Chapter Four
Storm watched Leonleave then he turned to John, “Is he always so intense?”
John shrugged.“Nah, this is pretty mild he’s just sort of pissed off.I doubt you ever want to see that man when he’s really pissed.When that happens he’s deadly, which is what he’ll be if Calderone doesn’t come home soon.”
Storm just shook his head.“That’s when shit hits the fan huh?Can’t say I’d blame him, nope not one tiny bit.”He paused then said, “You know you hear stories living on the street like we do.One of those stories is that Leon Vinciniti is a fair and honorable man.Oscar tells us he got rid of a few people who were selling kids too.That means he’s not a true killer anyway.Sure, he’s a mob leader but people only ever cross him once.And he doesn’t look at us like we’re less than you know?Like we’re something sticky on the underside of his shoe.He always looks at us right in the eye.He acknowledges us.”
John and Iceman both nodded.
Iceman nodded his head.“You know the night Deke and I brought Peaches home after being gone for sixteen years, Leon and Calderone both asked us what we wanted.They were talking bounty, but that’s not what I wanted.I had enough money and he was willing to offer me anything I wanted.”He paused then smiled, “But instead of getting money, I wanted something only he could me.I wanted his respect, nothing more but nothing less either.I mean we both lived in this city, I just wanted to live here free and know I had someone out there watching my back.Of course, it didn’t hurt when I fell for Peaches.She became something and someone I couldn’t live without.Even if I never thought I’d have a chance with someone like her, she came to me and I never let her leave.Now I have her and three kids I would lay my life down for.”
Storm grinned.“Well, that’s one way to get on his good side.”
John scoffed and shook his head.“Man, it doesn’t work like that with Leon.”
Iceman slowly shook his head.“You don’t understand.I would die for Peaches or any of our kids, not because he’s her grandfather but because I love her and them that much.My family is my whole world.Having Leon as part of that family makes me uneasy most of the time.I run a legit business no matter what people think.I give a good day’s work for an honest day’s pay,” He shrugged.“Some people believe that and some don’t.I don’t really care one way or the other but I sleep good at night because she’s right there beside me and I’m doing work that I love.”
Storm nodded.“Hey, same with me and my guys.We may not have everything but we have self-respect.But you know how it is, if you live on the streets people treat you like shit, just because they can.We usually get two steps forward and three steps back.”
“Well, you’re on Leon’s payroll now.”John gave him a nod.“But you’ll earn every penny and if you let him down, you’ll be out before you even realize the gate is closing behind your ass.Just know this, he wants to see you earn everything you can, but you still have to prove your worth.”
Storm just shook his head.“I still can’t believe that brother.That and the fact that Jelly Bean would recommend us.”
“Well, she did.”John nodded.“I was there when she told him you guys were outside watching over his house.But even when she told him about you guys and he asked her what she knew about you but she said it was your story and she couldn’t tell him much.She did tell him he could trust you and your men but that was all.”
Storm paused and asked, “And he just took her word for something like that?”
John nodded.“Yeah, he took her on her word.I think he feels that she may be rough around the edges but he trusts her.Believe me that took a while to happen but he knows her well enough to be able to recommend you guys.Leon usually has a background check on anyone he hires but he didn’t, on you and the others.Not yet anyway and I would know as I do those.”He smirked.“For him that’s big, just show him he can trust you.You cross him now and you won’t walk away from here.”
Storm nodded.“I appreciate the warning but save your breath.Like Jelly might have told him, we’ve been looking out for this big house a lot longer than I’m sure Leon knows or would be comfortable with.And we keep our own council and don’t spread gossip.We will earn our way along.Don’t you worry none.”With that, Storm turned and walked out of the room leaving John and Iceman behind.
Iceman looked at John and nodded.“I’m glad these men will be looking out for the Vincintis.They look strong, smart and I am glad they come from the streets.Leon needs that advantage.I learned from Peaches that street people see shit coming way before other people do.”
John nodded.“Yeah, my Meena lived out there too.She stayed safe because she had friends.She learned how to stay safe and when to stay away from certain areas when trouble was coming.The street people have a news council all their own.And here, one man knows everything.Every person out there protects him too.Oscar, I mean.But that goes both ways, he protects them and they in turn, protect him.”
Iceman agreed with him.“Yeah, that man protected Peaches and Cassie at one time too.I was here in Boston for most of my life only to learn later on that it has an underworld we never knew about.An underworld we are just beginning to discover.But I have to wonder if this mess is really over?”Iceman growled.“Did we get all the players or are there more out there just waiting for their chance to storm the front gates?”
“What are you talking about?”John stared at him.
Iceman just shrugged.“I can’t help but wonder if this is all of the show or are we waiting on a third act?That’s all.”
John turned his head to stare at Giovano.He seemed awful relaxed for someone facing death and a possible skinning.Finally, he shook his head as he escorted Iceman out of the room.After locking the cell area door, he looked up at Iceman again.“You really think there might be more?”
Iceman just shrugged.“This came down too easy, you know?The first wave followed by the second wave.And yeah, they fought well enough but Leon survived.They were supposed to kill him and they couldn’t.So, there might be more to come.”
“The Grimaldi’s family has been caught,” John reminded him.“That should be the end of the feud.”
Iceman crossed his arms over his chest.“That would depend on if they were working with another entity.Never underestimate the unknown part of any equation.I’ve dealt with takeover attacks before this one feels like a precursor..”
John swore under his breath, “Fuck, I had the same feeling after this battle.I checked the Grimaldis out thoroughly and I felt like they didn’t have the wealth to pay for all of this.Leon isn’t going to like this possibility.Not at all.”
“You need to warn him at least,” Iceman suggested.
John sighed hard.“You’re right.If it doesn’t come that’s fine but if it does, then we’ll be prepared.”
“And a man like him needs to be prepared.”Iceman nodded.“He’s still worried about Calderone coming home alive and in one piece.But how do we find out anything more?I didn’t see anyone lurking in the background when I did my research the last 2 days.”
“Maybe that secret it guarded too well and you won’t know for sure.But I say line the property with men and more cameras along the road to here would be good.”
