20 Angelo

Angelo's car slowed to a stop as he arrived at the port, he could smell the salty air and hear the seagulls scream loud above his head. He placed his phone away and got out of the car, glancing at the vast grey sea in front of him. The wind whipped at his body.

Raven was his escape at moments like this when he had to be a different man. Not her man, no she could never see this side of him, she may have some small idea of what he does but he never wanted her to see the ugly and dark side of his work

Raven could only walk in the light, and he was destined for the dark. He knew he was selfish for pulling her into his world. But he could not help himself now, he had thought she was gone, this was his second and only chance.

She yanked as his conscience and his goodness, something a man like him shouldn't have.

His Muma, God rest her soul had always told him that they needed the good to cancel out the bad. His Muma and Raven were both innocent and good.

Unlike his father he would not snatch away her light until it diminished instead, he would put Raven on a pedestal and let her goodness shine.

Hearing car tires arrive behind him his thoughts paused.

Doors opened and closed behind him and two sets a boots crunched the gravel under foot.

He turned and saw Luca and Lorenzo.

Lorenzo or Ren had yet to prove his loyalty. Today he would see what happens to rats.

Killian had set the stage inside.

"Let's go." Angelo turned and unbuttoned his suit as he walked towards the warehouse in front of him. It was time for business.

Luca flanked his side and opened the warehouse doors for him.

Teasingly he asked, "You would think you would have better places to be."

Angelo replied curtly, "I do only I knew between you and Killian this guy may die before we get any information on the rat."

A figure hung from chains, suspended by his arms and his head hung low. The salt air gone and only the tang of blood in the air.

A puddle of blood below the man and skin on the floor.

Killian had done a good job as usual, but he gave no names but maybe Ren and the man in the same room may give some insight.

Angelo pulled up his chair and sat back.

"Wake him." He uttered.

Luca approached a work bench just to the left of the hanging man and reached for a Taser before placing it against the man's neck.

After two shocks the man woke with a start wheezing and cursing.

Angelo smirked and inclined his head towards Ren as he said, "Ren this man was caught with our stolen shipment, if this is what a lackey gets what do you think I will do to a rat?" He didn't look in his direction, but he saw Ren take a small step away in his peripheral vision.

The man hanging in front of them had passed out again due to loss of blood. But Ren's slight movement was enough to confirm his beliefs that Ren was working with his uncle.

Angelo glanced at Luca and saw he shared his thoughts.

Angelo stood turned to Ren, he pulled out his gun from its holster just under his arm.]

Ren backed up again, "Boss." He asked pleading.

"Oh, am I your boss now... I smell a rat. Do you Luca?" Angelo sneered.

He wouldn't kill him though he needed proof. He also could not spook his uncle.

"Rats and blood is all I can smell boss." Luca added.

Angelo stalked Ren until he had him backed up against the warehouse wall.

His breathing increased, good Angelo thought. He was scared. Angelo ran the gun over Ren's temple.

Ren blinked a few times, "Wait… wait." He closed his eyes.

Angelo glared at him, "You sit at my table like a friend and steal like a foe the next. I thought you wanted family, men you can have as brothers." Angelo sneered. He hated rats they were poison that needed to be extracted.

But not yet he thought.

"I do. I do. I have something though. I will tell you everything." Ren added.

He was bulkier than Angelo, but they were both eye to eye now. "I don't think you have anything to offer me now. I can find out the rest myself." Angelo said taking a step back and pointing his gun at Ren's head.

"The girl. Raven." Ren shouted.

Angelo's eyes flared in warning. "Say it or I will kill you now."

"Carlos joked about her being back here again. I didn't know who she was, he got drunk and told me that your father and he had both taken out her parents. "Ren quickly rambled out the words as sweat drenched from his temple.

Angelo gripped the gun and took a step back. The shock washing over him.

His father and uncle had no boundaries no allies, it should not surprise him and yet it did.

Angelo heard footsteps behind him, Luca was standing by his side.

"Go on." Luca asked.

"I don't know everything just she was their kid and now she was back he was joking about tying up loose ends." Seeing Angelo's eyes flare with fury Ren quickly added. "You can't kill me he tells me everything. I can update you."

"What about the bomb and the shipments?" Luca enquired.

"All Carlos. He wants to be head; doesn't think you should have power. "Ren added trying to prove his worth.

Angelo stepped up nose to nose with Ren, "You tell me everything. You leave anything out and I will let Killian do what every he wants with you. It will be long and excruciating."

Angelo felt Luca's hand rest on his shoulder before walking out of the warehouse and heading for his car.

They had left Ren to think things over with the man hanging in the warehouse. He was to dispose of the rat so he knew what would happen to him after he had been dealt with.

Luca sighed, "Are you going to tell her?" He asked.

Angelo glared at the sea line in front of him, "Tell her my father and uncle killed your parents but hey can you still marry me and love me?"

Angelo darkly sighed, "This is going to kill us both."

His chance at happiness might truly be gone. He had killed his father for poisoning his mother years ago, put a bullet in his forehead. He had no idea that the man could still stop his future happiness.

Luca nodded, "Yea but if you don't tell her and she finds out…" Luca left the words hanging in the air.

Angelo nodded and headed for his car; his friend was right.