Massimo knew what Luiz was capable of.
“No other deals.No negotiations.”
“What’s it worth to you?”King asked.
“How about you being able to walk out of here and continue to conduct your business?”Massimo said.“If you want to play this game, I am happy to.Trust me, I would take a great deal of pleasure in making you pay, King.”
They stared at each other.Assessing.
Massimo was not afraid.King was nothing more than a bug, would be an easy target to torment, and it wouldn’t even cost him any time.That was just how good he was.
King sighed.“Shit.Luiz called me a few weeks ago.I can’t remember when.To be honest, I was shocked he would even dare to call me.After the last time, I didn’t exactly leave him without a mark.He told me a new player was coming.One that was going to take over the Russo family and when that happened, there would be a spot for me.”
“In the Russo Mafia?”Massimo asked.
“No, not Russo.It was going to be another name, but you think I got where I am without knowing shit when I hear it?If I agree to that, then I’m an accomplice.I ain’t doing any of that shit.Look at me, I’m happy with what I’ve got.You think I need the Russo dogs coming at me?No, I don’t.I don’t have jack shit.The Russo family being taken over was never going to happen.”
“Did he tell you who was making that claim?”
“Not a clue, but he was happy to show some cash.Luiz offered me half a million to help the cause.It sounded like some rebel bullshit.It was even stacked up in his house, but fuck, no.Like I told you, I’m not a fucking idiot.Russo has owned these streets long enough to know it is not going to be taken over without a bloodbath.”King shrugged.“Is that it?Is that all you want to hear?I just want the little piece of paradise I earned.”
The coffees came to the table, along with King’s grilled cheese.Massimo sat back, taking a sip of his coffee as King started on his grilled cheese.
This hadn’t exactly been helpful.All he knew now was that King wasn’t stupid to start a war with them.It would never be one he could win, but there were a lot of stupid people in the world.He just had to find one who was willing to ruin his life for the Mafia title.
****
“You know, I haven’tstepped foot inside here since my wife passed,” Vincent said.
Isabella had gone to lunch.Adelina had been given an invitation, but she hadn’t felt like leaving the house.
The room they had stepped into was Massimo’s mother’s studio.It was a large room at the back of the house.The windows had been covered by large, thick curtains.Vincent had pulled them away, and the room was that of an artist.There were a couple of easels set up, paintings along the floor, some stacked together.
There were open paints, and she guessed it looked exactly the same way when his wife had left it.The curtains must have drawn the night before she passed away.
No one had stepped foot inside the room.
There were some cobwebs in corners, and a thick layer of dust coated every surface.The windows also had stains on them from where it must have condensed and then dried.The sunshine cast an amazing glow across the room.The view of the gardens was breathtaking.
“My wife had great talent.There was a time she wanted to be an artist,” Vincent said.“But she was never going to be.She was my wife instead, and I promised her artwork would one day make an exhibition.I would arrange it myself.”He chuckled.“She never wanted that.”
“She didn’t?”
“No.”He shook his head.“All she ever wanted to do was paint for the pleasure of it.She never wanted people to criticize her work.You know?”
“I get it.”
Adelina stepped toward one of the paintings, and it was of two King Charles Spaniels.“Wow, they’re so lifelike.”
“They were the dogs my wife had when she was little.They passed away not long after we were married.It broke her heart, and mine.I was never a dog man, but those dogs, Ginger and Snaps, were good dogs.Fuck me, I miss them.”
She walked toward him and put a hand on his shoulder, then she actually hugged him, wrapping her arms around him, trying to offer comfort in the darkness of his mind.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“You’re hurting.”
“Most women wouldn’t be able to stand being close to me.”
