Page 40 (2/2)

Bass-thu loud music instantly assaulted the as he stepped inside, gri froarette shed as he inhaled it, peering through the haze at the stage Women danced around poles in platforhts Parts of the s

No respectable hu would step foot in the place, and he realized that was likely the point

"Stop looking," Corrado said, leaning closer to Car to shout to be heard "We’re not here for pleasure"

"Funny," Carh the club "If you think I’d ever have anything to do with bitches like that, then you clearly don’t know me"

They headed into a back office and shut the door behind them to block out some of the noise Corrado opened a cellar door in the floor and started down the stairs, but Car screaroaned "Why isn’t she gagged?"

She screaht away

Carravate Corrado by lingering behind The thick cellar walls muffled thefrom above He looked around cautiously as the rooht before him Two people sat in chairs in the center of the room, handcuffed to metal chairs with burlap sacks over their heads One was clearly a girl, wearing a gold-colored dress, while the other was clad in jeans and a t-shirt Besides Corrado, there were two other Mafiosi in the roo from the sidelines just as he was now

Car the situation, when his eyes fell upon the guy’s old, gold watch Coldness swept through him as his heart dropped into his shoes "No," he whispered to himself, horrified He had seen that watch before "God, no"

Corrado peered back at hi his quiet declaration Their eyes locked for a uys in the back, who ripped the bag off of the girl’s head She glanced around in a frenzy, fear flashing across her face when she spotted them Red hair fell into her face as her eyes locked on Carmine He had to look away

"Do you know her, Carirlfriend"

Corrado laughed, the bitter sound sending a chill down Carmine’s spine "Her nahter, and apparently also the one who supplied Reht under my nose"

Corradooff the other person’s head Reht out Cared for help

"What are the rules, Carmine? Recite them to me"

Carmine looked away froistered "Stay away frooing"

"Uh, our women are off limits And children"

"And?"

"Don’t rat on your friends," Car up inside of him "Keep your mouth shut and stay away from the police"

"What else?"

"Don’t steal froanization Always be available when called on, no matter what" Car," Corrado said "You missed one--an important one"

"What’s that?"

"Never fraternize with the enemy"

Corrado reached into his coat and pulled out his gun Without warning, a lone gunshot exploded in the cellar, the loud noise bouncing off the thick walls Carh the back of Re the floor and walls around thes, his knees weak as a high-pitched, blood-curdling screah the room Carmine couldn’t ht red now littering his white Nike’s His friend’s blood

Suddenly, unexpectedly, flashes of Nicholas assaulted hisa friend killed consumed him

Shell-shocked, Carun at Vanessa’s forehead Sobbing, tears coated her flushed cheeks as she violently shook She squeezed her eyes shut tightly as Corrado pulled the trigger at close range, a subtle click ricocheting through the roo up and sed it back, not wanting to get sick Vanessa continued to sob, her head down in defeat

Grasping her chin, Corrado pulled her face up, forcing her to look at his out I knohere your little cousin Jessie goes to school Your best friend Marie? I knohere she works, and I’ve been to the church your grandain, you step foot near le one of them before I slit your throat in your sleep Capisce?"

Vanessa nodded furiously, hiccupping, unable to speak through her cries

Corrado removed her restraints and took a step back "Walk out of here calmly and hitch a ride home Don’t speak a word of this"

Vanessa ju as she scurried up the stairs Car between the door and his uncle "You let her go? What if she calls the police?"