Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 914 : Banked Rage

*Leo*

I stayed with my men at the drop off point that was Hit the night before. I never made it home. Truth was, I didn’t want to go home. This was almost preferable to fighting with Bianca again. That was why I just didn’t answer the damn phone when she called the first time.

I was weary of fighting and tired of feeling like the bad guy. Was I the bad guy in this situation? I honestly didn’t know the answer to that question. All I knew was Bianca had lied, and I didn’t know why.

This time when she called, I answered because I had an inkling she wouldn’t stop calling if I didn’t. I answered the phone as if I didn’t know who she was. Her voice was soft and sweet.

My chest ached with the sound of it. But then my mind flashed back to when we argued. I remembered her eyes. They had shifted away from mine, and I’d known she was lying.

Why? What was the point of lying to me about a damn doctor’s appointment? What was she hiding from me? I couldn’t understand.

Bianca had never been secretive before. Since our relationship began, she hadn’t played games. Now, suddenly, it was a different story.

I didn’t have time for that bullshit. I couldn’t make time for her apologies. I was brisk and surly with her. I was still mad from the lies and the fights and I was purely exhausted.

I’d heard her gasp when I told her I didn’t have time for her. I hated it myself and that moment for making her think she didn’t matter to me, but the truth was I really didn’t have time to stop and talk with her and apologize for my part in the argument last night.

I could only answer the phone so she’d know I was fine. She was probably worried about me more than anything.

I hadn’t meant to spend all night at the site, but time had gotten away from me with all the phone calls, clean up once the scene was released, and all the so-called interviews with the fucking cops.

I think I was angrier than I should’ve been. With all the shit going on with the LA mafia and trying to find Michael.

I was taking my anger and frustration out on Bianca. I knew I shouldn’t be, but I couldn’t help it. She made a pretty handy target when she stood in front of me and lied.

My wrath was endless these days, not only with her but with everything. I was still upset about the lying. From the beginning, I felt like shit when I lied to her. Having her staring me in my face and boldface lying to me last night was asinine.

For some reason, I couldn’t seem to get past that. I felt like such a hypocrite, though, because I’d habitually lied to her for months. When she’d found out about the lies, she hadn’t batted an eye. All she’d done was love me.

Now, I felt like the biggest jackass this side of Texas. Maybe I could make it up to her later. Because right now, I didn’t have time to try and call her back and make amends. I didn’t even have time to be hating myself as much as I did right now. Franky was coming my way with his report and news.

Franky had this all knowing and smooth way of moving when he had news. I don’t know what it was.

There was a different energy about him. He was always a smooth customer. The only time I’d seen him a little nervous was when Elio had invited him to be a part of his wedding.

Franky was all for protecting the family, its name, and its enterprises.

He wasn’t interested in being polite or being welcomed to family dinners. He was into being a businessman, an enforcer, and keeping the men in line.

Today, his movements were somewhat more frenetic. His gate was slightly faster, and his eyes were bright with excitement. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

I damn near ran to him to find out what he’d learned. This miniscule show of emotion from Frankie was new, and I knew it had to be important and possibly net us Michael just the way I wanted.

“Hey, man, how you doing?” Franky said, clapping hands with me.

“Tired as fuck,” I answered, rubbing my hand over my face.

“Figured. You been here all night,” Franky acknowledged, and gave the men an up nod in greeting.

“What’s up? I know you got something otherwise you wouldn’t have tracked me down.”

Those dark eyes looked at me, and the intensity and excitement transferred to me, giving me a boost.

“We got ourselves a hell of a lead thanks to the men working around the clock all night. Niko out of Compton did us a solid.”

“I know him. He’s working his way up the ranks.”

“Yeah, well, I say we give him a higher position for this one. The little fuck got a hit on one of the trackers they used.”

“Yeah?” I asked, sounding like one of our teenagers, all happy and shit.

“My exact reaction when he came to me with it. The car was left abandoned at a nearby depot .”

“Fascinating,” I muttered.

“Oh, fuck off, Leo. This is the good part,” Franky said, pulling something from his breast pocket.

I watched him unfold a map on one of the empty shelves in the warehouse. I was starting to get it. The men had really done their jobs this time. If I was reading things right, that map had a few places we could look for Michael and his crew.

Michael had really pushed his luck. Not that all the other times he hadn’t. He’d deliberately involved others in our war this time.

The LA Family didn’t seem to have an inkling of what discretion meant. They acted like none of us could be sent up for the shit they pulled. The cops didn’t like cleaning up our messes any more than we did.

They didn’t want to have to answer to the brass for gang activity they weren’t keeping under control. They couldn’t stop it. Nobody could do that, but they could at least get in an arrest here and there.

Now, half the damn country knew there were gang wars going on in the city because the LA Family were idiots. It was dumb to call in the press.

I didn’t appreciate having my mug on the evening news, and if I had anything to say about it, Michael’s was going to be on there for a very different reason very soon.

“There are five possible points they could have their hideout on this map.”

“That narrows it down a hell of a lot more than the whole fucking city, so I’m ecstatic. Why do you sound like you don’t like this new development?”

“I don’t know. I’m wondering if they’re leading us around by the balls. What if this was a plant?”

“Don’t talk bad luck up, Franky. We already have enough of it. Let’s keep a clear head. And, dare I say, hope for the best?”

“You know, that’s what I like about you, Leo. Even when you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop, you’re always so optimistic, like a puppy. Didn’t your Mama ever teach you life wasn’t fair?”

I grinned at him and patted him on the back.

“I didn’t have one, so nothing but life taught me that it wasn’t fair, but it doesn’t hurt overly much to hope a bit.”

Franky shook his head at me, and we spent some time looking over the map he had with him.

“Were there any other points on the tracker?” I asked, wondering if perhaps there were other points we could look at if these didn’t pan out.

“Yeah, they’re the ones marked in green. The five red dots are the most plausible places.”

“Good work, and bring Niko to me when you think he’s really ready for a promotion.”

“Will do.”

“Which of the men do you think are best for recon on this?” I asked, knowing Franky knew the men better than I did.

While I kept an eye out for promotions and keeping the day-to-day operations in my mind, Franky spent more time with the men than I did.

I knew everything that went on in my organization from the lowest positions of maid or runner to the top tiers of my business. I also knew I couldn’t do it all. A good leader delegated.

I made sure everybody was taken care of and paid well. I tried to make sure no one was so unhappy they’d turn to betrayal.

It was why I hadn’t gotten over Manny’s treachery. I still wondered why he turned on us and gave up vital information. While I knew his perfidy was on his part, I felt responsible.

I had to make sure my men and women were happy with us, so they’d never try shit like that ever again. This war was turning into a bloodbath, and it had to stop. That was on me as their leader. I was supposed to keep them safe. I had to make sure my people were cared for from every baby to each of my top soldiers.

I thought of that now as Franky looked around the warehouse we were in.

“Jason, Renaldo, Ray, Jacob, and Ced,” Franky called out to the men he recommended for this assignment.

He knew I wouldn’t object to his choices. Like I said, he knew who was better for this than I did. I trusted his judgment.

The men started walking to us. They were all quiet and subdued. Just like I’d lost men tonight, they’d lost friends and brothers. They were just as heartsick and angry as I was.

For a moment, I questioned Franky’s judgment. Maybe he’d made a mistake by choosing men from this drop off point. They were too close to this. They were grieving, and grief did things to a man’s thought patterns and ability to reason.

Then, I thought about how I’d feel if I were left out of the loop. It would be good for the men to actually be doing something to avenge their fellow soldiers.

As the men strolled over to us, I nodded at Franky.

“This is the location we need to scope out,” Franky started. The men were all attentive and ready for their assignments.

“I don’t need you going off halfcocked. I want you to recon only. I don’t need or want heroes or villains. No shootouts! No mouthing off or going inside the locations you’re assigned to. Surveillance only, you feel me?” I asked, giving each of the men direct eye contact.

I didn’t want them getting killed from an impulsive act in the name of justice or vengeance. We needed a plan, and shooting up half of LA wasn’t my idea of justice or revenge. Nor was it a good plan.

A couple faces developed suspicious red splotches, as that was exactly what they had in mind.

“We don’t know if these are the actual hit points. That’s why you are meant to watch only,” Franky added his voice to mine. “Don’t fuck this up. You were chosen because you’re the least likely to be hot heads or start shooting without a real target. Please for the love of God don’t make a liar of me. If you feel like you can’t handle this assignment, tell me now. No judgment, no worries, we’ll just send you to a different post. “

Jacob raised his hand like a school boy.

Franky nodded at him to ask his question.

“You sure you’re alright with this, Boss? I’m one of the reasons this happened.”

“You’re not to blame, Jacob. We’ll hunt down and deal with who is. All we need to know is if you can handle this,” I assured him.

“Sure, Boss, I can handle it,” Jacob said, his voice calm but his dark eyes blazed with withheld fury.

I totally understood his banked rage. Everybody else nodded that they were good with their assignments and they were off to take up their posts.

“I’m determined to locate Michael this time and end this,” I told Franky, as we watched our men take off for their tasks.

“Yeah, I think the men are too. Everybody’s tired of this mess.”

I nodded my agreement. “Thank you for your diligence,” I said.

“It’s my job. I’ll get the rest of the report to you as I learn more. I just wanted to get this to you first.”

“Good man,” I said, slapping Franky’s shoulder.

Now, it was time for me to go home to my woman and give her a proper apology.