I nod. “I’m not a fool. I’m a woman. That’s a normal rule for us.”
Chapter 12 - Frankie
When I first saw Dave in my club, I didn’t recognize him. That’s really dangerous because I always make sure to know every key operator and family member of the important crime families that interact with or around us. The world of mobsters and mafia is unforgiving, and there are rules you don’t break. It’s an eye for an eye, you hurt one of their family, and they’re entitled to come after one of yours.
I wouldn't have gone to town on him if I had known that Dave was the lovechild of the Catalan Don’s brother. I probably would have reached out to Jose Catalan to deal with Dave himself. It’s how things are done.
Now, I must deal with the consequences of my actions, and Alessandro is beyond irritated about the situation.
After all, Jose and Alessandro had a peace treaty in place even though every family knew that Jose wanted to take over our territory in New York. He can’t attack us outright without cause because the other families will rally behind us. Another unspoken rule, but now he has leverage to get his revenge, and I know he won’t stop until he gets it.
I frown; it’s a weak excuse at best. I didn’t kill the kid. I just had him put in the hospital. I don’t have any regrets, and that’s probably what Alessandro finds most annoying about the situation. I’ve given them an in, and I would do it again if I were presented with the same problem.
Amelia is still asleep as I sit in my room, scanning over the files sent to me on my phone. Jose Catalan reigns over the drug trade in most areas of South America, and he’s made several plays to get into the US. We allow him in our area under supervision. I know he doesn’t like that. He’ll like it even less when Alessandro denies him trade in our territories because of this move. It’ll start a war between our families, one that we may find difficult to fight.
I know he has a few states already under his control, but he’s been after our territories for a while. He’s never satisfied, which is a bad trait for a Don. You have to know when to play your move, not just play what your temper says you should. It’s how Dons fall, fast and hard, but until we have a solid plan for how to deal with Jose and his goons, I need to make sure that Amelia is safe. We must get out of Maryland and back to New York, pronto.
No other family will get involved in this, but I know they’ll be watching closely to see who comes out top. Not everyone is happy with us. Although we try to keep good relationships, sometimes our paths cross in an unpleasant way.
It’s just the way things are.
I get up and pour myself a whiskey. I’ve booked a ticket on a bus for Amelia to take back to New York. I’m hoping that traveling away from me in an unexpected way will make her less of a target since I’m the one who attacked Dave.
I’ll be going my own way, and I have some people who resemble the two of us taking another route. Hopefully, it’s enough to confuse the people following us, and we can get back under my family's protection without a hitch.
I’ll have to explain this to Amelia. I don’t think she will be afraid, but she needs to be vigilant.
My phone rings.
“Alessandro,” I say in greeting.
“Frankie, your transport leaves this afternoon. I’ve sent some extra guys to see you guys here safely. Don’t take any chances. Jose won’t care about hurting a few people to get to you.”
“He hasn’t attacked us here,” I say quietly.
“I said a few. That’s too many people,” Alessandro says grumpily. “Now listen, you get back here, and you get straight to safety. Don’t go around town trying to do any business or anything. We don’t know how many of his soldiers are in town and waiting for you.”
“Understood,” I say with a sigh. “I didn’t know this guy, Alessandro. I didn’t know he was connected.”
“I know, Frankie, neither did we. When the guys first asked around about him, they were told he’s some low-rolling drug dealer to the stars. No one knew his connection to Jose.” Alessandro breathes deeply. “But what is done is done. I know you would do it again. Stupid, but I know you would do it for Amelia.”
“She’s family,” I say calmly. “Family comes first. Surely, we can say he attacked her, and she’s our family.”
“Tried, but we’ve received word that Amelia had been with Dave the same day when the fight happened, so she couldn’t have been with you or planned to marry you. They’re angling this well to make us look like we did this as a direct attack on them.” Alessandro sighs, then continues, “I’ll figure something out. I just need to think things over and work out how I’m going to do this.”
“I’m thinking on it too. There must be a way to either get him off our backs or put him in his place, though I feel like putting him in his place is going to be the option we’re going to have to take.” I sip my whiskey. “Would be nice.”
“Could be deadly,” Alessandro points out to me. “Be logical, Frankie, don’t let your feelings for Amelia start to cloud your judgment. You’re the business-minded one. I trust you’ll come up with a solution long before I do. I have to go. I have a meeting. Don’t get killed, baby brother.”
I smile. “Don’t worry. I don’t intend to.”
I hang up and look out over the ocean. I hear Amelia’s door open, and I leave my room, whiskey in hand, and I watch as she walks toward the living area, already dressed.
“Good morning,” I say calmly.
“Morning,” she greets me. “Are there any updates?”
I nod. “We’re leaving today to go back home. We are to go straight home, with no detours. But there will be a few adjustments to the plan. I’ll explain shortly.”