Page 532 of One More Kiss
Paolo
Marco,Vin, and I sat in Vin’s office. I tapped my finger on the old wood conference table.
“Paolo, that’s not how it works,” Marco said. “We are not fucking rats. We do not run to the cops to take care of our business.”
I sighed. This conversation had gone on far too long, and Joe would die if he didn’t get medical treatment soon. I’d assisted in getting the information out of Joe. He’d squeaked without much pressure. Vin had originally agreed to call the cops, but an hour passed and he kept mingling with his guests. I’d called a meeting to discuss our next move.
“My hands are tied and I don’t approve of what you are doing. I can’t report to my boss we killed someone. They aren’t going to ask questions about the extra bullet hole you put in Joe’s legs, but we need cops to take him away. Further torture is not an option, even if it’s to get more information. My job here was to take down the mole. You then agreed to help me take down Frank. I don’t even need information on Frank, because I have him persuading Joe to kill you.”
Vin’s jaw clenched. Did he really think I’d forgotten about what the hell we agreed on?
“What exactly are you proposing, Paolo?” Vincenzo asked.
“That Joe’s arrested. He’ll do time, and I’ll be able to bring the rest of the Carpone organization down, including Lena, with the information you have plus the fact Frank hired this man to kill you,” I said.
Avery had ended up as a target because on of Leon. Joe said he thought Leon had figured out he had doubled crossed Vin.
“You expect me to sit back and let the cops handle this all?” Vin asked.
I shrugged. “Once Frank is behind bars, what happens to him is no longer my concern, but that of the correctional officers.”
There was no doubt in my mind Vin or Marco would have Frank and Joe both killed in prison.
“My men won’t get revenge tonight.”
I laughed at him; I couldn’t help it. “They will get revenge once Frank is behind bars and you take over his businesses, Vincenzo. As fucking idiotic as Frank Carpone is by going after you, he’s a good businessman. I take him down, and it allows you to take over his enterprise. Many of his business are above board. It’s one reason we’ve struggled to get him over the years.”
Vincenzo’s grin told me that he hadn’t thought about that. “Okay, fine. Call who you need to and get whatever needs to be done.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket and stepped out of his office. The phone rang twice before my handler picked up. We discussed the plan to take down Frank.
* * *
I was surprisedto see that it was just the two of us in Vin office. Usually, Marco was around whenever we had discussions.
“I am,” I replied, annoyed. I hadn’t figured out my next move. Technically, I had no more reason to stay in the house.
“Any updates on Frank’s arrest?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, every member of the Carpone Organization has been arrested—on a variety of charges. This includes Lena.”
Vin nodded. “What are your plans now that you’re finished here?”
I tilted my head to the side and tried to gauge his question.
“I hadn’t really thought about it. Are you offering me a job?” I said with a laugh.
No way I would work for him, but I didn’t plan to walk away from Avery. That conversation needed to happen with Vin.
His chuckle was deep and hearty. “No, not because I don’t think you’d make a good soldier—captain even—but you do not belong here, Paolo. You’re too good to be a part of my organization. However, that doesn’t answer my question. What are you doing?”
I sighed. “I’m leaving the force.”
I hadn’t told my handler or Avery. If I wanted a life with Avery, I couldn’t work undercover. My job required me to go dark for long periods of time and I would worry about her.
Vincenzo nodded. “I take it you already have a plan for what you’ll be doing?”
“Yes,” I replied. I wanted a few months off. Years of working undercover had allowed me to sock a lot of money away. I could afford a little vacation. Then, I would work at the PI office with my friend.
