Miles Away (Carrion #1)(38)
“Try it, f*cker. See what happens,” Miles said in a no bullshit tone.
Much to Miles’s amusement, the Cadillac rolled on past, disappearing in the shadows of Downtown Carrion. Breaking his glare, Miles turned and walked back to Corina where Letty was waiting with bated breath.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“THERE ARE THREE things that you need to know about Miles Capadonno… so you better listen up,” Michael Capadonno said in a hushed voice, his thick accent fighting through.
Huddled in a circle by the blazing fire of the war room, Salvatore “Six” DiBlase, Anthony Schiabetta and Benny “Big Bang” Mancini filled up their arm chairs as their eyes peered at Michael with anticipation rank in their gaze. The fire illuminated his face, showing off old scars and battle wounds, his sunken eye sockets giving him the appearance of a ghost rather than a man who still drew breath. Clenching the arms of his chair, Michael prepared to give his men some key knowledge that they needed to take Miles out. He had no intentions of helping his son. Not when Miles was planning on getting revenge on the fifteen men who conspired to take him out seventeen years ago. Miles never issued a threat. It was automatically assumed that a Capadonno who was falsely imprisoned would be ready to raise hell.
“Go on, Butch…” Benny “Big Bang” Mancini urged, as he listened with broad eyes.
“Number one,” Michael said as he held up his pinky finger. “He’s strong. He’s probably the strongest guy I know. His brute strength only intensifies with rage. He’s mentally smart, too. Prison failed to break his mind. Intimidation from our guys on the inside didn’t break down his courage. Miles is not a guy you want to get on the wrong side of.”
“Yeah, well, boss, neither are we!” Anthony Schiabetta reminded Michael.
Michael laughed at Anthony and shook his head.
“It’s that kind of attitude that is gonna get you killed. Miles is not someone you want to f*ck with.”
“Ant’ny! Shut up!” Big Bang said as he slapped the back of Anthony’s head. “Sorry, boss, go on.”
Michael shook his head in disgust as he continued, “Number two. Miles is smart. He scored at f*ckin’ 1450 on his SATs and if his street life hadn’t caught up to him, Miles would have gone to Princeton.”
“Princeton? Fuck…” Six said in surprise.
“For what? Being a f*ckin’ flake?” Anthony complained. His father had told him all too well about the night that Miles didn’t show. A made man was executed because of his slight.
Lifting his eyebrows, Michael had a serious look on his face. “He was going for Forensic Science.”
“Joining the opposing team, huh?” Big Bang said as he examined his watch.
Michael shrugged. “You know he’s never told me shit. I got all this from his mother before she passed, may God bless her soul.”
At Michael’s words, Anthony kissed the cross that was hanging from his neck. Big Bang closed his eyes as he appeared to say a silent prayer. Six blessed himself as his eyes darted to the ceiling. Don’t mistake their actions for being devout—it was all an act to stay on Michael’s good side. Despite the fact that Sonny wanted them to run jobs while Andie Cormack was on her death bed, Michael poised himself as the saint. Heads would roll if Miles saw the exchange.
“Number three…” Michael said as he held up three fingers. “Miles has lost everyone that has ever meant anything to him. Don’t get me wrong… He cares about his brothers and sisters. But the women he loved are gone. Letty isn’t gonna go for an ex-con… You can f*ckin’ forget about that… and Miles’s mother is not coming back. Miles has no ties. He has nothing holding him down. That makes him a very dangerous man.”
“I ain’t scared!” Anthony declared as he stared up at Michael.
With a dark look setting in his eyes, Michael glared back at Anthony and said, “Maybe you should be.”
“What’s the game plan, then, boss?” Big Bang asked.
“Well… Ruin owed me a favor. Him and an associate are out running interference ’til we figure out what the f*ck is going on. In the meantime somebody go find Fish and Dante, they need to be dealt with. Tell everybody to be here at midnight. This can’t wait anymore.”
“Did you decide on your appointment?”
“Appointment?”
“Yeah, who’s gonna sit in your chair?” Big Bang asked. He thought that’s what this little gathering was all about.
“Oh, yeah,” Michael said as he took a puff of his cigar. Blowing a smoke screen in his men’s faces, Michael replied, “I’ve got that all figured out.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT all about?” Letty demanded to know as Miles lowered himself into the car. Her eyes were wide as she stared up at Miles waiting for an answer.
“Nothing, Letty. Please don’t worry,” Miles said, dismissing Letty’s concerns.
Holding up a hand, Letty wasn’t trying to hear “nothing.” She knew what nothing meant when spoken by a Capadonno.
“Be straight up with me, Miles. That’s the only way this is gonna work,” Letty said, her eyes snapped on Miles’s face.