Clean it up.
“Benny just texted. Romeo is dead. He and his boys are taking care of the cleanup.” I take a stogie from the humidor and light it. “Now we just need to wait for Sainte to check in. While we are waiting, call Marco and tell him it’s safe to bring everyone home.”
“Got one of those for me?” Ricco asks.
I turn the humidor to face him. “Of course. You don’t have to ask. Help yourself. Alex?”
“No, bro, I’m trying to quit.”
“Really?”
“Well, no, but it sounded good.” My brother, the comedian.
An hour passes and Zaira comes running into my office. “Oh, thank God you are all right, Michael.” She falls into my arms as I get up to greet her. Then she looks around and sees Ricco and Alex sitting across from my desk. “Oh forgive me, Michael. I’m sorry for interrupting.”
I laugh. “Darling, it’s fine. We’re just waiting for a call from Sainte. Once we get word from him, we can celebrate.”
Her head tilts to the side a little as she asks, “What do you mean?”
“It’s over, baby. The whole Gallardi deal is finished.”
“Really, babe?” She cries. “Oh, thank God!”
“It’s late, babe. As soon as I hear from Sainte, I’m calling it a night. Why don’t you go up and wait for me?”
She smiles. “Don’t be long?”
“I won’t, love. Be up soon.”
As Zaira leaves, my father enters.
“Boys,” he says. “I trust everything is under control.”
“Yep, just waiting to tie up one last loose end, Pop. It’s done, and Gallardi is finished.”
“Good. I knew you could handle it, son. I’m so proud of you.” He walks to me and gives me a hug, then turns to head for the door. “Good night, boys.”
“Night, Pop.”
Ricco and Alex both say good-night, and my father leaves.
About an hour later, my phone rings, it’s Sainte.
“Hello?”
“What the fuck happened, Mikey?” he yells in the phone.
“Calm down. Gio called and said Romeo came to the states and showed up here. He’s dead.”
“What?”
“It’s a long story. As long as you and Ice are safe, I’m calling it a night. We’ll fill you both in on the details in the morning. Just know that it’s finished.”
“Okay, Michael, we’ll talk in the morning.”
I disconnect the line and get up from my chair. “Good night, boys.”
“Good night, boss,” Ricco says, and he and Alex follow me out.
Hell, it’s been a long day, but we got so much accomplished. Now my family can go back to business as usual. No more fucking around with drug cartels, the CIA, or the FBI. Fuck that shit.
