An Offer You Can't Refuse by Sal Bianchi (best beach reads .txt) 📕

“Nick, run!” he screamed as he beat his fists furiously against the officer’s arms. I couldn’t move, though. We’d gone over the plan dozens of times, but I couldn’t bring myself to run away and leave my brother alone. I stood in place completely frozen and watched the struggle until the officer’s partner became aware of the commotion and came to help.

I woke with a start, the events of the dream still fresh and clear in my mind. My heart was racing, and my face felt hot. I sighed as my heart started to slow into a more normal rhythm. It had been a while since I’d dreamed about that night. My meeting with Alessandro must have stirred up some bad memories.

I sat up in bed and glanced at my phone on my bedside table. It was six in the morning, which meant I’d only slept for about five hours. I rubbed a hand over my face and through my hair as I thought about the dream. I used to wonder a lot what might have happened if things had gone differently that day. It was pure coincidence that the police officer was there that night. If he hadn’t overheard us, or if I’d run away when Alessandro told me to, maybe things would have turned out differently.

No, they definitely would have turned out differently. I would never have met Jase or started working with the SDCT. I probably wouldn’t have gotten my Criminal Justice degree or even have gone to college. Alessandro wouldn’t be the mafia boss, though, so all those sacrifices would have been worth it.

I threw the covers off of myself and got out of bed. There was no point in ruminating about the what-ifs now. What was done was done. Speaking of which, I was still alive, which meant that no one had come to kill me in the middle of the night while I slept for what I’d done to Giovanni last night. I needed to get down to the SDCT office and let Flint know about the DeFiore Family being somehow involved in the case. After that, I should probably see about improving the security at my office as well.

After taking a quick shower and changing out of the rumpled clothes I’d fallen asleep in last night, I took a quick glance around my apartment. Nothing appeared to be out of place, and my front door hadn't been unlocked or tampered with, which was a relief, but also a bit disconcerting. I was sure the mafia would want to retaliate for what had happened, so now I’d have to look over my shoulder constantly, waiting for them to strike.

I got into the car and drove down to the SDCT office. It was significantly earlier than I usually showed up, but maybe this way, I’d be able to bypass Bette on my way to Flint’s office and avoid her verbal assault.

The sun was just starting to come up when I arrived in the parking lot, and there were only a few other cars in the lot. I headed into the building and up to the SDCT office on the eighth floor. The lights were off, and there wasn’t a single other soul in sight.

The immature desire to rifle through everyone’s things suddenly struck me now that there was no one here to stop me. On second thought, though, there probably wouldn’t be much to see aside from official case paperwork, and I’d get caught on the security cameras even if there wasn’t anyone here to see me right now.

My next plan was to give Flint a scare when he came into his office. If I picked the lock and waited for him inside, I’d be able to spook him when he came in that morning. I grinned at my own plan and walked across the office to kneel down in front of Flint’s door. I took the mini lock-picking set I carried with me out of my wallet and got to work on the door. Luckily it was a pretty standard lock without any electronic components, so I had it popped open in just a matter of minutes.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside before closing it behind me and locking it again. All that was left to do now was wait for Flint to get in. I wasn’t sure exactly when he would arrive, but as the director, he was sure to be one of the first ones in. It probably wouldn’t be long now.

I settled into one of the chairs across from his desk and pulled my phone out of my pocket to wait. About fifteen minutes later, I saw the lights in the main office area come on through the closed blinds and tensed in anticipation. I could hear footsteps outside the door and then the sound of the lock turning. My stomach churned unpleasantly as I realized this must have been how Franco felt yesterday when he’d hidden in the shadows of my own office, but I pushed the thought away before I could sink too deeply into it.

The door opened, and Flint flicked the light switch on as he stepped inside. His face remained stony even as he looked up and made eye contact with me. To my disappointment, he seemed completely unaffected to see me sitting here, almost as though he’d expected it.

“Good morning, Nick.” He greeted me as he moved to set his things down on his desk. “You’re here unusually early.”

“And yet to don’t seem all that surprised,” I sighed, dismayed that my prank had fallen flat.

“I saw your car in the parking lot.” He informed me as he took a seat in his chair. “If your plan was to be stealthy, I’m afraid you failed.”

I frowned as I realized that my own car had given my presence away.

“You’re no fun.” I frowned.

“I didn’t get this position for nothing,” Flint chuckled, a rare smile breaking across his face.