“I don’t plan to get old before I retire. I want toenjoymy life with you. No, another few years, max, and I think I’ll get bored. We’ll get out. We’ll go live in Jamaica or Monaco or on a private island off the Greek coast.”
It’s a pretty dream.
“I’d like to be close to Mykonos,” he offers. “Good nightlife.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do. Buy an island in the Mediterranean, close to Mykonos, and eat seafood every day.”
He smiles up at me, but then his eyes go dull once more. “Do Mob bosses actually retire?”
“Of course.”
“I mean…alive?”
I roll him onto his back and prop myself up on one elbow over him. “Yes,” I say firmly. “If they’re careful. And I intend to be careful.” I smooth his hair back from his forehead. He needs a root job; the brown is growing back. “You should go pink again,” I say, smiling. “For old times’ sake.”
He doesn’t smile back. He just looks sad. “I’m not the same person I was back then.”
“I loved you then and I love you now.” I kiss him, and he kisses back, and then we settle into spooning position for sleep.
“You’re sure your dick is okay?” he asks, almost unconscious.
“My dick is just fine.”
“It better be,” I hear him say softly, just before we both pass out.
* * *
On Monday night,it’s time for my start-of-week meeting with the Capos. I make sure I come fifteen minutes later than the time I gave, because I want to give time for any ambushes to pass. This was under Angelo’s advice, and by the time he gives me the all clear and I walk into the warehouse—this one out near the docks—the men are getting restless.
My Capos are all there, along with Marco—Bobby Barone is standing in with Finch for tonight, trying to make up for his poor performance in Boston—and of course Frank. They all look way more nervous than I expected, which I’m happy about for a moment, because I don’t think some of them are taking all this shit seriously enough.
And then Frank steps forward before I even say my hellos and starts talking. “Hudson wants to join up.”
I stare at my brother, and he stares back at me.
“Some random kid wants to join up?”
“He’s not some random—”
“Oh, yes he is, Frank.”
“Listen, the kid’s talked about nothingbutsince everything went down with Connie. Besides, you’re the one who keeps talking about getting in some new blood, Georgie.”
Silence follows Frank’s irritated grumble. I know my Capos are waiting to see what will happen here.
“What did you call me, Frank?” I ask softly, taking a step towards him.
Frank’s eyes go wide, panicky, and then he drops his head respectfully. With a resentful glare at my shoes, he said, “Please, Don Morelli. He’s eager, and he’s willing to do anything it takes.”
“For all we know, he’s a plant from the Feds, Frank. You ever think about that? And you and Cee just invited him into your home to listen at doors.”
I had Angelo run a background check on Hudson Taylor months ago when the kid started turning up at the hospital, so I happen to know he’s clean.
But Frank doesn’t.
Frank goes red, glares at the floor, but says nothing.
“And the fact is, you’re not the only one who’s fucked up recently.” I turn to look around at the rest of my men, wondering just how much I can trust any of them. IthoughtI’d made good choices when I appointed them, let them continue in their positions. Now, I’m not so sure.
