“Of course not,” Luca placated him. “It’s just a precaution, my friend. I have many more enemies these days, and all it takes is one snake to slither into your home.” Though there was no accusation behind his words, it was clear that Luca found Gino’s security measures were severely lacking, therefore making him a weak link within the family.
The barb hit its mark. “No one would dare,” Gino said, his voice hard.
Luca gave him a tight smile, but said nothing more. He knew as well as I did that Gino’s lack of security and egotistical power trip was just asking for trouble. And eventually, it would find him. We could only hope that when it did, it didn’t ricochet throughout the entire family.
“The food is fine,” I told Luca. He’d argued with me when I told him that one of us should start doing this, and with Enzo newly married, it should be me. I owed Luca everything. I wasn’t going to take any risks with his life. And I didn’t trust Gino. He’d been after the boss position since Luca’s father, Luigi, was still alive. I wouldn’t put it past him to use any methods available to take out the competition. Even something as cowardly as poison.
Luca thanked me and picked up a clean fork, moaning with pleasure when he stuck a piece ofbistecca fiorentinain his mouth, the steak perfectly rare. “Mmm. Your chef has outdone herself this time, Gino.”
Somewhat placated, Gino told him, “Don’t be getting any ideas. I have no plans to give her up.” The two men laughed, then got back to matters at hand, Gino forgetting the perceived insult as quickly as it had happened.
Luna only appeared one more time to refill their wine glasses with a new bottle, which Gino ordered her to leave on the table, and then he dismissed her back to her room. She hesitated, her blue eyes taking on a wild look until Gino noticed her still standing there and glared at her, his meaning clear to all in the room. Without a word, she spun around and rushed out.
“What’s the situation with the Irish, Gino?” Luca’s question broke through the tension in the room as he cut off another piece of meat. “Is this something I need to take care of?” Whether he spoke of the Irish or Gino’s son, Salvatore, was hard to tell.
Gino kept eating. “I have it handled.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I am. I took Finn and Cian to dinner last night, and we came to an understanding.”
“What understanding?”
Gino didn’t answer.
“Gino, what deal did you make with the Irish?”
With a great sigh, he set down his fork, picked up his napkin, and dabbed at the corners of his mouth. “I offered them a twenty-five percent cut from the proceeds of our next delivery.”
Luca stilled. “You didwhat?”
Throwing his hands in the air and shaking his head, Gino said, “It was that, or give them my son. What else would you have me do, Luca?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “He’smio figlio. Myson. I’m not giving him up to those fucking Irish over a drunken misunderstanding.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Gino.”
“No one was even killed!” His voice rose. “They want me to hand over my boy so they can beat him to death, and I won’t do it.” He made a sound of disgust. “Why the fuck did they have to come here? They should’ve stayed in Seattle.”
Pushing his plate to the side and laying his napkin on the table, Luca leaned forward. “Listen to me. I’m not giving up twenty-five percent of my drug money. Not to the Irish or anyone else. And you don’t have the authority to make that kind of deal. I don’t give a fuck what the situation is.” He pointed at Gino’s chest. “You fucking deal with this. Salvatore is not an innocent boy. He’s a grown man. A dangerous man. If the Irish want him, give him to them. He can take care of himself. Or you work out something else. Something that doesnotinvolve me. I’m not giving them my money, and I’m not getting dragged into a fucking war because of yourstupid famiglia.”
Gino visibly bristled at the insult, but said nothing.
“I think we’re done here.” Luca pushed back his chair, and Enzo and I moved into position to escort him out.
Stopping behind Gino’s chair, Luca leaned down to speak into his ear. “Do not push me, Gino. And do not overstep your bounds like this again. This is your only warning.Comprendere?”Without waiting for an answer, Luca straightened, buttoned his jacket, and pulled the cuffs of his dress shirt out from under the sleeves.
“Compredere?”he repeated.
“Yes, I understand,” Gino answered. “I understand you’re not fit to be head of this family. You don’t even understand the meaning of the word.”
“I understand perfectly well what a family is and my responsibilities to them. But your son’s temper is your problem, not mine. Not any of the other capos. Sodeal with it.”
As we went to take our leave, three of Gino’s men appeared, blocking the exits.
My hand went to the pistol under my jacket, as did Enzo’s, his face hard beneath his sunglasses.
A cold smile teased the corners of Luca’s mouth. “Are we doing this, then?”
A heartbeat passed. Then another, as we waited for Gino’s decision. I shifted my weight, ready to jump in front of Luca as soon as the need arose.
