It almost feels real.
7
SETTIMO
“Would you sit down? You’re giving me a headache.”
I abruptly stop pacing and glare at Lorenzo. My brother amazes me with his ability to stay calm in every situation.
I know he feels anger. There are small tells, nearly imperceptible twitches you’d never spot if you didn’t grow up with him. He must feel love, happiness, and all the other fruity shit that comes with finding the woman of your dreams, because he’s getting married. But his ability tohidethose emotions is uncanny. I have no idea if he’s still grieving our father’s death or if he has at all.
There are three other men in the room besides Lorenzo. Anthony, my youngest brother who’s considered the “reasonable” one. Blade, the youngest capo in the familia, but the most competent in my opinion, now that Lorenzo is underboss. And Leo Romano.
Leo is nearing sixty, but he’s in good health and keeps up like he’s in his forties. He’s been in this business for forty years, and he was underboss for a decade while I was too young to take his place. He was at these meetings when my father was alive, and out of respect, he’s still here. Personally, I think he’s too stuck in his ways to provide the wisdom you’d hope to get from someone like him.
I breathe deeply and try to calm myself. It doesn’t work.
“Who thefuckdoes he think he is?” I ask no one in particular. My chest rumbles, and a growl barrels out of me as I slam my fist on my desk. Anthony flinches. The others’ faces are blank.
They sit in chairs arranged in a half circle in my home office. We never hold these meetings at my commercial office. That’s more for legitimate business.
“It’s a power play,” Lorenzo says. “Nikita is testing you. It isn’t personal, Settimo. New management, new negotiations.”
I laugh dryly. “Of courseit’s personal. Don’t be naive.”
“I think we should meet him in the middle,” Anthony says.
My jaw clenches, and I slowly turn my head toward him. He looks a little nervous, knowing he’s about to piss me off.
Nikita Petrov, the Pakhan of the Russian mob, is the reason for this meeting. He and I have never gotten along, even when we were growing up…especiallywhen we were growing up. We’re about the same age, both born into our roles, both groomed for this. Our fathers managed to keep peace and even do business together, but as soon as Nikita took over, he made waves. He demanded to speak to my father directly on all matters, and I begrudgingly stepped to the side. As you can imagine, things have gotten tense since Syrus’s passing.
And now he’s accused me of theft, of cutting our product with powdered sugar and Ajax before selling it to him. The familia manufactures our own white-powdered heroin, the purest in Las Vegas, and part of our peace with the Russians is due to selling them a fair amount. It’s a much better deal for them than when they were having it smuggled. The smuggled shit was a lower grade, and they had no hope of competing with us. Selling them our product is akindness,a symbol of respect, a hope for a symbiotic relationship.
Our relationship is rocky at best, and Nikita is making himself perfectly clear. There’s only room for one alpha in Las Vegas.
Anthony shrugs. “Look, I know Nikita is an asshole, but he’s the Bratva’s head. If he says our product doesn’t meet his standards, maybe it would be best if we didn’t call him a liar. I mean,” Anthony shifts his gaze to the other men, “did anyone here personally check the batch?”
Leo is the only one who shakes his head. “No. We didn’t. It’s a mistake on our part, and one that can be corrected.”
My part.He means my part.
Leo looks at Blade. This is Blade’s department, and he’s been noticeably quiet in this meeting. “I don’t mean any disrespect, but I don’t trust the crew you’ve assembled. I don’t believe Syrus would’ve approved of them either.”
I bristle. “Syrus isn’t here.”
Leo turns his head to me. “As I said, I mean no disrespect.”
“I’ll do a thorough check into my men,” Blade says. I can feel his eyes on me, but I allow my stare to linger on Leo before turning my attention to Blade. “I assure you, Don Settimo, the initial background checks I did were extensive. But if something slipped through the cracks, I’ll find it, and I’ll check the batches personally from now on.”
I nod, but I have no intention of leaving it up to Blade. I’m ninety-eight percent sure Nikita is full of shit, but I won’t leave that two percent to chance. Checking it myself will give me peace of mind. “Good.”
I lean against my desk and take a breath. I don’t know what to do. If I push too hard, I’ll start a war, but I don’t like the idea of giving in and admitting to a mistake I didn’t make, either. Even if it’s the one time.
My chest starts to ache. I miss my father. The lifeless bastard would know what to do. He never knew how to love, but he knew how to guide.
I blink away my memories. I don’t need him.
“I’ll set up a meeting with Nikita,” I say. I turn to Lorenzo. “I have no intention of any negotiations. The price is set, and it is firm.”