“Are we sure it’s wise to meet him next week?” Cristian asks. “What if it’s a trap?”
“We’re meeting on neutral territory, and O’ Hara has reached out to his contacts in Ireland,” our president says. “We’ll have additional resources at our disposal when we land in Dublin. Something the Italians won’t be aware of and won’t have. Should they try anything, they’ll be outnumbered.”
“It sounds like they’re most concerned with ensuring we don’t tarnish the name of themafiosoin the city,” Ben adds. He was involved in the call too. “Maximo and Primo fed them a ton of bullshit to get their support.”
“Maybe we should lay a trap for them in Ireland and take them all out,” I suggest. “Reduces the risk.”
“They’re part of theCamorra, Caleb,” Fiero says, grinning. “As much as I love your lust for bloodshed, the last thing we want is to bring the entireCamorradown upon us. They’d wipe us out.”
“Maltese is right,” Agessi says. “Brokering a peace deal is our best option.”
“You’re all no fun.” I smirk as I swivel in my chair.
“No one wants another bloody battle so soon after the last one,” Ben says.
“Speak for yourself. I’m always down to gut a few motherfuckers.”
“Maybe I’m getting old,” Ben continues. “But I’m voting for peace. I want my kids to be able to return to school. I want to watch Rowan walk across the stage at his graduation ceremony.”
“I want that too. Leif and Rosa are going stir crazy being home schooled. Just watch your backs. I don’t trust these fuckers.”
“None of us trust them,” Joshua says. “It’s why we’re not all going to Ireland for the meeting. If they try to double-cross us by making a play for The Big Apple while you’re gone, we’ll be ready for them.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Pagano says.
“Where are we at with Gino’s files?” Massimo asks, looking between Ben and Joshua.
“Ben, Gia, and I have thoroughly reviewed the files, and we didn’t find anything,” my twin explains.
“Gia suggested we scan all the paperwork and ask Philip to devise an IT program to look for patterns or anomalies,” Ben says. “I think it’s worth a shot, so we’re putting that in place now.”
“Let me know if it delivers any results,” Massimo says. “For now, ensure the files are secure.”
J nods.
“What about Anais?” Massimo asks, eyeballing me.
“She’s still under full surveillance. Apart from trips to the salon and the odd shopping trip, she’s holed up in her new apartment. She calls or texts multiple times a day to irritate the fuck out of me. So far, Cruz hasn’t attempted to reach out to her. They haven’t been in contact.”
“She showed up at my office this afternoon,” Joshua says, and it’s the first I’m hearing it. “Her bodyguards were with her,and they gave me a heads-up,” he adds. “She saw reports on TV and figured it out.”
“Why did she go to you?”
“You weren’t home or answering your cell, and apparently I’m a good substitute,” he drawls. “Man, you deserve a medal for putting up with her shit for years. Five minutes in her company and I had a pounding headache and an almost overriding urge to toss her off the roof.”
“I’ll drop by her place on my way home,” I reluctantly concede. I’ve been avoiding her like the plague, but I get why she’s furious today. Her husband risked everything to grab his baby when he hasn’t made any effort to contact her. At least she didn’t end up with a bullet in her skull like Bettina. Can’t find it in me to feel too sorry for Ina though. She made her bed and paid the price.
“Has Sinaloa backed down?” Massimo asks Fiero.
“Yes, but it was touch and go for a while.”
“Told you it was a bad idea,” Cristian says. “Thank fuck, we didn’t actually go ahead with the deal. If they’re this pissy over a failed opportunity, imagine how bad it would’ve been if we’d reneged on an actual deal.”
“We were under pressure, but it was a bad call,” Massimo agrees.
“O’Hara came through for us again,” Joshua says. “He’s a solid ally.”
O’Hara had initially suggested a Sinaloa contact, but after thinking about it, he expressed concerns, and then he pulled out all the stops to find an alternative option in Europe. Our new ally covered the gap in our supplies for the couple months it took to get the Cali operation back on track, the Rinascita building repaired on Staten Island, and our product back on the streets in the quantities needed. To avoid a future issue, we are now sourcing twenty-five percent of our needs through thisEuropean partner. They’re happy to have a new supply chain in the city, and we have a backup in case of future production or shipping issues.
