Ch-15
The dark alley remains deathly silent, save for the distant hum of the city. Silvio Caruso stands still, Ethan Aviel’s gun trained on him. The body of the dead man lies cooling at their feet.
Silvio Caruso
(calmly)You sure you want to do this, Aviel?
Ethan Aviel (ml)
(icy)I don’t want to do anything, Caruso. But I will if you don’t start talking.
Silvio’s smirk flickers. He eyes Ethan’s gun, then exhales slowly, as if weighing his options.
Silvio Caruso
Fine. But let’s be smart about this. You want answers? Lower the damn gun, and I’ll tell you what you want to know.
Ethan doesn’t move. The seconds stretch between them, taut like a wire about to snap.
Ethan Aviel (ml)
(low voice)I don’t trust you.
Silvio Caruso
(grinning)Smart man.
Ethan tightens his grip, ready for any sudden moves. Silvio may be reckless, but he’s not stupid. If he’s playing a double game, Ethan needs to know who he’s playing for.
Ethan Aviel (ml)
Who was he?
He jerks his chin toward the corpse.
Silvio Caruso
(shrugging)Some idiot who thought he could cross the Adler family. I handled it. Problem solved.
Ethan Aviel (ml)
You weren’t following orders.
Silvio tilts his head, amused.
Silvio Caruso
What makes you so sure?
Ethan steps closer, his voice a cold whisper.
Ethan Aviel (ml)
Because Georgie May Adler doesn’t keep secrets from me. If she wanted him dead, I would’ve known.
Silvio’s smirk finally fades. A flicker of something—doubt, calculation—crosses his face. Ethan sees it.
Silvio Caruso
(quietly)You really think you know everything she does?
Ethan’s eyes darken. His patience is razor-thin.
Ethan Aviel (ml)
I know enough. Now tell me—who the hell are you working with?
Silence. For a moment, it seems like Silvio won’t answer. Then, he leans in just slightly, voice dropping lower.
Silvio Caruso
Not who. What.
Silvio lets out a slow breath, choosing his words carefully.
Silvio Caruso
There’s something bigger moving, Aviel. You feel it, don’t you? The way Moretti’s men are stirring. The way deals are being made behind closed doors.
Ethan doesn’t react, but his mind is already connecting the dots. He has noticed the shift. The unease. And if Silvio is right—
Ethan Aviel (ml)
(dangerously soft)You’re saying there’s another player on the board.
Silvio Caruso
(nodding)And they’re making their move.
Ethan lowers his gun. Just slightly. His instincts scream that Silvio is still hiding something—but for now, he needs to know more.
Ethan Aviel (ml)
Start talking.
Comments