“You want to get yourself someone to take care of you, Angelo,” I tell him.
“Who says I haven’t?” he says at once, and laughs when he sees my eyebrows go up. “No, Boss. You’re right, I don’t.”
“You’re allowed to have a personal life.”
His eyes go distant. I always suspected he had some kind of feeling for Tino Morelli—exactly what, I’m not sure, and he’s never said. Mentor? Father figure? Or more? The way he cried after the old man’s death, it was love of some kind.
Maybe just love.
“Me? I’m married to the job.” He waves a dismissive hand. “Let’s just make sure we do this right.”
I nod. “Let’s get it done.”
* * *
This timewhen I enter the meeting room in Chicago, there are a few differences. First off, I have no backup except Finch, and really I’mhisbackup. I made Angelo stay behind in New York. If things go south, he needs to lead the rest of the Family.
Second change: we’re marched in between the heavily-armed guards of the Chicago Don, Tony Lombardo. The Commission didn't exactly trust me last time, and this time I’m a confirmed enemy as far as the old guard are concerned. So Finch and I are accompanied from the moment we step into the lobby of the building, all the way up in the elevator, and into the meeting room.
The West Coasters are all there. Sonny Vegas catches my eye and gives me a nod, subtle enough that it shouldn't be noticed. But I don't like it. Why even risk letting on that we have an agreement?
Lombardo is as friendly as ever, coming around to greet us and shake hands as though we’re old friends. He’s hanging on to his neutral status. But the New Yorkers are less warm. Joe Alessi won’t even look at me, Jimmy Giuliano has found something of great interest under his fingernails. Salvatore Rossi gives me a cool look, but Louis Clemenza doesn’t hold back. He stares daggers at Finch and me both, and if he weren’t sitting in front of everyone, I have no doubt he would spit at us.
And then there’s Carmine Vicario. He’s willing to look us in the face as well. Despite everything I suspect about him, I can’t help respecting him, even though I’m pretty sure he had Tino killed, or at least gave his blessing to those who wanted him dead.
Money has meant the end of more than one friendship in our business. I’m hoping it will encourage the beginning of a friendship today.
“Thank you for agreeing to hear my proposal,” I start, when it becomes clear that no one is going to say anything.
Vicario raises a hand to stop me. “Before we hear any more from you, I believe you owe this Commission an apology.”
I’ll crawl if they want me to, but I won’t apologize for choosing Finch over them. “I'm sorry I had to leave the initiation before it was finalized. I'm sure many of you understand the importance of family. Mine needed me, and so—”
“And so you went to him in his time of need,” Sonny Vegas breaks in, nodding his approval. I wish he'd just kept quiet. It doesn't help, rubbing it in their faces.
But I nod my thanks at Sonny.
“That ain't an apology,” Clemenza growls.
“I'm sorry you feel that way,” I tell him, and keep hard eye contact with him until he looks away in disgust.
“You dishonored the Commission,” says Rossi. “Why should we listen to you now?” He doesn’t sound angry. He sounds interested to hear my reasons.
“Because the risks I face are the same risks you all face. Especially for those of us in New York. If the Donovans rise to power again in Boston, New York will be their next—”
“But your boyfriend is Irish,” Alessi breaks in. “If you have a problem with them, maybe it's because you have a spy in your bed.”
“I don't have an Irish boyfriend.” My temper is rising now. “I have ahusbandwho was raised by an Irish family, but—”
“I can't believe we're even entertaining this queer and his fuck-toy in this company,” Clemenza snarls. “Give me my gun, and I'll kill them now.”
“Hey!” I snap, pointing at him. “You shut your mouth, Clemenza.”
It's really only tradition that's kept me safe so far; the rules of war don't allow weapons on neutral ground except for the designated guards. Talking like that to a powerful Boss isn’t smart.
But I don’t care.
I look around the room. “That goes for all of you. Any of you who disrespect my husband, you’ll answer to me for it.”
