Miller shakes my hand, firmer than I anticipated him to. “You won’t. He’s occupied with other business. You’ll be dealing directly with me.”
Dominic stands but doesn’t come any closer. “This isn’t what we agreed to.”
"This is what you'll have to accept because Johnny is away on other business." Miller doesn't back down despite Dominic easily doubling him pound for pound. "With all due respect, Mr. Adler, I've been with Luciano since a young age. I know the ins and outs of the organization better than anyone alive, and there isn't a person more capable of handling today's affairs than I am. Now, with that being said, shall I leave, or can we continue?"
Dominic chuckles. “Audacious young lad, are we?”
"Please don't insult my intelligence because of whatever biased impression you have of me based on my age and appearance. The late Luciano and I ran a successful operation with next to no issues for many years until your predecessor came to kill his own flesh and blood." Miller stares directly at Dominic with each word. "I don't question the way you run things, now I'd appreciate you doing the same."
Bryant finally rises from his seat and walks over to Miller. “We’ve spoken before.” He extends his hand. “Magnus Bryant. At your service.”
"Miller Rossi." Miller grips Bryant's hand and then extends it to mine. "Coen Hayes." And then turns toward Dom. "Mr. Adler."
Dominic hesitates but takes the young man’s hand.
“Alright then,” Miller announces. “Let’s cut right to it.” He claims a seat and sits in it without asking permission.
I kind of appreciate the balls on this kid.
"I believe we have a common enemy." Miller glances between us. "We can talk shop all day long until our faces are blue, but I think we should focus on the core issue here. I did some digging and found your profit margins are down, did a little more digging and uncovered you're having some transit issues."
Dominic clenches his hand into a fist. “Who?”
Miller shakes his head. “You’re asking the wrong question, Mr. Adler.”
I sigh and take the bait. “Why are our profit margins important to you?”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Hayes. Great point you bring up.” Miller taps the manilla folder he sat down on the desk in front of him. “Because ours are, too. And if I’m not mistaken, whoever is attacking your business is also after ours.”
But that’s impossible, isn’t it? I thought ours was a personal attack.
I catch Bryant’s stare and feel Dom’s boring into me. All of us thinking the same fucking thing.
“Whoever is targeting us…” Miller folds his hands together on the table. “Is on the inside. Deep inside. Someone who knows both of our operations well enough to make this happen. Someone with connections on both the east and west coast. Someone who can pull strings from wherever they are. And someone who can do so completely undetected.”
Everything he’s saying makes complete sense, but how does that connect to June? What angle would this person be playing that they would involve the east coast syndicate? Is it a ruse to confuse us and get us off their trail?
“I’m going to need to see proof,” Dominic finally says. “Are those your records?”
Miller slides them across the table. “See for yourself. I have nothing to hide. Our numbers have been down for six months. Slow at first. Then the attacks started hitting heavier about a month ago. We’re not just losing product, but we’re losing men, too. And that’s not something that I, or Johnny, will stand for. That is not the legacy that Luciano left behind.”
Dominic studies the paperwork then looks up at Miller. “Who do you think it is?”
Miller shrugs. "That's what I'm here for. To figure it out. To cross-examine every piece of data we have and see if a pattern shows up. If we can identify that, I think we can solve this mystery once and for all."
"I'm following up on a few leads," Dominic tells him. "We have a small team canvassing, and I've brought Lorenzo Savini on board."
“He’s a great asset.” Miller nods and continues. “As do we. Along with myself, Johnny, and a couple trusted assets, we’ve been chasing every possible lead. His wife, Claire, is tracking down a source as we speak, and their close friend and business partner Josey Romano is assisting her. I believe you may know him.”
I run his name through my head, considering where I may have heard it before. “Wait, he works for Johnny? I thought…”
“Yes, he was a former associate of Franklin Sharp. Now he works with us on the east coast.”
“Hold on,” Bryant chimes in. “Johnny’swifeis involved?”
“Very much so,” Miller confirms. “She’s an invaluable asset to the organization.”
Bryant narrows his gaze at me and then Dom. “See.”