His voice snapped John out of the memory.
Leon turned to meet his eyes.“We survived that attack, John,” he stated as if he knew what John had been thinking.
“And we damn well will survive this one too.”John gave him a nod.
They stared at each other.
“We are only as strong as who leads us,” John added.“And thank fuck you are the biggest badass in Boston.”
Leon blinked at him then he chuckled.“That’s a huge title, John.”
“It is well earned.”
Leon turned back to the window.“We shall see if I can continue to hold that title.So when I spoke to the Don, he said he was already looking for Calderone and Lucas.He said their kidnapping was something the Familia wouldn’t tolerate and the ones behind it would be disciplined.”
They both heard a knock on the doorframe and turned to look.
Jelly Bean stood there then she stepped into the room.She kept her gaze locked onto Leon’s as she came forward and when she paused in front of him she spoke quietly, “I just wanted you to know that you have an army outside these walls, if you need them.You might not pay them but they are willing to stand with you if you need them.”
“Whom are you talking about my dear?”Leon asked.
Jelly Bean sighed and explained what she seemed to believe he should have already known, “Leon, the street people know probably more about what’s going on here than you do.They watch everything.They feel the vibes long before anyone else even has an inclination there’s something wrong.A few of them have reached out to me over the last twenty-four hours.They told me something bad is coming for the Vincintis and they are concerned.They are aware of what you do for the city.Oscar called me just now and reported that they know where these men are.The ones willing to kill you.”
Leon glanced over at John then back at Jelly Bean.“They know where these men are?”
Jelly Bean nodded.“They have been keeping an eye on them and they have been listening to what they are saying.They told me they are waiting for one more person to arrive so he can watch them shoot you.”
“Did they overhear a name or anything to identify who they are waiting on?”Leon growled.
Jelly Bean nodded. “They said they are waiting for a Mr.Double G.Do you know that name?”
Leon felt his heart begin to race.Yes, he knew that name.“Giovano Grimaldi.Fredo’s oldest son.That’s even more confirmation.The Don had spoken of a younger member of the Grimaldi family who left the country two weeks ago, they just hadn’t known which of the grandsons it was.Giovano or Juno.”He stared outside once again, not saying a word for the longest time.Then he turned and looked at John.“Fortify the estate with every man you can spare.”He looked at Jelly Bean and smiled.“Tell your people to watch and wait.I need them to keep track of everyone they are watching but not to step in.I don’t want anyone hurt on my behalf.”
Jelly Bean nodded.“There are a few of them who are willing to come forward, they would like to be part of what you have going on here.But they have no education or any real training.They are afraid you wouldn’t even consider them but they said they would be interested, if you need them.”
Leon stared at her then he nodded.“I might just take that offer, if they are willing to learn.”
She smiled softly.Then she turned and left the room.
Leon looked up at John and shook his head.“I have to call the Don back and confirm what we know now for sure.Giovano Grimaldi just signed his own death warrant.The Italia Council will not let this go.”
John frowned at him and asked, “Why does that name sound so familiar?”
Leon sighed.“Giovano’s father, Fredo has been causing trouble for many years now.He thought he should be here in my place years ago and he obviously has not given up on that idea ever since.Most had stopped listening and had forgotten it.”
John just stared at Leon for a long moment.“And what exactly did he want to do about that?”
“He wanted to start a war on two continents and reshape the Familia.Like an international coup.It had to be a complicated endeavor.That alone should have stopped him.Too many mishaps could occur.Like the fact someone dropped that letter.What dumbasses.He planned to cause enough damage to both Familia’s and then step in as the savior.The Don in place was aware of this plot but he had no real confirmation of who was behind it.”Leon shook his head.“But this information confirms the who and we already know the why.”
“So when do you think Calderone will contact you?”John asked.
Leon shook his head.“The Don has men searching for Lucas and Calderone.But I told him they will not locate my son until he deems that the danger has passed.And he must know that Willow is protected.Calderone has done the training he needed to do and all I can do is wait for results.Which is him being alive.”
John clapped him on the back.“He won’t leave you hanging.Like you said, he is going right along with the way you two decided to handle this type of event.”
Leon walked back over to the window and stared outside at the front lawn.He needed to absorb all of this.He did worry about Calderone, but he felt in his soul that he was alive.
John went out quietly to take care of what he needed to.
