Chapter 26
1947words
I disconnect the call as I speed toward the docks.
I survey the ten men arrayed in a wide semicircle around the metal desk I'm propped against in the otherwise empty warehouse. Every one of them is a vital cog in the extensive network of businesses and families that make up the Outfit, each also responsible for defending it by any means necessary.
'Romario's audacity has reached new heights," I say to them. 'We're all aware of the Leo situation. What I'm going to say next is something I never thought I'd be saying to you, but desperate times are upon us, so here goes," I shift, looking straight at each of them as I continue to speak.
'Let Leo's fate be a lesson in stupidity. Remind your soldiers: there's no greener pasture elsewhere. A rat remains a rat, no matter the side of the fence. Anyone wants to get out of this life, buy your own fucking body bag and lie in it. Don't bring your families into it. Understood?"
Solemn nods of assent come from each of the men.
'Great. Now, onto our strategy. What do we have?"
Damon steps forward. 'It's confirmed: Romario's aligning with the Mexicans. Our best chance to eliminate him is now before he becomes—frankly—too powerful for us to handle."
Pietro clears his throat. 'But why is Romario so fixated on trafficking that he'd risk everything to side with the Cartel?"
Enzo, the rail-thin Capo who took over Leo's position in arms dealing, pipes up, 'Pietro, you're overlooking the narcotics. Romario is after a slice of the Cartel's drug trade, which means diving into their trafficking operations."
True. Narcotics have sustained the Romario family for generations. My father's sudden decision to purge the Outfit of narcotics stripped Romario of his family honor and livelihood, and led to his rebellion.
I step in, eager to conclude, 'Anyway, it's time to settle this once and for all. Damon is right; we don't have time. Romario's soldier had the drop on me when he took out Leo. It's only a matter of time before Romario starts regretting that the fucker didn't aim a little to the left."
'He's probably regretting it already, fratello," Damon quips, prompting laughter from the room.
'Salvatore?" I summon the youngest Capo. He still has a small bandage over his right ear, but otherwise, he looks impeccable in his suit. His skills in tech and espionage is crucial for our planning.
'Sì, Signore?"
'You and Damon should come up with a road map in the next two weeks. I want Romario in a place where we can swiftly put him in the ground along with his Capos, in the shortest possible time. A place that will have no innocent civilians.
'Done." Salvatore smiles, I can tell he's already excited at the prospect.
After wrapping up other matters, I signal for the men to disband.
Orlando De Luca approaches as the men leave, his agility belying his robust build. Though in his early fifties, he looks about a decade younger.
'Don Vitalo," he greets with a respectful nod. His ever-present toothpick is nowhere to be found today.
'Signor De Luca," I return the greeting. 'How's Alina?" I make myself ask, cringing inwardly because I don't really give a fuck.
Damon leers at me from behind De Luca. I owe that little shit a nice butt kick just for that stupid look.
'Alina is… as strong-willed as you can imagine. Children nowadays think they know more than you. What can you do as a father except to guide and love them?"
My fake smile falters. Something about De Luca's tone concerns me. That's the first time he mentions Alina being strong-willed. Orlando is a seasoned Capo who knows how to choose his words. He knows that such traits aren't touted in talks of arranged marriages.
'Is everything alright, Orlando?"
Orlando cocks his head to the side, indicating he wants a private audience.
'Fratellino give us five minutes, will you?" I catch Damon's gaze.
As soon as Damon leaves, Orlando starts to speak in very cautious tones, as though he's trying his best not to offend his young, hot-tempered boss. I initially thought the problem was that Alina wasn't interested or ready to get married.
It turns out that Alina is eager to be married, just not to me. She wants Damon, much to Orlando's dismay. And to my intense relief.
'Once again, I am terribly sorry, Don Vitalo. But it's just a minor setback. I will talk to her." Orlando promises.
'There's no need for that," I reply. 'We agreed on a Vitalo, and a Vitalo you shall get. Besides, we must respect the wishes of our daughters, don't we, Signor De Luca?" I continue, noting the intense relief on Orlando's face. 'As for Damon, how could he refuse? Even Aphrodite herself should be envious of Alina's beauty and grace." I flash him a genuine smile, stretching out my left hand to him.
'Don Vitalo. You are indeed an honorable man. I am indebted to you." He bows low, kissing the signet ring on my outstretched hand.
Orlando leaves as both a loving father and a satisfied and loyal Capo, while I'm suddenly free of my obligation. And Damon, well, he's now landed himself a wife. It's a win-win-win situation.
I just need to find a way to break the good news to him.
'De Luca looks happy as a clam." Damon returns to my side, leaning against the metal desk.
'He's getting what he wants: A Vitalo son-in-law, and I have his loyalty."
Damon folds his arms, his thumb stroking his jawline thoughtfully. 'Since he's going to be family, maybe you could convince him to leave the smuggling and counterfeiting business and move to Voltex."
Voltex is the recently acquired lithium-ion plant and one of the fully legitimate Outfit businesses.
'And kick him out of a job? No can do, Damon. I'm not about to groom another rebellion."
'I don't see what he'd have to fucking complain about. He'll be handling one of the most profitable businesses on God's green earth. In addition to being your father-in-law."
Yours, actually, I think to myself. Damon has no qualms about handling the dark, violent edges of our lives without qualms. Yet deep down, he wants something better. In a way, he reminds me of Sapphire. Although, to be honest, every fucking thing seems to remind me of Sapphire these days.
'Damon," I say, clapping a hand on his shoulder. 'You forget what men like Orlando De Luca are made of. He needs the darkness, the depravity. It's like putting a saltwater fish in fresh water and wondering why it can't appreciate the cleaner environment."
'Are you saying you would not have banned Romario's narcotics like Father did?"
I shrug, turning the question back to him. 'Would you have, Damon?"
'Hell fucking yes! Left to me, we would be legitimizing all Outfit businesses. And I know you want to kick out the illegal businesses too, Zade."
I smile, loving Damon's fire. 'You're right, I do. But remember, the Outfit isn't just you and me. It's those other men and their families. So instead of forcing them to do what you want, we need to get them to see that they want the same things."
'I don't have patience for that!"
I laugh, ruffling his long wavy mane, something he's hated since we were boys. 'I know. You'd rather drop the proverbial horse's head on their beds."
'Get off me," he elbows my side, and I respond with a hard shove to his head, which sends him stumbling a few steps before he catches himself, springing back toward me with a punch that I easily dodge.
'What happened to your reflexes, fratello?" I taunt. 'Too many nights drowning in red wine?" Red wine is my euphemism for the woman who broke his heart a while back.
'Asshole!" Lightning fast, his fist catches me swiftly on the jaw before I can duck, snapping my head sideways. Damon has an inch on me in height, but I've always been faster with my hands.
Must be the rage driving his reflexes today. Why is he still so angry, though? It's been, what, two years? Maybe Alina is just what he needs to forget this woman.
I put my hands up in surrender, then go to hug him. 'Okay fine. I'm sorry." He shoves me, but then pulls me in. Within seconds, we're both laughing again.
I start to broach the marriage topic, but before I can open my mouth, he deflects and instead asks, 'Zade, that MC club up in San Diego County." He hesitates, then continues, 'That federal agent."
I straighten instantly, losing the goofy brother and adopting the Don persona. It's a change that usually throws Damon off any topic I'm unwilling to discuss with him. This time though, he doesn't relent.
'You said it was a problem you couldn't deal with, Zade. And you still won't let me or anyone else sort it out."
'Damon—"
'Does it have anything to do with that woman you spared?"
I cut him a look and see that his smirk is back. I sigh, suddenly weary of acting like I'm not in trouble where Sapphire is concerned. 'The MC club and federal agent—they're her family."
'That Cade Quinn is her family?" Damon looks like he's eaten something bad.
Believe me, I hate him too.
'He's her adoptive brother or something crazy like that. The bottom line is I can't hurt him." I say into the silence.
Damon huffs a sigh of disbelief. 'Just as you said, Zade, it's not about what you want. It's what the Outfit wants. I don't suppose the rest of the Capos would agree for you to spare Quinn, too."
I shoot him a vicious look. 'What, are you planning to tell them?"
'Don't be a fucking dumbass, Zade," Damon shoots back.
Instantly, Sapphire's face flashes before me. It used to be only Damon who could speak to me like this and get away with it. Now, it seems both Sapphire and Damon get to do it.
They'd both get on like a house on fire, actually.
The thought slips in from nowhere, warming me before I catch myself and mentally stamp it out.
'Zade," Damon sighs again, his voice almost pleading. 'We're heading for a war in the next few weeks. You don't want this Quinn guy running loose and fucking things up. You're already on his radar."
Don't I know it? I hate this helplessness, this feeling like my hands are tied.
'Quinn wouldn't dare kick against me, Damon," I say without real conviction. 'It's the fucking Outfit. A century-old establishment that has survived—thrived despite thousands of men like him."
'And it's survived because it consistently eliminated threats like him. Look, I have the drop on the guy—"
'For the last time, Damon," I growl. 'You do not touch that man."
Damon stares at me for a full minute like I've lost my mind, and then his face smoothes into his signature smirk, his own mask, so to speak.
'Si, Don Vitalo," he inclines his head but not in mockery. Quite the opposite I think. Something like genuine respect. But I may be wrong.
What the fuck do I know these days?
I nod, clapping him on the shoulders. 'Keep Salvatore in line, fratellino. He's easily excited… distracted."
'I know fratello. Will do."
I leave Damon staring after me, wondering what the hell that look was about.
