“Antonio Borignone, that crazy fuck. Ran a tight ship though. Which families is Tom doing work for?”

“Mostly Italian American gangsters based in Brooklyn. The boys grew up together. Childhood friends. The Bonannos and Luccheses. He’s also got his own guys working under him. None of the old-timers.”

“Your boy Vincent, he knows ’em?” He ashes in a small black tray.

“Vincent doesn’t get involved in this shit. Ever.” I sit up to my full height. “My boss is completely uninvolved and always will be.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, yeah. The reformed prince. Ivy Leaguer. Builder of the famed Milestone. I know all about him.” Smoke leaves his mouth in a hard exhale, a dark smirk filling his remorseless face.

“That’s right.” My mouth is straight, but my heart secretly beats like a wild drum from within my chest.

If Vincent knew I was here …

I’ve got to go.

Sensing my unease, he says, “Wait.” He stands and exits the room, only to resurface minutes later with a baggy filled with tablets. “This shit is harder than you’re used to. I’ve got a feeling you’ll like it. And thanks for the info. You hear anything else, let me know.”

I take the bag, trying to steady my hand. This isn’t me. But it is me. It’s just for now, so I can get myself straight. I won’t be back here again.

His dark face shadows, like he knows something I don’t. “Men like us, we’re cut from the same cloth. I served, too. Saw crazy shit. Came back to a country that could never understand me. They want me to follow laws I can’t abide by. Muscle like yours is valuable to me, Slade. Working with a man like you, who understands honor in the way I understand honor, could be a real good thing for us both. If you’re going to need this on the regular, we can make a de—”

“No. This is a one-time thing.”

I flinch, my conscience screaming, Lie! It’s subtle, but the look on his face tells me he noticed.

He cackles. “Sure it is. If you want to straighten out, I can help with that, too. Show you other ways to channel those demons. Or not.”

I turn to leave the room as his voice calls out behind me, “I’ll be waiting for your call. I can get you more anytime, son.”

I don’t turn back even though my muscles pulse to knock him out.

I’m never coming back here! Never. This shit isn’t me.

But Lauren’s waiting in the car, and I need to get to her. Her face moves through my head as I become more and more frantic to get the hell out of this place and back to her.

I walk back through the party and strut directly out the door to the lot. Unlocking the car, I step inside, mind flashing back on Lion’s words to me.

“Cut from the same cloth,” he said.

NO!

“You’re an asshole!” Lauren screeches, greeting me with a yell.