“I stayed in Florence after I got Argon’s book to have some fun, see some friends. I wanted to meet Luciano, seeing as how I’d like to get to know him better. He runs tough streets.”
“Hm, I thought you hated Italy.”
“Truth be told, I wanted to see my daughter.”
That I can understand. Mom had breast surgery to remove the cancer and is resting at home. I need to see her but there never seems to be enough time. Plus, I’m still not over the secret she kept. Ironically, I think I would have figured it out myself if I were able to spend more time with the Michelis.
“So, would you like to come over?”
“Valentina is there, right?”
“Yes, thankfully I was able to get out of that hotel when she fainted.” I pop nicotine gum in my mouth to get my fix.
“That was a surprise. With Luciano dead we have to worry over who will lead the Costa Nostra. The authorities questioned me. I’m surprised they didn’t tell me to stay in the country.”
“They don’t have to, Albania just updated their treaty with the U.S., United Kingdom and Italy a few weeks ago. They are uniting to ‘better confront crime’, they say. Extradition is easy now.”
Grandfather coughs and I wish he would give up those damn stogies. I’m glad I stopped smoking. With Mama having breast cancer I’m now concerned about a Grandfather who prefers the older, non-traditional methods for ailments. I mean, horse cream for ligaments can work on bursitis, which he has in his left arm, but it won’t cure lung cancer.
“Fuck, I hate the way these countries are going. We built Albania out of war and chaos. This is our thanks,” he grumbles. “Tell me what you find out about Argon, I have people working on the inside.”
Great, more officials on the payroll.
“I’m working on it,” I reply.
“You’ll be even busier with a woman in the house. I didn’t mean you had to get a wife right away, Massimo. I just didn’t want you to be alone forever. It’s not good, you lose the will to live when you have nothing to look forward to.”
“Are you okay?”
“Of course, I’m too miserable to die. I’ll go when I want to go. By the way, I saw Dante frisked at the wedding and they arrested him.”
“What? You’re withholding the most important news of the day!”
“I thought you might be busy mounting that filly all night.” He laughs at his joke.
This is fucked up and disrespectful to talk about my future wife that way.
“A marriage is still a marriage no matter how it begins.” I make my point and he gets the message.
“Sorry, she’s a gorgeous girl, I’m sure you’ll be happy. Let me know when you set a date.”
“Fine, I’d better go see what I can find out about Dante.”
Fuck, he’s my brother and now I’m the one keeping secrets from a dangerous man.
“Do your sources have more intel?” I ask.
“He’ll be bonded out. The cops found a vial of something in his pocket. Maybe it was used to kill Luciano. But that’s too easy, had to be planted.”
“There’s a conspiracy going on; first Argon, now Luciano. And it’s two totally different syndicates, what is the connection?”
“You think there is one?”
“Wars are typically tit for tat and between the same families, like when the Contis and Michelis went at it. Bad blood or one crazy asshole. But this doesn’t sit right. It’s not the normal progression of heightened tension, followed by retaliation, and then a sit down or another retaliation.”
There has to be a connection between the two murders. I feel it in my gut and as a man that has killed plenty, I’m usually right.
“You might have a point. I need you to make sure the shipments from De Luca’s family are on time. I need to line up details with our friend in Belarus. The Russians don’t like to be kept waiting. Ironic considering they don’t give a fuck about their own people.”