“Who needs daddy’s money when you can have mine, hmm,cara mia?” He looks back to Alina with a hint of danger in his eyes.
“You two have a good night. Don’t forget the Primi I recommended. I can assure you it does taste as impressive as it sounds.” He says with a wink as he turns to walk towards the back of the restaurant.
Fantastic. I wonder just how much of our conversation he heard.
When he walks through the double doors out of sight, I turn to my best friend in disbelief.
“Alina, I love you so much. But how the fuck do get into these situations? Who is he?” I ask genuinely concerned.
“He’s the guy I was dancing with at the club the other night before getting bored of him and telling him to disappear.” She groans, reaching to lift the money he left on the table to put in her purse.
“That’s it!” I basically shout and I slam my hand down on the table which causes some people dining at the surrounding tables to turn and look at us, as well as Alina now looking at me like I have five heads.
I glance at the other couples and parties at their tables and smile shyly before turning back to Alina.
“I knew I recognised him from somewhere.” I say a little more subtly.
“I’m surprised you remember him considering as soon as I got back to you at the bar is when the shots decided to hit you.” She laughs.
“Well if we end up going out tonight I’m limiting myself to two drinks. I swear.” I say as I hold three fingers up on my righthand in a girl scouts promise. Alina looks at me blankly for a few seconds before bursting out laughing as if she knows tonight will end up just as messy as it did two nights ago. I laugh along with her as a waiter comes a minute later to take our drink and food orders.
We chat our usual talk about books, work and funny memories until thirty minutes later our food is in front of us, and I hate to admit, but it does taste as good as it all sounds.
Chapter Five
Dragna
We pull up to the back entrance of the restaurant, Lev and I in one car and five of our most trusted men in another car behind us. I wait for Mikhail to exit the car and open my door. Something we don’t normally do unless it’s a formal setting and we’re being watched.
I don’t like others knowing my men are all like family to me. It means they can be used as leverage against me if the opportunity ever arises. Which after we deal with Nero tonight, it might.
We put on the front that Mikhail is just my driver, doing his job of practically being my replaceable slave.
The back door of the BMW opens and I step out onto the pavement with Lev jumping out right behind me. We have another car of five more men parked round the side waiting for a call from Mikhail should shit hit the fan.
Some Italians hang round the back door watching us all exit our cars, sizing us up as though they believe they could actually take us on. I almost want to laugh that they think they’d have a chance considering the Don hasn’t been around for years. It’s why they’ve always been second to us and why we run this territory.
Nero and his father have been in New York for years, but the Don is usually away on other business, only flying back when needs be, leaving his Capo to run things here on his behalf. What has finally brought him back here for good is the fact he has set up the new restaurant that we are having this meeting at.
Cigar smoke fills the air and the smell of food coming from the kitchen makes its way to us from the back doors being pulled open and my men make their way towards Lev and I, ready to flank us in enemy territory.
As the doors fully open, Marco Moretti, the Don of the Italian mafia steps out wearing a sharply tailored suit and shiny black shoes. He’s holding a glass of whiskey and there’s a cigar hanging out of his mouth.
Marco couldn’t get more cliché mobster if he tried. I want to laugh again, but I’m reminded about why we are really here when Matteo Conti and his fucker of a son Nero walk outside behind Marco.
I see from the corner of my eye Lev clenching his right hand beside me. He wants to grab Nero and deal with him straight away, forgetting we have been invited here for business.
“Benvenutigentlemen. I’m pleased you could make it.” Marco greets us as he stands there assessing just how many men we have brought with us for what should be a simple business meeting.
“You don’t trust us Dragna?” He raises a brow in my direction.
“Can never be too careful Don. Can’t ever be too sure of the company you keep these days.” I reply while staring right at Nero as he shifts uncomfortably beside his father, whose expression doesn’t give away much.
“Come, let’s move this to my office.” Marco says as his men continue holding the doors open.
Lev and I walk in line silently behind Nero and his father who follow closely behind Marco with men from both sides following in behind us.
We reach the office without seeing a glimpse of the front restaurant or diners. It’s a good layout to hide their dirty business dealings I’ll give him that.
