"That's a hard one for me."
"Then you just have to take a risk."
It's all about risk in the end because no one is truly trustworthy.
"How do you get your information?" I ask, hoping he'll provide a better answer than simply taking a risk.
"I have my ways. I'm a guy who likes to keep his enemies close.I made it my mission when they did this to me.Come on, look at me, they fucked me up.Do you think I'm going to screw with you so you can finish me off?"
I stare at his face. His nightmare face with his eyes sewn shut like a corpse.My answer is no, I don't think this guy will mess around with us.
"No."
"Good."
"Apart from the money, what's in it for you?"
"Revenge. Now that's settled let's begin." There's a twitch in his jaw that's a tell I've struck a nerve."Your problems began when your father lost everything and moved to Stormy Creek.The loss of employment made Alfonse look for other work.It started with Mortimer Viggo.Mortimer saw him as a man who might be useful to him one day, and he was.Then from there Alfonse met and worked for many others.More importantly, he was the hook up if you needed a job that could pay you quick, serious money.That's how he attracted men like me and men like Lucas Ricci."
I tense up when I hear that name."Lucas Ricci?"
"Yes. He became the equivalent to Alfonse when he got more work.That bastard even surpassed him in the end when he took his place at the right hand of the devil.Alfonse was the guy who made connections, but Lucas was the enabler.He got desperate people who were willing to do anything to get themselves out of their desperate situations.Including his own brother. In my day there were heavily into human trafficking and prostitution.We all worked in different capacities under Tobias and Federico, but realistically we all worked for Richard Fenmoir.The king."
As my mouth falls open, Peter looks at me, and his smile widens.
"Holy fuck," I breathe out.
"Yes. Was your trip worth it yet?"
More than he would fucking know.
"Richard Fenmoir is the king?" Massimo asks.
"Yes. But it's a made-up name, just like the king is.These people are all secret in everything they do, but rest assured he's one powerful son of a bitch.I knew who I worked for but as to who he really was, no. I never saw his face and if I did, I wouldn't know it was him.That information was above my paygrade.Who would be able to tell you, though, is Lucas Ricci.He and Tobias took direct orders from the King."
Massimo and I exchange glances.
"Where can we find him?" I demand.
"I'll give you an address, but it will cost you." Peter laughs louder.
"Name your fucking price."
"Alright, Mr. D'Agostino I certainly will.And, because you've been such a good sport, I'll throw in something for free.The King is going for code ten again.Keep what you kill. That's what this is all about.He doesn't just want you dead, or you'd all be dead already.He literally wants to enact the original plan so the last man standing gets all the wealth, and shares it with the rest of the group."
"That's impossible." Massimo balls his fists."How the fuck would they do that?Someone in the Syndicate would have to be playing sides again."
The answer hits me like a lightning bolt, and rage fills me.I look to Aiden this time because I know he has the answer too.When he nods, I know he does.
"Or, maybe the person is putting on an act so they could get initiated." I clench my jaw so hard it feels like a spring wound with tension.
Massimo looks at me, and Peter starts laughing.I have a feeling this fucker knows even more than he's saying.He sees a lot, even though he has no eyes.
"Jacques," I clarify. "He's the pawn.The rat that's so clean we thought he'd be an asset.The piece of the puzzle fits.He's the something new that's made them act now." I don't have to say anymore.We're all on the same page of the book.
Massimo said it all himself that day I first met Jacques.He said Jacques was the first person in a while that he's considered joining us.They were waiting for this chance.Once Jacques is initiated, he'd have the same rights as everybody else and if they died, he'd get everything.
Jacques is a fucking spy.
I hate being right. He wasn't who he said he was.