“What about your business back in New York?” Ben asks, his facial expression giving nothing away as he stares at his brother-in-law. “The twins aren’t old enough to take over yet.”
“My cousin Luca will step up as acting don, reporting to me, until the twins are ready to take over,” Gino coolly replies, acting as if this is already a done deal.
I’m conflicted.
The selfish side of me wants him to do this so he’s permanently separated from Natalia and we can continue our relationship. The other part of me smells a rat and is distrustful. There is also the fear he will force Nat to drop out of NYU and move here to be with him. “Your sons are in school in New York, and your wife attends NYU. How will that work?” I ask, knowing Ben will haul me over the coals for it after the meeting has concluded.
“I don’t see how that is any of your business,” he says in a clipped tone.
“It has everything to do with your move, and it’s a valid question,” Ben says. “Answer it.”
Slowly, Gino drags a hand through his hair. He looks at Ben, ignoring me again, like I give a fuck. “I don’t propose to uproot my family or upset their routine in New York. They can visit me on the weekends and over the school breaks.”
That would be perfect if I didn’t suspect the fucker is up to something shady. He clearly plans to install his Juliet lookalike at his side and forget about his wife back in the city. It’s what I have come to expect from him, but how could he abandon his sons when they clearly need him? There was a time I used to look up to Don Accardi, but not anymore. He was the youngest made man to become a don until Ben stole his thunder. I bet that grates on his nerves.
“I will need to talk to The Commission,” Ben says. “You haven’t exactly impressed us lately.”
“I am well aware.” He bores a hole in Ben’s skull. “But I am committed to rectifying my mistakes and bringing order to the streets of Chicago. I don’t see many dons lining up to take on this task.”
Therein lies the crux of our issues. Ben and I discussed this on the plane. We literally don’t have anyone reliable from outside Chicago who wants to step up and do this. While Chicago is a desirable territory, it comes at a high price and without guarantees. It’s a lot to ask someone to step away from their own territory. To uproot their business and family for a territory that is a big risk.
It’s a poisoned chalice.
Though the man who restores order will be held in high esteem, and the rewards will be great.
I very much doubt the man in front of me is the man to do that. Something else is at play here. I’m convinced of it. For now, we have no choice but to go along with it.
“I need to speak with Barretta alone.” Ben stands as Gino does. “Don’t leave. I will come find you before I go.”
Gino shakes his hand before exiting the room.
Ben sits back down, taking another mouthful of his drink. “I want your honest opinion.” Ben looks at Barretta. “What is going on in this city?”
“The events of last year have shaken the men up. They lost a lot of their colleagues at the hands of New York and The Commission. They were loyal to Gifoli, and I think they are suspecting DeLuca is dead. Then you send an outsider in and effectively tie his hands.”
We need to get on top of the DeLuca news and announce his death to draw a line under him. We have been waiting for the right moment, for the right successor, and it seems time is running out.
“But you were in charge,” Ben reminds him. “They know and respect you.”
“They know and respect me as DeLuca’s former consigliere. Your first mistake was not sending Accardi here as acting don and letting me work with him as his adviser. It’s in effect how we have been operating, but without the official responsibility, the men are wary. Gino is right. You need to take strong, decisive action now. We have identified two men Gino can promote to his underboss and consigliere. Good, loyal men who thesoldatitrust. Announce DeLuca is dead. Name Gino as his permanent successor and appoint his new team.” He leans forward. “Then step back, Bennett. Let him do his job without The Commission breathing down his neck at every turn.”
“Do you trust him?” Ben asks. “Is there something else I’m not privy to?”
“You mean Marcella?”
It’s no surprise Barretta knows. It’s not like Gino has been discreet, and they work closely together.
“I know about her. I mean anything else?”
Barretta frowns. “You think Gino has an ulterior motive?”
“I’m not sure.” Ben is being circumspect on purpose. Barretta is a decent man, and his relationship with Ben is solid. However, he’s spent the past nine months working closely with Accardi. Loyalties can be swayed, and bought, and Barretta already has one foot in the grave. He’s beyond the point of caring, and I don’t feel we can put much weight behind his words or his opinions.
“I think Gino is in love and he wants to make Chicago his home.” Barretta’s hand shakes as he clasps his glass. “I know that is difficult for you, given the close familial ties, but this is the way of our world. Don Accardi would not be the first made man to set up home with his mistress while his wife lives in another state.”
“That’s not the way things are done in New York,” Ben says, bristling with rage.
“You’re not in New York.”
