“Take him,” I say, and lead the way out and back to the car. Toni dumps Gisto in the boot. He slides back into the driver’s seat and waits for my next directive.
“To the docks.”
We’re halfway there when I receive a message from Rosa. It simply reads: “Done.” Once again, the Arellos’ cockiness will be their undoing. Giani has his pudgy fingers in many nasty pies. Unfortunately, he didn’t think separating his cargo was a necessity. He stores all his products in the same place. That place is now in flames. He’s just lost millions.
Our next stop is his dockyard site office. My spies found out he keeps all the titles and deeds to his business and land stored in the floor safe at the docks. He operates his underground businesses from a shell company. It’s the first smart thing he’s done. Now that I know about it, I’m going to rob him blind. No deeds and titles, means no power. I plan to take everything he has.
The dockyard will be a little harder to get into, but I have faith my mole inside will work his magic. I sent him a coded message as soon as we left with Gisto. If he does his job, Giani’s men will be expecting us. They’ll think we’re there for a meeting. My man will escort us to the office and volunteer to guard us until Giani arrives.
Of course, one phone call to their boss would scupper the plan, but I’m betting on them being too scared to check in. Ruling with fear only goes so far. Eventually, the people you rely on are too afraid to question anything. That’s what I’m banking on with Giani’s dockyard security.
There’s one guy standing at the barrier to the entrance. As most of the families have business here, we have designated areas. I’ve never visited the south side. Nico, Marco, and Franco have invited me to their respective offices a time or two, as I have them. That’s the mark of our trust. It isn’t a coincidence none of us have had an invitation to Giani’s place and vice versa. He was always on the outside.
Toni slows to a stop and lowers the window a few inches. “Donna Malgeri. We should be expected.”
I’m not the named Donna yet, but I love Toni for using my title. He’s showing me his respect and I appreciate it now more than ever.
The guard waves us through, pointing to a building in the distance. “Benny will wait with you,” he replies. Benny is my guy on the inside. He’s done well.
Gisto is trying to call out, but his pleas fall on deaf ears. Toni parks around the side of the building, hiding the car in the shadows. We need to get Gisto into the office without being seen. Benny directs us to a side door, almost hidden behind a stack of crates. We can’t take too long. If the guard notices we haven’t entered through the main office door, he’ll get suspicious.
Benny and Toni work quickly. They shove Gisto through the side door and we’re out front within seconds. I see the guard looking over, but I pay him no mind—It would be strange if I did—before stepping through the main entrance.
Inside, Gisto is wriggling, doing his level best to break free. Toni drags him over to Giani’s office chair with ease.
“Gisto. I’m going to have Toni remove the tape. If you make a sound, you die. Is that clear?” My voice is low and deadly. Gisto nods. “I won’t give you a second warning, so bear that in mind.” As I speak, I unholster my gun.
Nodding to Toni, I settle back against the door. The sound of the tape being ripped off almost makes my eyes water. I’m sure Gisto just lost half his facial hair.
“What is this, Allegra?” he asks quietly. I’m happy he’s taken my warning seriously.
I decide to answer his question with one of my own. “Do you know what your father did this evening, Gisto?”
He looks between me and Toni. “No. But I presume from this, it isn’t good.”
Well, give the man a prize. “Tonight, your father broke the pact.”
Gisto shakes his head disbelievingly. “He wouldn’t—”
“But he did,” I interject. “Didn’t you wonder why he had you mess with our cargo with the intention of getting caught?”
Gisto swallows hard. Beads of sweat form on his brow. “All he said was we needed to send a message to Lorenzo.”
“Indeed,” I say. “I’m guessing he left out the real reason. Do you know Bonnie Moorside?”
He shakes his head. “Never heard of her.”
“Do you know the reason your father hates Lorenzo so much?”
“Old family shit, I think.”
I sigh. “Gisto, my dear man. You really are in the dark, aren’t you?”
He bristles but doesn’t reply. I proceed to fill him in on Giani and Lorenzo’s history. By the time I’m finished, Gisto’s head has dropped to his chest.
“You’re telling me he’s broken the pact for a whore he loved decades ago?” he growls.
“Careful, Gisto. Maria is Bonnie’s mother and Bonnie means a lot to me. I don’t think you want to use that particular word to describe her, especially not when I know what your wife gets up to.”
