There is one place I’ve had in the back of my mind as a possibility, and I think Finch might even—God forbid—enjoyit there. But it’s based on the most tenuous of connections, and I have no real reason to think it won’t be just another death trap. I kiss Finch and he trots off to pack while I sit and think.
We have limited options.
Angelo is waiting in the hallway, alert and ready for my signal whenever I give it. I’ve had an exit strategy in place since even before I became the Boss. Now that I am, it’s even simpler in some ways. I’ve bought plane tickets for Toronto, Seattle, Miami, LA, and logged a decoy flight plan for the private jet. As soon as I figure out where we’re going, I’ll book a charter flight under false names. There will be no trail to follow, the two of us gone like ghosts. Our exit has been thoroughly planned, except for one not-so-minor detail: our destination.
I stick my head out the study door. “Angelo. A minute.”
“Boss.”
He comes in, eyes roving around the room by habit, and I wave him to the little set of sofas around a coffee table opposite my desk. “I need information.”
“Happy to help in any way I can.”
“Sonny Vegas,” I say. “What's your opinion?”
Angelo shifts in his seat, and that's about the only concession to surprise I'll get from him. “He's young, brash, and he's not interested in anyone who can't help him. “
“Does he have ties to any of the Families here?”
Slowly, Angelo shakes his head. “The Las Vegas lot parted with the East Coasters a while back. Sonny’s born and bred in Vegas, and he made his own way up.”
“You say he's not interested in anyone who can't help him. So he’s interested in those whocan. What can I offer him?”
Angelo gives us a small smile. “He certainly seemed to want something from you in Chicago, he just didn't get a chance to ask. But he spoke up for you for a reason and I don't think it was out of the goodness of his heart. Or, you’ll excuse me for saying so, out of any sense of social justice.”
I had the same impression at the time. “Do you think I can trust him?”
Angelo thinks on it for a moment. “Wouldn’t say that. But he's not a bad bet when you have a bad hand.”
I let out a long breath, and think about all the ways this could go horribly wrong. But there are fewer bad endings in Vegas than I can see in most other places.
“Thanks for the advice, Angelo. Of course, there’s no reason for you to think that Vegas is our destination.”
“None at all,” he agrees. “Your final destination will be as much a shock to me as anyone else.”
“Alright. Thank you. Actually, while I have you—the kid. Hudson Taylor. Think he has potential?”
Angelo gives a chuckle. “Nope. Wish I could say otherwise, but he’s not the kind we’re looking for.”
I nod. I’d made the same judgement based on Hudson’s face after the church, but I wanted to make sure. Besides, now that Fuscone is dead, Hudson has little reason to join our ranks.
But Hudson is the least of my worries right now.
“Get the men together. I want to make an announcement.”
* * *
I standon the staircase to deliver this message, Angelo beside me. My Capos stand below, looking up at me with interest.
“I should have done this a long time ago,” I tell them all. “But I’m doing it now. Angelo Messina is officially my Underboss.”
There’s a smattering of quiet cheers and applause. Snapper shouts out a congratulations to Angelo in Italian. I've never seen Angelo look shocked. I wonder for a moment with amusement whether Tino Morelli ever managed to shock him.
Frank might not like it, but Frank is laid up in the hospital and won’t be out any time soon. Aside from that, Frank’s stunt at the church showed me he needs to learn, once and for all, that he doesn’t get to make the decisions around here.
“Now, listen up,” I continue. “While Finch and I are away on our second honeymoon, Angelo will look after the day-to-day business. His word will have the same weight as my own. And all of you—watch your asses. Things are only gonna get worse from here on out.”
I take my brand new Underboss upstairs from the Capos and lean in to say privately, “There are very few who have done as much for this Family as you.”
