Mafia's Redemption: Terzo - Chapter 54: Chapter 54

TERZO
I watched my fake self on my phone. It was like watching a rerun with the same scenario over and over again.
“My father is not a patient man, Atty. Davis, and he won’t be in the position for long. He’s retiring, and I’m taking over the family business.” Tristan sat in the chair in his newly renovated kitchen. Marco and Gio were waiting outside.
“Then tell your father to come here to collect.” My eyebrows raised at his response. “I know I promised you last month, but what I can afford right now is half.” He tied the robe. He was still wearing his sleepwear inside.
“That’s not what we talked about. You took money from me to pay your gambling debt. The people you owe money to are not as patient as me. You pay me by the end of this week, or I will tell your wife about your gambling addiction. Your daughter is pretty, by the way. She goes to a law school downtown, am I right?”
He steeled, eyes widening in fear. “Don’t touch my daughter. I’m a lawyer. I can make your life a living hell.”
“Don’t threaten me, attorney. You’re as dirty as me. Don’t worry, I won’t lay a hand on your daughter.” Tristan chuckled confidently, even though his fury was brewing inside him. In his head, he dreamed of cutting off his finger so that the next time we came here, my money would be ready. “But if you will not give me my money on that date, look at those two outside.” He gestured at Marco and Gio. He could clearly see them standing in his backyard. “All they need is a shower and a nice clean clothes. They can be mistaken for college boys.”
“Okay. Okay. Wait here.” Frightened, he quickly turned and went inside.
I didn’t like it when people played with us while they benefited from my money. It didn’t take long, he came back with a white envelope. “I swear that’s the only cash I have. I will pay the remaining twenty percent this weekend.”
“Put your hand on the table,” Tristan stated firmly.
I chuckled. Tristan was so good, like he meant it. I was even convinced that he would do something to the old man.
Terrified, he sucked in a breath, hiding his hand behind his back. “Please, don’t do this to me, Mr. Siciliano.”
“I’m done fucking with your game, attorney. I’ll let them handle your situation.” He was referring to Marco and Gio.
“I promise you will have the money tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, huh?” At this point, I knew what he was doing. He was a lawyer. Apparently, a stupid one, and he thought Tristan was just like him, could be lured to his trap. The moment one of us stepped on his door tomorrow, the cops would be waiting to arrest us. Tristan leaned forward. “Keep your voice low or you will wake up your wife and daughter with your scream.”
Tristan grabbed the envelope and left. Once he reached the door, the lawyer cried and begged. He should not be gambling if he didn’t have money to pay. Tristan nodded at Marco and Gio. “Take care of him.”
I let them finish their job while I waited in the car. I didn’t give a damn what they would do to him. I was done with him and gave him enough time to come up with my money, yet he kept playing with us.
I was still furious with what happened earlier, and I said a lot of things to Dani that I didn’t mean. I did things I regretted instantly, but the words were out. My actions were shameful and unforgivable, but what made me so damn infuriated and furious, she didn’t even say a word. She didn’t even fight back for her freedom. She didn’t even hit me.
I wanted her to fight back, to show me I was wrong. I wanted her to punch me or shoot me, and it fucking hurt that she just allowed me to do what I did despite out of anger. And I couldn’t take back what I’d done. The damage was done. She would never trust me again. She would never forgive me again.
“Tristan is not joining us. He still has debtors to pay a visit to,” Marco said as he and Gio joined me in the car.
My phone rang. It was my sister, Maverick. I called her earlier to say that Dani was not feeling well. I knew she wanted more explanation than I didn’t have. Now she was calling me, and I had this gut feeling this call wouldn’t be pleasant.
“Brother, where are you?” No hi or hey. Fuck. And she sounded furious.
“My wife is sick.” I didn’t usually lie to Maverick when not necessary, and I just did. I swallowed the bitterness down my throat. I would apologize later.
“Liar!” she spat out, and I could practically see her red face as she narrowed her eyes at me. Oh, fuck me. Can this day be any better?
One thing I’d learned since she found out who I was to her, was not to piss her off. I loved her with all my heart. She was one of the few people who made me feel like a real person without the danger looming around me. But you could not fight or get the chance to defend yourself once you pissed off Maverick. She was unstoppable, like a real machine gu,n until she was done. She was a spitfire.
“Fuck.” I stared at the phone after she hung up on me. “Let’s go to the Winston. Maverick just took my wife.”
What happened earlier was not my best moment. How could I embarrass my wife? I didn’t even know what came to me. I realized what I’d done when it was over, and the way she looked at me was so terrified, I couldn’t even forgive myself.
When I didn’t hear anything from the two, I looked at them. “Did you hear me?”
I was waiting for them to say something after we left the apartment, but nada. Zilch. They turned mute, keeping their opinion to themselves, and that was not normal.
“Yes, boss.”
“Wow. It’s fucking unusual you don’t have something to say.”
“It’s none of our business, man,” Gio said, looking outside the window. He wanted to convince me, even if he couldn’t even convince himself.
We arrived later at the Winston mansion. The staff knew me and let us in right away.
Lake was apparently at home, the man I was trying to avoid. “I thought your wife was sick, the reason why you canceled your brunch with my wife. She’s not pissed at you for canceling, but I didn’t believe your reason and she felt you just wanted to spend time alone with your wife, which that exactly what would want to do. So, why are you here?”
“I know my wife is here, Winston. My sister took her from the apartment.
He nodded subtly. “Uh-huh. So this is what it’s all about. Why did my wife take your wife from the apartment?”
I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to explain. I didn’t have time. I was sure my sister could not keep her mouth shut and tell her husband anyway.
“Just let me see her, Winston.”
“I’m sorry my wife left. She’s not here,” he said, hiding his smile.
“I just talked to Maverick. She said she’s taking my wife home.” I dialed Maverick. It rang, but she did not pick up.
“Already trouble in paradise?” His smile finally broke out, and he took his phone from his pocket and dialed someone, probably Maverick. “Hey, baby. Do you happen to be with Dani right now?”
I waited. Lake just laughed. “Baby, you can’t just kidnap someone’s wife even if you’re his sister.
“Let me talk to her.”
Lake stole a glance at me and shook his head. “She doesn’t wanna talk to you. She said you’re an asshole and an embarrassment to your family.”
I breathed deeply to calm down. “There’s no place she can hide my wife that I can’t find. I broke into the most secure location, and your penthouse is not Fort Knox.”
“Man.” He smirked and raised his hand. “I’m not your enemy. I can give you access, but I don’t wanna fight with my wife and sleep in the other room. Don’t put me in a tough situation. Just call Dani and apologize for whatever you did to her. Women who care for their husbands can’t stay angry for a long time, as long as they did not cheat on them. Did you cheat on her?”
“Fuck no.” I was offended he thought I cheated on Dani. “I can’t call her. I have her phone.”
“You have her phone.” His brows shot up.
“Yes, I have her phone. Can you take me to the penthouse?”
“I told you, Siciliano. No can do.”
Fuck. I admired his loyalty to my sister, but I wanted to punch his face at the same time.
“Fuck you, Winston.”