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This could be a walk in the park with a revered uncle or a former college professor. I feel comfortable with Don Pucci. Like we could talk. All the same, we are out in the open, the heads of two lethal crime families. I’m not about to stress test our cozy chat. As I start to wonder what it is that he wants, he says,
“There’s something I need to discuss with you, Donna Fortuna.”
He puts out his arm and covers my hand as I take it.
“The endowments that we’re making through the Dancing Lion Park Foundation to the Puget University.”
There’s an endowment fund for scholarships, a science block, and a new sports field. I proposed the fund for our families, as well as the Romanos and the Famiglia Pucci to contribute to. There are a million great reasons to do it. When I started it and suggests the other two top families participate, they both signed up without a second thought.
“I’m so keen,” I say, watching the Don, “the scholarships alone are bringing opportunities to so many kids, giving them a path out of poverty.”
He squeezes my hand. “I know. I feel your passion for the project. It does you great credit.”
“Giving back, paying it forward,” I tell him. “All that. Nothing more.”
He smiles.
“I’ve had Don Romano calling me. He loves the vision and your ambition but he feels–” without thinking I stop. I’m wondering where this is going. I’m bracing myself for some kind of a hostile takeover bid.
He smiles as he stops to face me and he says, “Don Romano is concerned about the amounts of our contributions. He doesn’t want to feel left behind.”
Oh. I get it. I say, “But he doesn’t want to spend so much?”
With a sparkle, Don Pucci says, “Maybe he doesn’t feel the way that you do about children.” He sounds playful.
“And you, Don Pucci? how do you feel?”
“I’m very happy with your proposals.” when he looks in my eye, I feel drawn in. “It’s an investment in the future, after all.”
“It’s all for the kids. Yes.”
“So, I wondered. If Don Romano doesn’t feel like he wants to match the level of generosity that you suggest, then maybe you and I should cover the difference.”
“Raising our contributions even higher.”
The cost wouldn’t be a problem for me, so I know that Don Pucci wouldn’t feel a pinch.
I say, “So we would leave Don Romano even farther behind.”
When Don Pucci lifts his eyebrows, it makes him look like a Cheshire cat.
.
I say, “Don Romano will feel like he’s being squeezed.”
His eyebrows arch expressively as he shrugs. “As you say, it’s for the kids.”
“You’re suggesting that we tease the Don.” Prodding a tiger. This could be very dangerous mischief.
He gives me an innocent look.
I say, “Don Romano is known for the very great affection he has for his money.”
Again, the playful shrug.
“You’re a bad man, Don Pucci.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
