The Wild Wolf Pup (Zoe's Rescue Zoo #9)(21)

“What the fuck is this, Vic?”

“Relax,” I soothe. “That’s why you’re here, for me to explain.”

“Bianci, always a pleasure,” Rocco sneers, his gaze never wavering under Anthony’s scrutiny.

He’s perfect.

Anthony pulls out the chair and sinks into it, crossing his arms against his chest, covering the Xonerated logo branded to his shirt.

“You said I was here because you had a message for Jack,” he started, tipping his chin toward Rocco. “He have anything to do with that?”

“He is the message you will bring to Jack Parrish’s doorstep,” I explain, cocking my head to the side as I stare back at him.

“What?”

I opened my mouth but Rocco leaned forward, tapping his hand against the edge of the table, beckoning Anthony’s attention.

“Let me clarify for you. You will bring me to the Satan’s Knights compound and introduce me to my new ally as I am now the boss of the Pastore family.”

Anthony’s eyes divert back to me.

“You’re shitting me, right?”

“Problem?” Rocco challenges.

“Yeah, motherfucker, there’s a problem,” Anthony hisses. “What the fuck is going on, Vic? I thought this was done, I thought the organization was null and void.”

“You thought wrong,” Rocco declares.

“I’m not talking to you, motherfucker,” Anthony barks, slamming his fist against the table.

“You better control yourself, Bianci,” Rocco warns.

“Enough,” I interrupt. “Anthony, Rocco has already sat down with the five families. It’s done. He will control all aspects of the organization. You really didn’t think I would sit back and watch people pick apart my empire; just let them have at it, did you? I thought you knew me better than that,” I accuse.

“I’m not understanding, Vic,” Anthony says, gritting his teeth as he runs his fingers through his slicked back hair. “After you went away, Jimmy became the acting boss,” he started, pointing a finger at Rocco, “Where was he?”

“I knew before everyone, before I even turned myself in that Jimmy had gone against me, that he was working with the G-Man even before Val’s death. After the shoot-out at Temptations, when Adrianna pulled that trigger, I had to make changes. My family couldn’t go on suffering for my crimes. Then Nikki was kidnapped by Deke Rogers and Mikey was shot and nearly killed. I went to Rocco and told him I was turning myself in. I told him what Jimmy had done, that he had a hand in killing my underboss and that I had to still get the G-Man.” I pause, taking in the shocked expression on his face. Ah, you got to love the element of surprise.

“It was all part of the plan, Anthony. I went to Rocco before they cuffed me in Florida and after he took his oath I turned myself in. I let Jimmy dig his hole deeper and deeper, bided my time and Rocco’s, giving him an opportunity to know my organization like the back of his hand. It’s time for him to reign now, especially with me being transferred to the G-Man.”

Anthony remained silent.

“You’re going to take Rocco to Jack, make sure the alliance we have with the club carries over with Rocco as the boss. Rocco will run the family with the same values and earn Jack’s respect just like I did. Now, I’ve given Jack and the club control over some of my interests but other than that, Rocco will run things from now on. Jack knows Rocco is in the business but he doesn’t know he’s taking over my organization and that he is now the boss of the Pastore family. The Pastore family isn’t going under like everyone assumed it would.”

“This is bullshit,” Anthony seethes.

“Why don’t you say it, man? You’re only grief with Vic’s decision is that he chose me instead of you,” Rocco accuses.

Anthony snaps his head and glares at Rocco.

“Know what the fuck you’re talking about before you speak. It was my choice to leave this life, mine and mine alone.”

“Right, and you got the out that nobody gets. You got to walk away and claim a life for yourself. You got a fucking family, man, a beautiful family…you don’t need to be in my shoes,” Rocco says. “I don’t have what you do. I’ve got no one that stands a chance at getting hurt by the choices I make. The only life I’m responsible for is my own.”

Anthony balls his fists as he digests Rocco’s words for a moment before turning his gaze back to me.

“You’re slick, Vic. Always have been and always will be I suppose,” he mutters.

“And don’t you forget it,” I tell him, leaning back in my chair. “Which leads me to the next order of business, I didn’t forget about you or Michael for that matter. —You’ll always need protection and the Satan’s Knights can only do so much. The club has their own enemies they have to worry about and can’t always be relied upon to take care of what’s mine. Rocco will provide protection to both of you as well as your families for a legit place within the organization,” I reveal.

“Adrianna will kill me if I go back, Vic. I can’t do that to her, I won’t do that to her and I won’t do that to my kids—”

“I’m not offering you your old place back. I’d never do that,” I interrupt. “Someone will have to run the contracts for the docks and I want that someone to be you. I’ve set Michael up to be the foreman in the local union, Rocco will make sure the union is covered and all jobs they bid on they’ll get.”