Then again when gambling got legalized in the seventies.
Those had been prime times for organized crime, back when the mafia basically ran the area like their own corrupt resort town.
I couldn’t imagine how many bodies were buried in the foundations of all those buildings on and around the Boardwalk.
I didn’t know the exact reasons the mob lost its foothold down there. I imagined it had something to do with RICO statutes and the whole Rat Era, where Made members were turning on the organization left and right to get shorter sentences. Or witness relocation.
The Families everywhere started to crumble.
The only reason things seemed to be making a comeback was because these new crews—like ours and several of the ones in the city—had loyalty that came from blood, not just connection. We were a Family but also family. That shit made a difference.
This Remo guy, despite being a stranger to all of us, was blood too.
“I’m game,” I said.
“You don’t even know what the job is.”
“Does it matter?” I asked.
“Christ,” Luca said with a little chuckle. He glanced toward Domenico. “Were we ever as cocky and reckless as these young bloods?”
I wasn’t that young.
But being the ‘baby’ of the family meant I was often on the tail end of a lot of ribbing.
“Well, I was. You had that ‘future boss’ mantle to carry around that slowed you up,” Dom said, shrugging. “But for the record, I’m in too.”
Luca shook his head.
“Alright. Well, I can’t send you in blind, so keep your asses in your seats to hear me out before you rush off to pack.”
He knew me too well.
And Domenico was still in his ‘soaking up outside life’ ever since he got released from prison. So I could see him eager to experience Atlantic City just for a change of pace.
“Remo has managed to take control of an area of AC. But he has his sights set high. And he has one target he wants to take down.”
“A major player, it sounds like,” I said.
“Yeah. Both in money and influence. And he needs some unknown faces to help him work on this job. That’s where you two come in.”
“And we’re getting paid for this?” I asked, not wanting to waste days or weeks of my life on a job that would pad someone else’s pockets.
“Yes. From both Remo and me for the job itself, since I’m now invested in the outcome of it. And in a kick-up to be determined later. Things are still new down there, so I’m not sure how much the revenue is going to be right now.”
“Hey, any residuals is money we don’t have to work for,” Dom said, shrugging.
“Exactly. Remo is going to be keeping me updated, but I want check-ins from both of you too. Especially if you think, at any point, that Remo is in over his head and needs additional help.”
“Got it,” I agreed. “Do we need to make arrangements, or—”
To that, Luca chuckled.
“I’ll send the hotel reservation information to your phones.”
“Knew we were game before we even got here?” I asked.
“Had a hunch,” he agreed.
