Everything was simple until Gino had a stroke that incapacitated him. His son got power of attorney and has been trying to carve out a new deal, one where he takes a stake in the construction company.
It's not going to happen. We don't let outsiders in. Ever. They don't have the same loyalty as those of us who were born to this world. We've been burned in the past and it won't happen again.
We've tried offering more money but Angelo Esposito won't budge. He’s one of those men who looks at what his father hasbuilt and imagines he can do better. He can’t, and we’ve been patient for long enough waiting for him to figure that out.
Stronger measures will have to be taken and that's where I come in, or at least, Paolo does when he gets back from vacation.
Breaking Esposito's legs will be a good way for him to get into the swing of things again after two weeks of being with his family.
Paolo isn't the type of man to chill on the beach. If he hasn't found some adrenaline sport to take part in, he'll be about ready to explode when he returns. Angelo Esposito won't know what hit him.
"So what does Gabriele want to know by Friday?"
"Whether we're proceeding with the deal and teaching Esposito junior a lesson."
"Yes, we're proceeding." I spent time and effort on that deal. It's going ahead one way or the other. "Is that all you dropped in unannounced for? This could have been a phone call."
Lukas works his jaw. He's not happy with me right now. I wonder if he's irritated that Gabriele's giving me access again. Lukas was his gatekeeper for a while there when my cousin wanted to hold the outside world at bay.
Perhaps he liked it when he was the chosen one who was given free rein to come and go. I don't blame him for it. In fact, I'm glad he was there for Gabriele when his world was shattered.
"No, that's not all. I need your opinion on a couple of documents."
"Ever heard of email?"
"Yes, asshole, I have, but Gabriele wanted me to talk you through them."
"Fine. Show me."
He opens a new document on the tablet and slides it to the center of the table so I have to lean over to read it.
"This is a new staff contract for the clubs," I say. "It's pretty standard."
"Yes." Lukas agrees. "Damiano wants them implemented across all of our operations. Because you have a stake Gabriele wanted to be sure you were happy with the new paternity leave arrangements."
"What the fuck do I care?"
Our companies, the legitimate ones, have been growing more progressive in recent years.
It's not pure altruism. We've found our staff work harder and are more loyal if we treat them well.
I almost laugh. What would our grandfathers make of us turning their crime family into a considerate employer.
Lukas shrugs and swipes across the screen to open another document.
This one is an agreement to increase our supply of weapons to the Lenkov Bratva, one of our partners in a pan-European consortium that controls half the illegal activity on the continent.
The Lenkovs operate from the south of France. Keeping them well armed helps us all, especially since we move a lot of product through Marseilles.
This is not something I needed to have eyes on, though.
"What is this?" I ask Lukas. "Why are you really here?"
I suspect I already know the answer.
"Gabriele's unsettled. He wanted me to assess your situation."
"With Eliza, you mean."
