before heading toward the end of the bar to prepare my drink.

Letting out a deep breath, I sank my chin into my hand. I knew tonight was supposed to be a fun girls' night, but Megan refused to mention what happened between her and Jeremy. It was just the two of us, and I hate to dance, so as Megan demolished the dance floor, I sat by the bar and tried to drink away my boredom.

”Can I buy you a drink?” A deep tone pierced through my thoughts. Turning my head, I was presented with a familiar face. At first, the name didn't dawn on me.

”Gio, right?”

”The one and only.” He gave a charming half grin.

”Well, it's nice to see you again. How are you?”

”I'm doing a lot better now.” He said in a seductive way and then winked at me.

I felt my cheeks turn a burning red. The bartender brought my drink right on time, allowing me to hide the embarra.s.sment with a few sips of my cosmo. I'd only met him once when he stopped by Marcus's house, but there was something about him that was pleasant. I didn't feel uncomfortable around him. Maybe it was his upbeat persona. Yes, he was a very good-looking man, but I was madly in love with Marcus. Gio didn't compare to Marcus, not in the least. No man could ever win my heart except for Marcus, but I wondered if he still felt the same about me. It was hard not to think that way because he had been so distant lately.

Gio straightened up and ordered a beer before speaking. ”So where's your man?”

”I have no clue.” Though, I wish did. ”I'm here with my cousin, who's out there on the dance floor, sweating off some frustration.” He looked over to where I pointed at Megan. She was shaking her hips, swinging her arms, and grooving to ”Locked Out Of Heaven” by Bruno Mars. She was also pus.h.i.+ng away every man that had tried to dance with her. Megan was beyond angry and needed to let loose. After a few shots, she was doing just that.

”Ah, I must have a talk with Marky. I mean if I had a beautiful woman like you I would never leave your side.”

Rolling my eyes, I c.o.c.ked my head aside and stared at him for a few seconds before replying. ”Marcus is a busy man. That's all.”

His eyes slightly squinted as if confused by my response. ”Busy doing what exactly?”

”On jobs. What else?”

Laughing once, he took a long pull of his beer then placed the bottle on the bar. ”Is that what he's been telling you? Marcus hasn't handled a job in the last four weeks. Vinnie and I have been taking care of them.”

Staring at Gio in disbelief, my throat closed and instantly felt very dry. All the excuses Marcus had given me sprinted through my mind: he was busy; he couldn't make it; he was sorry, but he needed to work on a few things.

Why would he lie about it all? He promised that he wouldn't keep anything from me. Suddenly, I felt more detached from him than I'd ever felt. ”Excuse me, but I have to go.” I muttered while grabbing my clutch from the bar. I tried to stand, but Gio put his hands on my shoulders and forced me to sit back down.