I bring my glass to my lips instead of waving back. I don’t smile. I don’t nod. I just stare back at her with as blank a face as I can manage. She looks away.
I’ve thought about her more than I’ve thought about anything since the conversation with Lorenzo. If I’m being honest, it was before that too, but that isn’t the point. The more I analyze it, the more I question her intentions.
She and Paolo make their way farther into the room with Paolo greeting people as they go. He doesn’t even introduce Alex to anyone. She stands back and tosses me an occasional glance.
I set my drink on the table and stand.
“Mr. Gruco.”
Blade steps up to me, his hands in his pockets.
I look from Alex to my best capo and my friend. “We’re not in a meeting, Blade. Just call me Settimo.”
He nods. “Just playing it safe. Thought you might be pissed at me still.”
I roll my eyes. “I was never pissed at you. What’s up?”
“I did a thorough check on my guys, talked to them, and no one’s owning up to cutting the product. The men at the drop said Nikita’s guys checked it and seemed pleased enough.” He lets out a breath. “I could be wrong, but I don’t believe there was any foul play on our part. There’s no evidence suggesting otherwise.”
“Nikita seems adamant about it.”
Blade blinks. “You already had the meeting with him?”
I shake my head. A pang of regret hits me for not filling him in already, but frankly, Iama little pissed at him. If he would’ve just checked the heroin himself, there wouldn’t be any room for doubt that our product is pure.
“He refused to see me. Sent one of his henchmen instead.”
Blade sighs. “I take it that didn’t go well.”
I laugh dryly. “No, it didn’t. He has one less henchman.”
“You’ve never heard the expression ‘don’t shoot the messenger’?”
“I didn’t shoot him.”
Blade’s eyes fill with malicious amusement, and he smiles. When it falls, his eyes grow serious. “So what does that mean for us?”
My chest tightens. I don’t regret the decision, and I never will, regardless of what happens now. I’m sick of Nikita, and I refuse to bow to that slimy motherfucker. But what does this mean for us? I don’t know.
“It means you should watch your back for now.” I shrug. “I don’t know if he plans on retaliating or if he’s going to finally get that I’m not interested in playing his games. If he does retaliate…”
War.
Blade nods. “We’ll be prepared.” His hands move from his pockets, and he scratches the back side of his neck. He stares at nothing for a moment, wanting to say something else.
“What is it?” I ask.
He drops his hand. “I’m just wondering if you’ve considered using Romano to smooth things out.”
“If Nikita isn’t willing to deal with me, he isn’t going to deal with the familia. Period.”
“Right,” Blade says, skeptically. He takes a long breath. “But do you think it’s possible the reason he doesn’t want to deal with you is personal. Because of—”
“I don’t care.”
Blade nods and must sense the finality in my tone because he straightens and keeps his mouth shut.
Yes, it’s personal. It’s always been personal. I don’t expect Nikita to like me, not after everything that happened when we were kids, but that’s just it. We werekids. We’re men now. It’s time to put that feud in the past and do what’s best for our families.