CHAPTER EIGHT

MELO

Marco's heated gaze on my leg makes me realize that I have been tapping my foot. I stop the tapping immediately. I don't want anything that can be misconstrued as being nervous. I'm not nervous, I'm anxious. Someone is playing games and I intend to find out who it is.

The snake clan were a vicious unit. The Don had me kill everyone in it. They've been obsolete for thirteen years, so whoever this person is, he knows about the snake clan and my involvement. Only three other people alive know about my involvement with the clan and I'm sure they didn't betray me.

"Capo, are you not going to tell me about the message those shooters sent?"

The second I read the words, I folded the paper in my hands and went back inside my office and locked myself in. I sent Marco texts of everything I wanted done last night as I needed time to think. This isn't just someone messing with me, this person wants revenge and my plan of action has to change.

"Where you able to find out where the car went to or where it came from?" I ask.

"No, boss."

I hum and continue looking off into the distance. My phone pings and I stand up.

"Change security here like I told you. I emailed you some names of people I want, add to it and pull them from anything they're currently doing. Put those other dumb asses in shooting classes. I'm going out alone. I'll be back in a few hours."

"Boss,"

"I don't want to hear it, Marco. Do as I've said and don't question me. If there's something you need to know, I will tell you."

I leave the office and go upstairs for a change of outfit. I change into a plain black t-shirt and black pants. Where I'm going doesn't need suits. After changing, I search a drawer for the keys to my beat up truck.

Whoever this is, he knows where I live so it's safe to assume that he knows all my cars. He'll be watching for them. I doubt he means to kill me but I can't be too safe.

My phone pings again and I open it up. The bridal shop I was looking at yesterday before the shooting can fit Isabella in today. I text Rocco the details and leave the house.

A few minutes into my journey, I noticed that I am being followed. I take a few detours, park in an underground parking lot and get out of the vehicle. A few minutes later, Marco's car rolls into the parking lot. His lights are off and he's driving slow. I wait for him to drive past me before I shoot his back tyres.

His response is quick. He hits the breaks hard and is out of the car in seconds. He pulls his gun out. He can't see me so he's looking in all directions as he's finding a spot where he can't be hit from the back.

"Alone means alone, Marco." I say finally coming out.

"Boss? You knew it was me and you shot my car?"

I shrug. "I didn't scratch anything, I just blew your tyres. Why are you following me?"

"Why? I'm your second in command and you are withholding things from me."

"I'm withholding things because I don't have all the facts and your knowing won't help the situation right now."

"Not knowing puts me at risk. They shot up your house! And I am always at your house."

"You're a big boy. You'll survive."

"You're really not going to tell me?"

"If I was the only one involved, I might. But as it turns out, this shit is deep."

"You don't trust me?"

Our eyes meet and we don't look away. I don't trust him, not fully. But that's not his fault, he's been wonderful since I took over, I just don't trust anyone.

"I trust you. Tell you what, you can come with me to the meeting venue but you have to stay outside. I'm not kidding. One foot inside the building and you die before you realise it."

"Okay, noted."

I turn and start heading to the car.

"I can drive," he says.

"Nobody drives her but me."

We get into the car and drive wordlessly untill we get to our location, an abandoned barn. Once the car is parked, my phone rings. I don't want to answer but when I see that it's Rocco, I answer the call.

"What?"

"She doesn't want to go in, Boss." He says.

"Why not? She doesn't like the place? Take her somewhere else then. I'm busy."

"She wants to talk to you before she goes in."

"She wants to what?"

Shit is going to hell around me and she wants us to pick dresses together.

"Alright, give her the phone."

I wait a beat and then I hear a shaky "Hello."

Good, she knows she's being silly. That'll help me keep this short and sweet.

"That fear in your voice is the only reason I'm not going to say too much. Buy the damn wedding dress." I say and end the call.

"Trouble in paradise already, Boss?"

I glare at Marco and turn the car off.

"Stay," I bark then leave.

I exit the car and walk into the barn. A lesser man would think this place was empty but I know the men I'm meeting and I know that they like to hide in the shadows.

I survey the barn and find the spots where all three of them are hiding.

"Tractor, Roof, Cellar." I say to the empty space.

It's quiet for a few minutes before they all start to come out.

"How did you know so quickly?" Sly asks as he comes out from the trapdoor.

"The hay on the door had a Brutish look to it. You're the only one with any eye for detail so I figured you'd be the one down there. Rogue likes to play with toys so I figured tractor. Travis is basically a bird, so roof."

Sly and Rogue laugh while Travis scowls at us. He's a sniper and high places feel more comfortable to him.

"You came with someone." Travis says.

"Couldn't shake him off."

Rogue scoffs. "You're becoming soft." He says.

"No, we just have a bigger issue than my second in command. My house was shot up last night and a message from the snake clan was left behind."

"How could that be?" Rogue asks at the same time Sly says, "That's impossible."

I remove the crumpled note from my pocket and show it to them. They all take their time looking at the paper.

"Do you think she knows anything about this?"

Travis asks.

"I hope so, we're screwed if she doesn't."