Reno knew it was beyond them if what Lolo said was true. He pulled out his phone.
“Who are you calling at a time like this?” Trina asked.
“Uncle Mick,” Reno said.
Trina’s heart dropped. She’d just phoned him herself. “He’s out of the country,” she told him. “He’s coming back tomorrow.”
Reno looked at her as the phone on the other end of his call rang. “How would you know his schedule?”
But then Mick answered the call. “What?”
Reno placed the call on Speaker. “Uncle Mick, we’ve got a problem. Rats Scorvino snatched Dommi.”
“He snatched him? For what reason?”
“He’s back in the business again. But this time he’s the boss of the Arvanatti syndicate. Or did you know that already?”
“That’s my business what I know. Why would they snatch him?”
“They want the Arvanatti syndicate to pony up all their territory.”
“All of it?”
“All of it. They, in essence, want them out of business.”
“Which will never happen,” said Lolo. “Hey Mick.”
“What do you know about this situation, Lolo?”
“I know we’ll be going up against Fort Knots if we even try to penetrate their territory to get Dominic back.”
“Fort Knots? What are you talking about?”
“Rats Scorvino’s in Fort Knots, Mick,” said Sal.
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
“Mick?” asked Reno. “Are you still there?”
“Who told you Rats was in Fort Knots?” Mick asked.
“Lolo just told us,” said Sal.
“That’s not true,” Mick replied.
“That’s exactly what I said,” said Reno. “How a fucker like Rats is gonna afford that billion-dollar entrance fee?”
“Is that the reason, Unc?” asked Sal. “He can’t afford it?”
“No.”
“Then why?” Reno asked him.
“Because I’m the motherfucker that owns Fort Knots,” Mick said angrily, “and Rats Scorvino has nothing to do with that organization. That’s why!”
Reno and Sal looked at each other. They had no idea Mick had anything to do with Fort Knots! They also realized immediately that Lolo was running a number on them. Why hewas running it, they didn’t know. But he was running a number on them. And Reno’s eyes made it clear: It’s a set up!
Reno grabbed Trina and fell to the floor as Sal pulled out his gun with Robby and his capos following his lead. Lolo ducked out of the way as his men began pulling out their weapons to meet Sal’s firepower.
