Mad Max (Chicago Crew) Read online

  “I don’t want you to give up your life for the what-if’s. Living your life in fear is no way to live at all. You must be brave and have faith.” She makes the sign of the cross, whispering a prayer under her breath. My mother, and Nonna on her side, have always been fairly religious.

  My dad is the type to do bad things and ask for forgiveness later. I tend to lean towards having more in common with him than my ma. Maybe that’s a small bit of the draw I find myself faced with where Maximillian is concerned. There’s not a doubt in my mind that he lives by a similar ethic, but one that doesn’t include apologies tied in afterward.

  “I’m being brave. I want to do this.” For my famiglia. I’m loyal and protective. I have to be. They’re the only famiglia I’ll ever have, and keeping them alive means everything to me at the end of the day. I come by that trait honestly, as they’re the same way where I’m concerned. If they didn’t love me and care as much, then they wouldn’t be concerned about my happiness with marrying Max.

  “Si, cara, then it shall happen and it will be memorable.” My mother offers me a determined glance before hunting down the other bridal employees. The poor women. My mom is about to work them ragged, all day until I get the picture-perfect dress. In the meantime, I’ll put all my trepidations of Maximillian and this marriage to the back of my mind. Right now, I need to concentrate on getting myself prepared for the big day and not making him hate me too much prior so he calls it off.

  Once all this mob business blows over, if I need to divorce the asshole, then I will. My nonna may temporarily disown me for divorcing, and my church may shun me, but my parents will support me in the end. If it even comes to that, hell, I may kill him before I have the chance to file any papers.

  I know one thing…he better fuck like the god Gi claims him to be.

  To understand another person, you must

  swim in the same waters that drowned them.

  – ifunny.co

  “You’re pissed off because you don’t intimidate her. Admit it, you want her to bow to your will,” Thaddaeus states, and I bristle at his words. He sees too much, and the bloke doesn’t need to acknowledge it aloud.

  “Daft woman,” I mutter with a huff. “If she knew what was good for her, she’d be wary of her safety around me when she doesn’t obey.” She has no sense of self-preservation and it only draws me to her more. It also pisses me right off that she sleeps next to me without a care in the world, while I stay up most nights to listen to her breathe. Must be nice to sleep so bloody pleasant in the presence of a predator. I’ve had men shit themselves when faced with my attention. Ismerlda, on the other hand, doesn’t skip a beat.

  He chuckles, shaking his head. “You want a submissive, yet Ismerlda is anything but. She’s beautiful, opinionated, financially stable, has her own life, and was raised by a criminal. You don’t frighten her like you’re used to and you’re shook.” He’s entirely too amused by this, in my opinion.

  “We’re gangsters, T. I don’t get shook, mate, and especially not by a headstrong woman.”

  “Hm, that so?”

  “The bird is bloody insane. She’s already doing my head in. I’m going to throw her out a window or something else far more tragic. You know she hasn’t even attempted to shag me yet? Bloody mad, I tell you.”

  “Well, you obviously have chemistry together, even if it is borne in hate. What are you going to do about it?” He draws on his cigar as a manic grin overtakes my mouth.

  “I allowed her to escape me this morning while I was showering. Little did she realize, I’d planned ahead for it. She’s off her rocker to think I don’t pay attention to every move she makes. She’ll have a proper lesson, I’ll see to it.”

  “Max…” He draws my name out, knowing I’m up to something twisted. I can’t help it, it’s just who I am. “What have you done? Will I be hearing from her father because of this?”

  “I can teach him one as well if you’d fancy it,” I offer, tucking my hand in my trousers pocket. “I had her taken to an undisclosed location. She’ll be bound to a chair next to Roberto Vittorio, awaiting my arrival.”

  “You found the nephew?” He means the nephew to one of the heads that sit at the table of the Five Families. I need some locations on specific people, and I’m wondering if he’s got them. If not, I’ll blow off a bit of steam in the process at least.

  “Indeed. I’m going to be doing a bit of persuading with the fella and allow my dear fiancée to bear witness. I’m in for quite the afternoon.”

  “You think she’s messed up now, you’ll make her deranged if she watches you torture him. Be careful what you wish for. You’re going to marry this one.”

  “No, mate, she’ll realize this isn’t a dream she’s buried her pretty head in. They’ll be no waking up to a different life. This is me, what I do. Better she realizes it now before she drives me to stab her to death.”

  “Jesus, Max,” he sighs. “Didn’t you learn anything from me and Grace?”

  “Indeed: not to hide myself if she wants to survive. You have Grace bloody fooled to believe your hands are clean.” I raise my palms. “I’m not saying anything about how you handle your woman, but I’m not doing the same with mine. Ismerlda can see the crimson stains on these palms and I won’t fret over it a bit.” Maybe she’ll finally realize she sleeps next to a beast each night and stop giving me a headache.

  “You genuinely believe you’ll be able to keep her after today? You think she won’t run and go into hiding? Grace would’ve headed for the hills screaming if she’d found everything out. Case in point why I kept it locked away. Don’t forget we need Ismerlda—well, her father’s vote, to be precise. This takeover will never end if we don’t draw out Sammi from hiding. You know as well as I do he’s quietly regrouping and getting ready to attack. If he has a chance to put a hit out on Dante Vendetti, then we’re pushed right into the middle of a Mafia war. Fighting the Vendettis will ruin what I’m attempting to take over and protect.”

  I shrug, shoving a hand through my perfectly styled hair. “She needs us more than we need her. In any case, I can hold onto her long enough for us to set up the vote and get Sammi out in the open. Her father will be none the wiser.” Father Roberts is on our payroll. He’ll marry whoever the fuck I tell him too. I don’t care if I have to gag and bind Ismerlda, she won’t be running from me.

  “I trust you. I probably shouldn’t, but for some reason, I do.”

  I cough out a chuckle, knowing he’s wise to be wary. “You trust me because I keep you rich and alive.”

  He grins. “Touché. Let’s keep it that way. Now, we have business to take care of.”

  The double wood doors are thrown open and we roll in as one intimidating force—Joker, me, Cage, Dillion, and Tyson. Andre and some lower-grade thugs are posted outside the high-rise building in case reinforcements are called to come in and take us out. I didn’t want them coming inside with us. We have to do this face-to-face with Dante before the bullets have a chance to fly. As soon as my guy messaged me where Dante was headed, I called the others so we could have a sit-down without worrying about being sabotaged. T knew my plan, so he was ready for it, while I can tell the others are a bit stunned I managed to corner Vendetti.

  Dante’s not expecting to be interrupted today, but did he think he’d slaughter people in our city and never be confronted about it? As I mentioned before, I’ve kept my trail on him from the moment I discovered he was in town. With everything going on, I’m glad I did. We need a sit-down before he manages to kill any others. This also gives me the chance I need to discuss Ismerlda.

  “Ah, Dante the Devil,” I murmur darkly, taking a step in front of Joker. No way am I allowing him to get hurt, even if the arse can hold his own. Grace already drives me batshit. Lord knows if her husband were injured I’d never hear the end of it. I’ll keep my sanity and risk getting shot by Dante instead.

  “Mad Max,” he grunts before flicking his dead gaze behind me. “Joker, Tyson, Cage, and Dillio
n. This must be a special occasion, if you’re all here to greet me together. Count me lucky after all.” He appears entirely unimpressed by the force of us, and that has my respect growing a touch in his direction. We’re a broody lot and not many men can handle us all at once when they’re left alone.

  “Why’d you break into this office building?” I question, drawing his attention to me, stealing it from the others. If he’s concentrating on me, then it’ll give the others plenty of time to check the room out and watch Dante’s mannerisms.

  “Why do you think? To bake cookies, obviously. You wouldn’t know much about that though, huh, Brit?”

  “Why do people call me that as if it’s meant to be an insult?” I ask no one in particular. “It’s a bloody bullshit thing to do. Besides, I thought you Italians were supposed to be welcoming and all. I’m sensing a bit of hostility and I haven’t the slightest idea why. I’m not here guns blazing, nor offending anyone, just merely came for a chat.”

  Dante grunts. The tension in the air crackles around us, just waiting for one of us to lose our temper and paint the room red. Not a difficult feat amongst a pack of ravenous wolves out for the blood of an enemy.

  I continue, “I’ve heard you’ve been on a hunt. I doubt you fancy office buildings, so there must be some poor wanker around here that you want. You’re a bit blood thirsty, eh, bloke?”

  “I’m not your bloke. What I choose to do is none of your business, none of you.” He flicks his dim stare to the others before landing back on me.

  “Ah-ah, that’s where you’re wrong. You see, we have many shared interests. For example, all these rotten old bastards that sit at the table of the Five.” That catches his full attention. “We’re not so different. We want them dead too.”

  “Puttana miseria,” he grunts.

  I couldn’t be fucked with what the Italian words mean so I shrug. “Sure.”

  Joker barks out a cough behind me, but keeps his thoughts to himself. I’m guessing my answer had nothing to do with whatever Dante said. I’m a bit stunned Thaddaeus is letting me take the lead on this one. Usually, his bossy arse is the one front and center. I’m sure if it were Matteo Vendetti, the head of the prominent Empire family, I wouldn’t be the one doing the talking at the moment. But from what I’ve heard, the other Vendetti would’ve killed me already. I wonder if the rumors about him are true or if they’ve been embellished.

  “I’m thinking we may be able to help each other out. I’m assuming since you’re here and not in the right place, that you haven’t been able to locate the final three.”

  “I work alone.” He doesn’t so much as flinch when I take a step towards him and that’s saying something. The guy is outnumbered, and I didn’t see any backup outside when we came in. He must be one helluva brute or been through his fair share of pain to not be the least bit intimidated. Perhaps the name he’s made for himself is truly legit.

  “Color me shocked that the Devil himself is let out of New York, away from family, and you’re sent here, alone? Do you have a death wish?” I ponder as the door behind us opens and four Italians file in. They aren’t ours—I’d know.

  “You were saying? I’m rappresentante of the Vendetti famiglia, fourth in line of succession. You think I don’t have my own crew wherever I go? I have company when I fuck, and shit, even when I scout. You take me out, there’ll be a mob come running, thirsty for blood and vengeance.”

  My grin is a bit maniacal as I glance over his men and then back at Dante. I could kill those four before they could get a shot off. Uppity fuckers. “I never doubted, only wanted a bit of confirmation we weren’t alone. Enough of wasting everyone’s time. We have the locations of the final three. Perhaps we can come to a proper agreement of sorts and help each other clean up this mess.”

  “Hm,” he grumbles, fists clenching at his sides. The man is a bloody beast, one of the largest I’ve had a run-in with. I’m still not intimidated. Call me crazy, but it’s true. “What do you want for them?” He must be sick of rooting the tossers out to even ask. The Five Families are headed up by a sneaky lot. I’m not surprised he’s not located them all already.

  I gesture toward the sizeable, modern-style black boardroom table. “Shall we sit and discuss?”

  He tips his chin, agreeing, and we all move without letting our guards down. He’s on one side with his men fanned out behind his seat, and the rest of us are all sitting directly across from him. I’m not worried about his hounds doing anything; we have plenty of backup waiting for something to pop off and come running should we require them.

  I begin. “From my understanding, you’ve come to Chicago to take over for the last family, the Bottaros. Since then you’ve been silently hunting down the Five Families that head the syndicate. The Vendettis want Chicago territory, and you’re in the position to make that happen. Am I correct?”

  Dante’s expression doesn’t crack. The bloke is hard, an unemotional cement block. Our side of the table remains stony as well, waiting to see how this goes down. “You seem to have it all figured out,” he responds, sarcasm present in his tone. “What concern is it of yours what I’m doing?” His penetrating stare snaps to T. “Why should I share any of my plans? Your leader doesn’t have the respect to address me himself?” The Vendetti prince is miffed, used to being treated as royalty wherever he steps foot.

  Joker breaks his silence at being baited. “This is Maximillian’s idea to help each other reach a mutual agreement and keep the peace. I’d have just killed you, had you gotten in the way of what I want.”

  Dante’s lips snarl before settling into a smirk. I bet he’s thinking of all the ways he can murder Joker right now, but that’ll only lead to me killing him in return. This fella is used to being top of the food chain; however, here in Chicago, things aren’t as black and white. “That so? Mio fratello Capi dei capi Ruthless will be amused to hear this. I’ll be sure to pass along your message,” he threatens, keeping his voice low and even.

  I interrupt the useless cock measuring currently going on between these two. At this rate, I may as well whip mine out and prove them all wrong so we can move along. “We’re not here to make threats or start a war. We came because you want these five and their families dead. We do too…well, with exceptions. We can help put the pressure on where it needs to be.”

  “What sort of exceptions,” he grinds out. The Italian is testier than Thaddaeus is when our favorite restaurant is full. Fuck.

  With an exhale, attempting to remain calm, I say, “Number one being that you don’t attempt to kill Joker, of course. The other being you leave my fiancée’s immediate family alone as well. Her father will be voting Joker’s uncle from the table, which in return will drive him out of hiding and right into your awaiting bullets. He’s already agreed to do it. Joker has an abundance of respect in this city.”

  “Leave two of the five alive, aside from myself. Defeats the purpose of hunting them all down and killing their entire lines. One is already gone and the second will be soon enough.”

  “No. You leave Joker and his wife alive. You leave my fiancée and her father’s family alive. You take out everyone else, their families too if you’d like. Or I will, if you prefer. I’m not opposed to getting my hands dirty. What sort of bloke would I be if I didn’t offer to do my part? If it needs to be done, I can handle it.”

  He’s silent, pondering my words. At least I hope he’s thinking over them, but who the fuck knows what goes through the tosser’s mind. “Three remain at the table. Three too many,” he eventually mentions, not giving two thoughts as to offering us a touch of leeway.

  I have to hold myself back from sighing aloud and not stirring the pot. I’m not used to having to behave and it’s giving me hives. This bloody prick is going to drive me bonkers. He’s not going to make this easy on us. I cast my pissed-off gaze to Thaddaeus, gauging his reaction. He gives nothing away, not that I was expecting him to. “Then we negotiate. Leave my fiancée’s immediate family alive, but murder the re
st.”

  “No,” the barmy Vendetti barks out. “I leave her alive, not her famiglia. None of them sit at the table or they’ll wind up dead as well. Too many people have control sitting in those chairs and they don’t deserve as much.”

  “We have business interests with her father. We offer him life in return for stepping down after he brings Joker’s uncle out into the open. The only two people sitting at the table will be you and Joker when this is finished. Power will be split between two chairs only.”

  “Hm,” he grunts, not permitting any clues through as to what he’s thinking. Thank fuck this isn’t a bloody poker game. I’d be sweating. I’m not a patient man in the slightest, and Dante Vendetti clearly has no qualms with allowing people to wait until he’s good and ready.

  I can’t stop imagining myself reaching forward and slamming his head into the table. My fists clench as my temper climbs my spine, an evil disease rapidly expanding through my body, gearing up for havoc. My limbs are vibrating from the need to punish the disrespectful fuck sitting across from us and having to hold back. I’m not known for my compassion or having a level head. I should get a bonus for this shit today.

  “What can you offer me, Joker?” He releases a breath and shifts his attention back on my boss, cutting me out again. Fucking arsehole. I hope we have a chance to play when this is all said and done. I’d rather enjoy making the ogre bleed.

  “Why do I need to offer you anything?” Thaddaeus retorts just as tenacious as Dante, apparently. This is never going to end at this rate.

  “I don’t think you’ve grasped my position fully. My Capo has given his blessing for me to take my wrath out on this city. The Bottaro famiglia sat in my place at the table before. They made the dire mistake of crossing Ruthless, of threatening the safety of the Vendetti queen. I’m here to right that wrong. To rid this city of the bosses who once sat at the coveted table, giving orders they had no business making in the first place. It will happen, no matter who I have to go through and teach a lesson.”