Chapter 358: Chapter 142 Unholy Alliance
Nick’s POV
Finally, that incompetent excuse for a lawyer managed to secure my release from the state penitentiary. I walked out of those concrete walls earlier than anticipated, a stroke of luck thanks to that worthless public defender who somehow convinced the parole board I was reformed. Now I had all the energy and determination to settle my score with that Thorne family Capo and reclaim what was rightfully mine - my beautiful Gemma.
Nancy was waiting for me outside in her beat-up sedan, looking as desperate as always. The word on the street was that Stevie had instructed me to take some time off before sending further instructions about resuming my position in his crew. So Nancy drove me to her rundown apartment in the outer districts. I only made one stop at my mother’s place to collect my belongings and the small arsenal I’d hidden there. I couldn’t give less of a damn about that pathetic household of mine anymore.
When we arrived at Nancy’s place, I was greeted with an unexpected surprise. She had a visitor, and not just any visitor - it was the father of that wealthy mafia prince who was screwing my Gemma. Marcus Frost sat in her cramped living room like he owned the place, his expensive suit looking out of place among the secondhand furniture. I quickly realized that dysfunctional families were universal in this business, especially seeing how this exiled former soldier openly despised his own blood. But I’d learn more about his motivations after taking a long shower and spending the night reminding Nancy who she belonged to, which is exactly what I did.
The next morning, I settled on the torn couch next to the old mobster, sizing him up. Marcus Frost had the weathered look of a man who’d seen too much blood and betrayal in his decades with the Thorne organization before his exile.
"So, old timer, what’s your issue with your golden boy?" I asked bluntly, not bothering with the usual street pleasantries.
"He’s an ungrateful son who chose those Thorne bastards over his own father," he replied with remarkable simplicity, his voice carrying the gravelly tone of a lifetime smoker. "I have a proposition for you, since our objectives seem to converge toward a single target, or rather, person."
"Alright. Let’s hear it. What do you want?" One valuable lesson I’d learned from dealing with Stevie’s crew was never to waste time dancing around the point when business was involved.
"I want Gemma Valance, but don’t worry, I just want to enjoy myself with that tight little body of hers. And I want my dear son dead." Marcus spoke with such casual detachment, as if discussing something as mundane as the weather forecast. The old bastard had ice water in his veins.
"Damn, old man, you’re talking about whacking your own flesh and blood? That’s cold even for this business." I couldn’t help but laugh at his ruthlessness. Even the most hardened street thugs I knew had lines they wouldn’t cross when it came to family.
"He’s worth nothing to me alive. Dead, I inherit half of his considerable fortune from the Thorne family investments, and believe me, that Capo has accumulated serious wealth through his money laundering operations." Now this was getting interesting. I could definitely benefit from this arrangement, especially if it meant taking down Dominic Frost in the process.
"And what’s in it for me?" I needed to establish from the start that my services weren’t free. Street muscle like me didn’t work for promises and handshakes.
"A generous sum when I receive the inheritance from the family coffers."
This old fox wasn’t going to outsmart me that easily. I’d been played by too many people already.
"I want thirty percent of whatever you inherit from the Thorne organization. And don’t even think about crossing me, because if you do, you’re a dead man." I laid my cards on the table, letting him see the switchblade I kept in my jacket pocket.
"Thirty? You’re nothing but a street mercenary! Twenty," he countered, attempting to negotiate like we were discussing some legitimate business deal.
"Thirty. Non-negotiable. It’s better for you to have seventy percent with a dead son than nothing with him alive and climbing the family hierarchy." I stood my ground, knowing that desperation made men agreeable.
"Fine, thirty," he conceded after a moment’s reflection, probably calculating how much money was involved. "What do you have planned for little Gemma?"
"I just want to have my way with that gorgeous piece of ass and record it to send to your idiot son before he dies. That’ll drive him absolutely insane knowing another man claimed his woman." The thought of breaking that arrogant Capo’s spirit before ending his life filled me with satisfaction.
"That’s all you want?" Marcus asked, showing unexpected reasonableness for a man plotting his son’s murder.
"That’s all. Well, I mean, I want to enjoy her more than once. Girl like that deserves proper attention." The old man smiled knowingly, and I understood why; Gemma was undeniably the most beautiful woman in Port Serenity.
"Deal. But you’ll only get your turn after me. First, I want to relive some memories with that sweet young body." I established the hierarchy immediately so Marcus would know who was calling the shots in this partnership.
"Fine by me. But there’s one more thing." I knew it was too straightforward to be this simple.
"What now?" I snorted, irritated by yet another condition in what should have been a simple arrangement.
"That annoying Nancy wants to get with Dominic for his money and status in the organization. She could become problematic if she decides to warn him about our plans." Marcus warned me, confirming my suspicions that the bitch was scheming behind my back, probably hoping to trade up from street trash to mafia royalty.
"Don’t worry about that. We’ll take care of Nancy too once she’s served her purpose as our inside information source." I was already contemplating her elimination anyway, as she knew too much about my business dealings and had become a liability.
Marcus laughed with genuine satisfaction. I was beginning to like him - as evil as the devil himself and twice as cunning. We’d make an effective team against the Thorne family. Perhaps after we eliminated Dominic, I could find my own place in the organization’s power structure.
Nancy arrived at that moment, visibly displeased and carrying a bag of groceries. She had left early to gather intelligence about Gemma’s current location, since that smart girl had changed her phone number and moved apartments after the restraining order.
"So, dear Nancy, what news do you bring about our target?" I asked eagerly, noting how she avoided eye contact with both Marcus and me.
"That slut, your precious ex-girlfriend, went on some romantic weekend getaway with her Capo boyfriend and they haven’t returned to the city yet." Nancy was clearly in a foul mood, probably jealous that Gemma was living the high life while she remained stuck in this dump.
"When are they coming back to Port Serenity?" I pressed. This idiot couldn’t provide complete intelligence at once; I had to keep questioning her like she was some amateur.
"I don’t know exactly, they were supposed to be back by now, but someone in their group fell ill and they extended their trip to some private estate."
"Who got sick?" I insisted, needing every detail for our planning.
"I don’t know the specifics. I couldn’t discover anything else without raising suspicion." Nancy was fuming, and now I understood it was because watching Dominic Frost’s lavish lifestyle made her realize what she was missing.
"Getting nervous about your chances with the Capo, little Nancy?" I taunted, enjoying her obvious discomfort.
"Don’t push me, Nick!" She was genuinely irritated, probably realizing her dreams of mafia queen status were slipping away.
"You know what helps with stress?" I grabbed her hair forcefully, asserting dominance. "A good fuck! And look, we’ve got two experienced men here. What do you think, Marcus? Interested in a little celebration of our new partnership?"
"I’m always up for some recreational activity." The old gangster’s interest was quickly piqued, his eyes gleaming with predatory hunger.
"Then let’s begin. We’re going to thoroughly wreck this bitch today before we move on to bigger targets."
I threw Nancy onto the sagging couch and started tearing off her cheap dress. She protested initially, but eventually surrendered to the inevitable pleasure of our three-way encounter, her moans echoing through the thin apartment walls as we celebrated our unholy alliance.
