Then again, we don’t want to make it obvious that it’s us, which is what could happen if we do anything to them back in New York or anywhere else. We don’t need to play our hand so soon.
But if we don’t get it right here, then we might still show our asses. I’m not convinced we have all the men and means to pull it off here. Alejandro, Joaquin, and I are plenty capable of plotting and executing, but only if we have all the right tools at our disposal. I’m concerned we don’t.
My mind is spinning. I usually don’t suffer from so much self-doubt these days. Having to make life altering decisions in a matter of moments doesn’t leave room for self-doubt. However, at times like this, when I don’t have to make split-second decisions, my anxiety rears its head.
I know the temperature in the room isn’t going up, but it feels like it. I breathe through my heart rate wanting to spike. I force away the invisible weight pressing on my shoulders without shrugging them like I want to. I don’t need Joaquin and Alejandro worrying.
“Jorge?”
“Hmm? Just thinking,Tío.”
I have no idea whatTíoEnrique just said. I glance at my brother and cousin to see if I can get a hint. Instead, I see the exact worry I tried to avoid. Joaquin comes to my rescue when he whispers to me.
“He wants to know if we should make it look like the’Ndranghetaare causing trouble for Salvatore.”
I dip my chin in thanks before I respond to ourtío.
“That’s probably our best bet since they’re the largest Italian syndicate in the area. Lorenzo just invested heavily in a hedge fund, basically squeezing out the’Ndrangheta’sinfluence. I noticed the’Ndrangheta’sunderboss worked with Gunter about three years ago. We could make it look like the’Ndranghetaare defending a past business partner while retaliating against the Mancinellis’ expanding reach. If we’re going to blow up the Heidemann buildings, we have to do something more subtle with them. We make it look like the’Ndranghetabribed theLandeskriminalämterto investigate the Mancinellis, but they’ll call off the dogs if the Mancinellis hand over Gunter. If they won’t, then we make it look like the’Ndranghetaare threatening them with theBundeskriminalamt.”
The State Offices of Criminal Investigations handle domestic money laundering schemes if they go beyond the local prosecutors’ or police’s purvey. Since this would involve a foreign syndicate, the Federal Criminal Police Office could plausibly get involved too. It would be a major inconvenience for the NYCCosa Nostradon.
“I can get started on that right away. It might take me a few hours to get into all the necessary accounts, but I can spoof some emails to get the ball rolling with threats to Lorenzo.”
Joaquin can’t stand Lorenzo. Like hates him with the fire of a thousand suns because the closest my brother’s ever cometo dying was when Lorenzo fucking shot him. Thecarechimbahit him six inches from his heart because the fucknut’s night vision sucks. He was aiming for Misha—Maks’s cousin—and hit Joaquin instead. It was about eight years ago, during a weapons deal between the Mancinellis and us that Misha thought to crash. If we were still kids, my brother would be bouncing in his seat, raring to go.
“Jorge, are you good with that?”
“Sí, Tío. I think that’s for the best. We can’t be too obvious about everything, or everyone’ll guess it’s us too soon. That still leaves the O’Rourkes though. Do we go for overt or covert with them?”
“Those dumbasses need overt. They can’t find their asses with two hands and a flashlight.” Javier’s practically snarling.
The O’Rourkes may not have been directly responsible for what happened to my sister, but Javier holds any and all mobsters accountable for what happened to his wife. Right now, the O’Rourkes can’t even glance in Madeline’s direction without Javier losing all his shit.
Pablo often remains quiet during meetings like these. It’s not for lack of things to say. He’s a scientist through and through. He’s a keen observer, and he considers every variable and what order to test them before he forms a hypothesis—or in this case a mission strategy.
“I agree with Javier. If they’re involved with this, then they know you and Anneliese are connected, even if they don’t know the extent of it. With the way things stand after what happened with Javier and Madeline, if this is them, they should’ve backed off. Assuming it was them, they never should’ve taken Gunter to begin with.”
“What do you have in mind?” I’m certain he wouldn’t have spoken up yet if he didn’t have something to suggest.
“They’ve made inroads into Eastern Europe over the past four years. We know Gunter and Clyde have connections to some wealthy investors in the Czech Republic and Estonia. Make it look like someone snitched to them, and they’re pissed about the O’Rourkes targeting Gunter. We know the O’Rourkes have done deals with Clyde before to get product into Germany that’s then gone on to those two countries. Pick someone from one of those countries and make it look like they retaliated. We steal whatever they currently have warehoused here and make Gunter the ransom. Make it look like the Czech or Estonian wants to trade. We can even give some of their product back, if they return Gunter. If they don’t have him, then we have new merchandise to sell.”
I nod my head even though only Joaquin and Alejandro can see me. “We can handle the two missions with the men we have. We can even do both tomorrow night if we start working on the logistics now. If Joaquin begins work on the Mancinellis, maybe we strike gold and don’t even need to attack the bratva or mob.”
I get a round of laughs. Even if none of them have Gunter, we may still pull off all three attacks just because we can.
After we ended the call yesterday, Liesel came back downstairs. We put a movie on, but none of us were fully paying attention. We were all lost in our thoughts. We all called it an early night. Once alone, Liesel and I climbed into bed. The moment our bare skin touched, the rest of the world disappeared. Knowing there was nothing we could do to further our search, we allowed ourselves to enjoy making love.
That’s the only way I could describe it. We weren’t rushed. It wasn’t rough. Passionate—so, so passionate—but not fucking.I haven’t had vanilla sex in years. I haven’t missed it. With Liesel, it was like discovering something brand new. We were completely equals, and that’s what we needed. We’re still establishing our relationship. Most likely, I’ll go back to being the dominant one during sex. We like it that way. But we need to know we’re in this together as partners who both give and take.
Afterward, we crashed hard. I needed to catch up on my sleep. I must be alert tonight since our missions are a go. I know today was boring for Liesel, but she worked from the safe house all day. When I apologized for it feeling like we were all sitting around, she assured me she prefers it uneventful.
I caught her staring off into space a few times while we all worked. She hasn’t asked any questions because I’ve shared as much as I can. She knows I wish I could tell her more, but she understands it isn’t safe for anyone if I do. If we’re going to make this relationship work, this is something she’ll have to accept. Better she gets a taste of it now than after we’re married.
Joaquin had his portable trifold monitor set up like I did at the dining room table. Alejandro and Liesel both set themselves up in the living room. I purposely picked my chair so I could see Joaquin’s screens and Liesel. Joaquin, Alejandro, and I texted what we couldn’t discuss aloud. None of us wanted to ask Liesel to spend hours in a bedroom just so we could talk. Not the most convenient method of communication, but I appreciate the guys being considerate.
We dropped her off at Hisham and Noor’s before heading out for these missions. I doubt walking away from her will ever get easier. She knows we won’t be back until at least morning. I witnessed her glassy eyes, but she swallowed the threatening tears and put on a brave face as we said goodbye. I’m proud of her, even if I hate why she had to. At least, she’s with her family right now.
“Ricardo, take your men and sweep the building. Make sure no one’s in there.”
