Miles Away (Carrion #1)(19)

As Michael Capadonno hung up the phone a feeling of dread flooded Letty’s body. In that moment, as she looked at Michael, her heart ached for Miles.





CHAPTER SIX




BACHMAN TURNER Overdrive’s song “Let It Ride” cranked from Corina’s speakers as Miles jetted up a boring stretch of the Black Horse Pike. Landon sat quietly next to Miles, appearing to be content, as he gazed out his window at the passing scenery. Occasionally, Landon glanced over at Miles and asked a random question.

I figure it’s all a lot to take in, and who the f*ck knows what kind of garbage my lunatic relatives fed into his brain for the last seventeen years. He’s a cocky little shit, but the kid seems to be genuine. I need people like that in my life. I know as soon as I walk into Castle f*ckin’ Capadonno that I’ll be hit with a wall of bullshit.

Tapping his hands on the steering wheel along with the beat, Miles hummed along to the song. Landon started to sing along.

I sound terrible. Seriously, dying cats have better vocal skills than I do, but the kid don’t sound half bad. No surprise there. My mother had a beautiful song voice.

When the song ended? Landon blurted out, “What the hell, man! You’re goin’ the wrong way!”

Rolling his eyes, Miles gave the kid a sideways look.

“I may have been locked in a f*cking sardine can for the majority of your years, but trust me, I know exactly where I am. I know Jersey like the back of my goddamn hand. Nothing but jug handles, big hair, malls and picket f*ckin’ fences.”

“Well, ex-cuuuse me!” Landon said throwing his hands up in the air. “Mr. Big Shot needs no help at all!”

Clearing his throat, Miles saw that the opportunity for a conversation he wanted to have with the kid fell right into his lap.

“Actually, kid… I wouldn’t go that far…” Miles said cryptically. Miles could feel the weight of the kid’s stare on him. Miles had Landon’s full, undivided attention.

“Oh, no?” Landon asked. Miles could tell by Landon’s tone of voice that he knew that he had a favor to ask him.

“No. Walking into the lion’s den, I could use one person on my side…” Miles explained.

“I got your back…” Landon said a little too easily.

A grin grew from Miles’s lips as he peered over at the kid.

With Landon, what you see is what you get. Sometimes that’s not such a bad quality to have. True f*cking blue.

“Here’s the thing, though…” Miles continued. “If it’s obvious that you have my back, they will turn on you.”

“Huh?” Landon asked, with a clearly confused look on his face.

“Exactly what I said. If they know you have my back, they will eat you alive. Just keep your eyes open for me. If you hear that someone is trying to take me out, give me a heads up.”

“I can do that…” Landon said again in a sincere voice.

“I have another favor to ask,” Miles said, hoping he wasn’t pressing his luck with this kid’s loyalty.

“What’s that?”

“Prep me. What the f*ck am I walking into?”

“I don’t think I know what you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb, Landon…Uncle Sonny was Boss when I went in on the inside. His brain is f*cking wracked. Dementia and shit. Who is acting boss?”

Landon let out a heavy sigh.

“I’m not supposed to talk about this shit. I don’t get involved, and they are already on my ass about that.”

“Kid, you’re gonna have to learn to trust me.”

“I do, but—”

“But what?”

“I’m not a cugine! I’m not associated. I, for lack of a better term, opted out.”

Miles snarled at the word cugine. It was a tongue in cheek reference to the stereotypical wise guy. Track suit wearing, gold chains, shit slinging tough guy with mob ties. Landon most certainly was not a cugine.

“The old man let you opt out?”

“Surprisingly, yes.”

Miles gave Landon a look of speculation. There was something that he was missing. He was never given such a reprieve. It was serve or die. Uphold the Capadonno family name and honor, or accept your fate.

Had the old man gotten soft? Or is he hiding something?

Landon, seeing the look of pain in Miles’s eyes, continued, “I know you were set up. I know Uncle Sonny had a hit out on you… but I don’t know why. Knox always played you up to be a weasel, but I know better.”

Miles’s hands clenched the wheel, his knuckles turning white at the sound of the name Knox. Bringing Corina screeching into the elbow, Miles turned his sights towards Landon.

“Knox is the motherf*ckin’ weasel!” Miles screamed, putting his fingers in the kid’s face.

Landon stared up at Miles with big, wide eyes and a look of innocence that Miles himself had never possessed in his life.

“Shit. Sorry,” Miles said sheepishly, feeling bad for snapping on the kid.

“You got anger problems, dude,” Landon said as the shocked look faded from his face.

“My bad. I’ve been in the f*cking can for something I didn’t do. Crucify me for being a little f*cking pissed off.”

“Try again. Be calm… I deal with enough crazy shit at home.”