Page 72 of The Arianna Arrangement

Tucker

Even though the news broke last night and it seemed Bradley and his family had gone into hiding, everyone had to take their guards with them to school again today. Much to Ari, Leyla, and Potter’s irritation.

The last thing we needed was to pull away security right after this news broke. It could make people suspicious that we were involved with the leak of information and no one was going to risk that possible outcome.

Also, just because they were in hiding didn’t mean the threat was gone. I wasn’t going to be the one to break that news to Leyla and Potter, but I could manage my wife. As much as she might not have liked it, she understood that this bomb would rock the five families and we’d need to be extra vigilant while shit got sorted.

Sandro

Thinking of picking up roses from the market for Valentina today. The foyer is looking a little dull.

Over the summer, Sandro and I had worked on coming up with and memorizing code words to help us communicate in a way that wouldn’t give anything away if it was found. The code could be the message, or in this case, the code would tell me we needed to talk.

Roses said that he wanted to talk to me. The market meant it was about business. The foyer signaled it was a family matter. Having both in the same text confused and worried me after yesterday’s bomb was dropped.

We each had a satellite phone with a secured line that couldn’t be tapped, so I knew this meant he wanted me to call.

Me

Sounds nice. I bet she’d love that. What color are you thinking? Red?

Sandro

I was thinking about lavender.

Me

She does seem to like purple. A dozen would probably look nice there.

Sandro

I agree. Thanks.

I let out a sigh of relief as I sat back in my chair. Any shade of purple meant that it wasn’t an emergency, just to call when I could. I had my first morning of classes this morning and would have a break around noon. Thankfully, he agreed that would be a good time, so it looked like I’d be taking the sat phone and calling from my car.

Even though his message said it wasn’t urgent, I struggled to listen in my classes. They seemed to drag by as anticipation coursed through me. When the professor let us out at about eleven thirty, I couldn’t wait to get to my car and make the call.

Sean trailed after me and as much as I trusted him, I didn't want him privy to this call. “Wait outside the car.”

He gave me a small nod of acknowledgement and leaned against the hood while I closed the door and powered up the phone.

I dialed the number I’d memorized, not wanting to risk someone finding the phone and having a way to get ahold of Sandro. The phone rang twice before he answered.

“A little earlier than expected.”

Even though he’d told me it wasn’t urgent, hearing his voice sound calm helped to soothe my nerves. “Class let out early and I’ve been on edge since your text.”

“Understandable. Sorry to have worried you. I just wanted to discuss what’s happened since the news aired last night. I assume Ari is still protected by her guard?”

I scoffed. “Of course. All of the Givenchy’s are. We thought it would look odd if suddenly they weren’t escorted everywhere. It would make everyone question why we suddenly stopped.”

Sandro let out a hum. “Good thinking. The syndicate called an emergency meeting last night. Half of the Carbone lieutenants have gone into hiding to evade the FBI. Pinkston was taken into custody, as was the Bronx police assistant chief. Since no one knew about us catching Pinkston double crossing my father, no eyes turned our way. The Accardi’s are the only ones that know about us getting out of the sex trade, but with the brothel up and running, and the fact that we don’t have to smuggle women across state or national borders for that, they didn’t seem concerned about the bust happening in the Bronx.

“If anything, Adriano probably sees this as an opportunity for him to expand. With eyes on the Bronx, it leaves the rest of us with a little breathing room. Federally speaking, anyway. There’s a chance that local police will want to crack down, but I’m not too concerned. It was agreed though that if the Blackwoods are found, they are to die. Obviously, Carbone wants their heads so we agreed it would be his kill. When I hear something, I’ll let you know.”

I let out a sigh of relief, glad that nothing seemed to be coming back on us. Yet. But if there was a lot of commotion in the city and the families were scrambling, would this change things for Sandro? “Did this fuck up wedding plans?” It hadn’t even crossed my mind when Ari gave us the intel.

“Nah. Calling off or postponing the wedding would be a red flag to authorities. And honestly, I think that Adriano is relieved to not have to keep an eye on Valentina during all of this.”