Stone Walls by A.M. Madden Read Free Book Online Page A

He’s also a capo who once worked for Volante. He was very loyal to Volante. Once Politto took over, Razzo suddenly pledged allegiance to his new boss, committing all sorts of crimes to prove his loyalty. He shares ownership of the gym franchise with Politto. We believe his original loyalty to Volante still marks him as a possible traitor in Politto’s eyes.”
    We were briefed for hours with the history of the Politto family, as well as the Volantes. When pictures were flashed up on the screen, one familiar face instantly made me sick to my stomach. I never saw him in person, but I’ll never forget that face.
    Victor Politto Sr.

    “Is he okay?” my mom asked the cop standing on our front porch. It was late, and my father still hadn’t returned.
    “Dave has been arrested for drunk driving. We pulled him over for speeding, and he failed his Breathalyzer test. Carol, we found three pounds of cocaine in his trunk.”
    “Cocaine?” My mom asked incredulously.
    It all made sense now. The gifts, the hostility, and the way he completely withdrew from our family all suddenly made sense.
    My mom froze in shock. “I knew you’d be worried. If you want a ride down to the station, I’ll take you,” Brett offered.
    Brett Tranner’s parents were friends with mine. When younger he’d come over whenever his parents did, to play baseball in the backyard. He was a few years older, and once he started high school, I rarely saw him. When I did, he was always friendly. He was a great guy who chose a commendable profession. His mom had passed away, and the connection between our parents was severed. Regardless, he still visited my mom at the bank every so often, just to say hello. That house call was definitely not easy for him to make.
    My mother stood stiffly, conflicted on what was the right thing to do. She knew she should go to my dad, but I could see the dread in her eyes as if it was the last thing she wanted to do.
    As Brett waited for her to decide, he pulled out a picture from his back pocket. “Do you know this man?”
    My mom and I scrutinized the photo. It was of a portly, older man. He wore a suit and a scowl. My mom shook her head. “Should I?”
    Brett looked uncomfortable before saying, “He’s the gentlemen Dave called to bail him out tonight, but he refused.” As Brett filled my mom in on the man’s name, I continued to stare at the mean face staring back at me. His eyes were cold as ice.

    “Volante would be rolling over in his grave if he saw what had become of his legacy. He may have been mafia, but he had his morals. One was to never mix business and pleasure. Volante’s men were not allowed to dabble in the drugs they peddled.” Farley looked at us and said, “Frank likes cocaine. Politto specializes in cocaine. Present me with a plan tomorrow on how you and Frank will become BFFs.”
    We nodded, and he finally dismissed us.
    On our way out of FBI headquarters, Rob scrubbed a hand over his face. “I need a drink.”
    “You just sobered up, you sure you ready to take that on again?” I asked even though I could use one myself.
    “Fine, then I need coffee. Let’s go.”

    Compared to what it looks like in the morning, The Grind is fairly empty. I follow Rob to a table near the window. “We’ll order when they get here.”
    “They?”
    “Andrea and Ella,” he says, like it’s obvious.
    “Really, man? She’s not interested.”
    “She’s coming, isn’t she?”
    I consider that for a minute. Would that make me think differently? I’m not sure. I already thought she was pretty hot, even when she acted aloof. Her aloofness is also the perfect hand in my face, stopping me from even entertaining what I would like to do to her. Shit, if I found out she was interested, would I be able to resist?
    Doubtful .
    Clarity hits. “This isn’t the time to be starting up any damn relationships,” I complain out loud. “I need to end the one I’m in and keep my head clear. You of all people should