Page 22 of Revenge of Sin

I nod.“Not a fucking one.You and Len go over what we raked in with the games for the weekend?All the debts paid up?”

Nicolo smiles.“It’s like you have a crystal ball.Len and I just went over them not two hours ago.All the casino numbers got loaded into the online books while I was sitting with him, pretty fucking impressive if you ask me.Pull them up on the site.You’ll be happy.”

“And the debts?”

He nods.“Yeah, we’ve got two outstanding with no chance in hell of paying up in the next year much less a month.The fucking game masters are going to need to start running those games with solid dollars.They’ve already been talked to, and the next one’s coming out of their own pockets.”

I nod.“You set a limit?”

“They fucking had a limit and exceeded it.That’s why the talk wasn’t so friendly.”

I swallow the last of my coffee, confident that he’s got a handle on the games.If anything ever happens to me, I know he’ll step in and make a hell of a boss.“Good job, Nicolo.Papa would be proud.”

His eyes meet mine.“What’s up with you, lately?”

“I’ve got work to do.I can’t stand around shooting the shit with you all day,” I tell him, leaving his office and heading for the door.

A shuffling sound behind me causes me to turn as I reach the outer door of his penthouse.He leans against the doorframe of his office.“You okay?”he asks.

I wave a hand in the air.“Just work to do.I’ll fill you in later,” I tell him, making my way back to my own office to do a little research on our enemies, because I haven’t yet shared with Nicolo quite all the secrets.

If strings are being pulled from overseas by the Gallini elders I need the big guns for this one, especially.I hit the contact and listen as a series of clicks and soft static noises confirm each of the relays until at last, the line is secure and reaches the man halfway across the globe.“Hello?”

“Vincenzo here.”

“It’s been too long my son.”

“It has, but better for all involved I’m afraid.”

“Your ma, brothers, and Lanah?I get all the pictures you send but miss their voices.”

“I’m sure you do.We all miss you too, but better to be alive than at the bottom of the sea.”

He knows time, even on a secure line, is limited.“Why the call?”

The Gallinis and old man Cassone tried to merge, but Barcelo backed out.Ended up working with another family.Instead of marrying Anna, Cassone’s eldest daughter, he beat the living shit out of her and left her for dead.She’s the one I was telling you about.The one I went in to get to repay the debt we owed to the Rosellis when Agosto fucked up a while back.”

“The one who ended up dying?”

“I thought she was dead.Everyone underground thought she was dead, because that’s the word Massimo Roselli put out.But, just like you, she’s very much alive.Somehow the Gallinis found out and they’re coming for her.”

“I’m afraid to ask what it has to do with us.”

Exactly what I thought he’d fucking say.“I have her, and I’m not giving her back.”

My father, a man of many words only a few years ago is quiet and thoughtful on the other end of the phone.He’s taming that temper we all know old man DeLuca to have when his empire or family is in danger.“The Gallinis know about you or are they just going after her?”

“I wasn’t sure at first.Looks like the Gallini elders are financing Bastian’s merger back in the States with the Sarones.The Sarones have been bumping up against our territory for months and we just took out most of their men.They’re weak, the Gallinis move in and merge, and now we have neighbors we don’t want.”

“The same neighbors who want the Cassone girl.No fucking coincidence there.”

We have some of the Sarone men in the warehouse, they’re pretty close to talking but I need information yesterday about the Gallini elders’ involvement and long-range plans.You still have underground ears?”

“Call me back tomorrow.I’ll learn what I can.”

“Thank you.”

“Vincenzo?”