Beautiful Addictions Read Online Free

took his place at the head of the table and all conversation ceased.
     He leaned back in his chair and scratched at his neatly trimmed beard. He soaked in
     the blind admiration of his employees. The feeling of complete control over these
     men’s lives pleased him. The thrill of power supplied the breath in his lungs and
     the blood-metal taste in his mouth. Moloney would never give this up.
    “The Italians are moving in on my ground.”
    He was a man of short statements and simple ideas. He paused here to emphasize the
     seriousness of this announcement, letting his glacier blue eyes rake over each man.
    Since the beginning of his career, Dean Moloney had been considered small-time. Being
     raised in an Irish, middle-class suburban home had certainly left him wanting. He
     had always longed for bigger adventures, wealth and power. Greed had rooted itself
     in his heart, and no matter how much he acquired, he always wanted more. In the last
     decade, he’d been expanding his business and apparently gained the attention of larger
     operators.
    “Gino Gallo is enemy number one,” Moloney announced.
    The men broke into murmured conversations, their words melded together into anxious
     white noise.
    “They can’t come in here and take over!” one man shouted.
    “The Italians? Over my dead body!”
    “I believe that’s the point,” Barry said calmly. The older gentleman stood from his
     seat next to Moloney and buttoned his suit jacket. “Hotheaded threats will not solve
     anything. We’ve got to outsmart them and make sure all loose ends are tied up. Leave
     nothing they could use against us.”
    Moloney nodded, supporting the underboss’s instructions.
    “Agreed,” he said. “See that all debts are collected, all inventory accounted for.”
    “Keep an eye open for rats. Gallo will try to steal our business, recruit our men.
     If you find anyone leaking information, he will be dealt with,” Barry said.
    “In fact, we’ve already learned that someone has been feeding Gallo information,”
     Moloney said. “Do any of you have anything to confess?” he asked.
    The men looked at each other. Each innocent and accusatory glance between them fueled
     Moloney’s rage. He would not tolerate treason.
    “No?” he asked with a finality that felt like one foot in the grave.
    In a flash, Barry raised his pistol and shot Kevin Landry in the forehead. The loud
     bang bounced off the walls of the building and created a wild drumbeat to match every
     man’s pulse. Kevin, though instantly dead, remained upright as if still in attendance.
    Moloney sneered. He felt himself grow stronger from their fear. His muscles flexed,
     pulling the fabric around his arms tighter as he adjusted his tented crotch. The power
     of taking someone’s life was the strongest aphrodisiac he’d ever known. His girl was
     in for it tonight.
    With a flip of his hand, Moloney dismissed them. Only Barry and Frank remained. Moloney
     knew he was lucky to have the allegiance of such men. Frank kept him safe. He had
     been brought into the business as a teenager to repay a debt. He had stayed because
     he loved the rewards of his position. Barry, however, was a lifer. He’d worked for
     the previous boss, and when Moloney took over, Barry had pledged his loyalty. He was
     Moloney’s right hand, his trigger finger, his voice of reason.
    “Any news on the girl?” Moloney asked. “Do we know if she’s still alive?”
    Barry tented his fingers on top of the wood table and squared his large shoulders.
     Although he wasn’t responsible for the messy situation, he felt obligated to fix it.
    “Mort is using his most persuasive techniques to retrieve information.”
    Moloney nodded, satisfied for now. Gino Gallo would be able to use any neglected problems
     against him, so it was imperative that the girl be eliminated. Finally, these aggravations
     could be put to rest and he could move on with destroying the Italians.
    *   *   *
    Josie sat