Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Carbone’s not a problem anymore.” He rests his forehead against mine. “God, Deanna, I’m so sorry I didn’t get here sooner.”
“Doesn’t this mean Fontana’s going to know?”
“He’ll suspect, but I’m guessing he’s got bigger problems. Really, baby, I never should’ve—“
“Stop it. You’re going to start blaming yourself for something that isn’t your fault. I should’ve gone right inside, and even if I did, Carbone could’ve just knocked on the door.”
“What if I had waited?”
“Then he would’ve waited too. Just stop it, okay? I’m safe. My parents will be fine.”
“They got a corpse in their basement. I’m not sure fine applies here.”
“Fine enough.” I kiss him again, holding him tight. “I love you. Thanks for coming back.”
“Always.”
“This means you can’t keep waiting, though.”
“No, no more bleeding them. Fontana should be weak enough.”
I nod, closing my eyes. I know what he means, and I know what he’s going to do. It kills me, but I can’t stop it. How could I take that away from him? The revenge he needs?
It won’t make him whole, but at least it’ll stop him wondering.
“Promise you’ll come home. That’s all I care about.”
“I swear, baby, no more one-way-tickets. I have a reason to look forward to tomorrow now.” He kisses me again. “I’ll come home.”
I breathe deep to steady myself before pulling away. He thumbs at my eyes and wipes the tears up. “Guess you have some cleaning to do.”
“Hell of a way to meet your parents.”
“Not ideal.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll win them over.” His smile is so charming it’s maddening. “Moms always love me.”
CHAPTER 36
PRIME
Marco Carbone’s corpse splashes into the Delaware, down south beyond where the Schuylkill dumps into the tidal reaches. It bobs once, briefly, before sinking beneath the dark water, in the deepest part of the river, far from anywhere he might be found.
“Hope you fucking rot in hell,” I murmur, all the ceremony Carbone will ever get.
The sun begins to rise as I boat back to my launch off Kelly Drive. It’s a beautiful view, a crisp morning, a good time to wash myself of this fresh hell. I think about Deanna, the terror in her eyes, her family beaten half to death. Anger flares, but not so bright. Carbone’s already drifting away toward the ocean. He got what he deserved.
I anchor and tie off. Stellan’s waiting at the end of the dock with two coffees. I accept one and drink deeply. “When’s the last time you went on body disposal duty yourself?” he asks casually as we walk toward the path that winds back into the city.
“Not that long ago. A couple years back.”
“You’re getting soft.”
“Ah, go to hell. You’re a paper-pusher these days, boss.”
Stellan laughs good-naturedly and gestures toward the Art Museum. “You know, I love this part of the city. It’s not authentic Philly. It’s not the parts we grew up in. This is the tourist shit. But it’s the best of us.”
“Hope that’s not true.”
“Come on, look at this place. Filled with treasures and life and people.”
“I prefer the back alleys. I like the streets stinking with fresh bread early in the morning as the old bakers do their thing.”
“Less and less of those these days.”
I stop at a street corner. “You meet me this early to talk about how the city’s changing?”
He gazes toward the big buildings downtown and sighs. “That’s the thing though. It’s always changing, and it’s going to change even more. Did you hear how many men have flocked over from the Fontana outfit yet?”
“Last I heard it was around ten or so.”
“Now we’re up to twenty. Three Capos too, big shots, all complaining they hadn’t gotten paid out in full for months. Your friend Alfonso’s bringing them to me in fucking droves.”
“You trust them?”
“I don’t trust anyone, you know that, but they want to start earning again. We’ll put them somewhere safe.” He glances at me sidelong. “Maybe you could deal with it.”
I rub the back of my head. “This is my punishment, isn’t it?”
“Among other things, yes. You’re going to make sure these Fontana fuckers aren’t a problem. You’re going to weed out the ones who make trouble and promote the ones who are serious. Do it on merit.”
“Is there any other way?”
“There are too many fucking ways.”
The light changes and we start moving again. I catch sight of Stellan’s bodyguards keeping their distance, acting like regular guys out for a walk, but I know their faces. I wonder what it’s like, never being alone. He probably hates it. He would’ve despised it back in the day.
Stellan’s a good man though, even if he is dumping a pile of shit in my lap.
I more than earned it.
“I need to ask you something.” We’re getting closer to the Parkway now. More people are out. Bikers glide past, joggers stomp along. A young mom pushes her baby in a stroller at a power walk. Ahead, crowds are already forming around the Rocky statue.