"Some might beg to differ." Costa continues to study me as Dad pours a little wine.
I try to keep my face hard but neutral. I know how these games are played, and the startup is a real business.
This isn't a mafia thing. Or it shouldn't be.
I righted certain wrongs, and payment should have been made to those deserving in the deal with Louie.
Sure, I get Louie fucking dabbled in things he shouldn't have. Made dodgy deals and screwed with the people he shouldn't have.
But if I'd been some rich fuck businessman, I doubt Costa would have done this.
There are other fucking ways.
Any other businessman would've liquidated. And he should have gone for Louie.
So, I tell Costa that. "Some might have. And if this had been a mafia business purchase, perhaps I'd understand."
Dad holds back, but the back of my neck sweats.
"Maybe it was."
"Louie's family is rich. Old money. His daddy is no doubt sick of paying for him, but the building belongs to them."
"And while they'll have no idea of his whereabouts, they are used to bailing him out, no questions. Rather, their team of lawyers is. You could have gone that route, Costa. But you didn't."
He sips his drink and almost smiles. "Your boy is smart, Mario."
Dad snorts.
"But maybe because my name is Marino, you thought I was low-hanging fruit. Well, I'm not."
"You could be wiggling out of things, the way people like Louie do."
Dad laughs.
I do too.
I hook a thumb at my father. "You think he bails me out? Or that I ask?"
"You're here, Enzo."
"Yes, to fix the mess you helped create. And there's no bailing. Dad's daughter? My sister? It's called vested interest."
"And yet, I'm the one screwed over."
I look him in the eye. "How is that my problem?"
He cuts his eyes from Dad to me. "How isn't it?"
"There wasn't a word in the exchange of money for the business about him owing any of the big or small families. And his regular monetary debts to do with the startup were taken care of in the purchase. So, the business was in my hands with a clean slate."
"And his problems came with it." The man stares me down.
I stare him down right back.
He is pushing to see if I crack or crumble. But there is only one weakness I have. Family. Lyndall, Lola. And yeah, even Dad.
I'm right, this man is wrong. And he knows it.
