Page 56 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

Wolf Puzza was one of the best Capos the Donati familyhad. He was a high earner with a small crew, and that was practically unheardof. But because the guy was quick—had his hands in a lot of pots, and knew thebest ways to make money—he didn’t need more soldatos to add to his crew.What he had was enough.

“Us, or just you?” Calisto asked.

Wolf bristled. “I am a part of the whole puzzle, Cal.”

“I agree, but Affonso thinks differently than me. Ifhe believes you’re somehow urging the Irish on in their quest to take overbusiness in West Brighton, then you’re going to have a problem. Affonso won’tallow one Capo to start a bloody war with another family just for the sake ofkeeping a small piece of his territory. Besides, you’ve been feuding with theRussians for years.”

“I came to an agreement with the Russians,” Wolfmuttered. “It’s not the same.”

“My answer remains the same, man.”

“I’m not purposely starting issues with the Irishfamily in Jersey, all right? Those bastards are just coming at me because mycrew controls the area they want control of.”

“I told you, Affonso doesn’t want a street war withthe Irish,” Calisto said, shrugging. “I get it, Wolf, really I do. They’reirritating little shits. A few well-aimed bullets would end all the nonsensethey’ve caused thus far. I can’t give the okay on it, not without Affonso’sagreement. And he won’t give it, I know.”

“What if that’s exactly what the Irish want?” Wolfasked.

“A street war?”

“Sì.”

“Then I suggest you arm yourself with a bigger crew.Your streets can’t take that big of a hit, Wolf,” Calisto said.

Street wars with other families were only good for onething: spilling blood. Families always took a large hit to their numbers inwars, making it downright difficult to earn money. In their attempts to replacethe men lost, bad seeds might weed their way into the ranks.

It was not the Cosa Nostra way.

“No, I meant what if they wanted one with Affonso,”the Capo replied sharply.

Calisto straightened in his chair, taking those wordsin. “Why would they? This has been about Brighton for a long while. I assumethey’re going after West Brighton where you have most of the control becauseanywhere else in Brighton is under the Marcello reign or the Russians at theports.”

Wolf scoffed. “You’re still not getting it, are you?”

The Capo’s rudeness made Calisto’s hackles rattle.“Watch it, Wolf. I may not be the boss, but I won’t tolerate your disrespect.”

“My apologies.” Wolf sighed, and rubbed his handstogether. “I’m just saying that it’s odd, Calisto. You would have thought theIrish would give it up by now, or at least, moved onto a different spot inBrighton to work on controlling. Yet, they keep coming at one of Affonso’s menlike they want to piss him off.”

Calisto took those words in for a moment. “They’veworked their way into a couple of spots in Brooklyn, too. The soldier theykilled was another Capo’s man. We’ve also had sightings of them in the Kitchen,and Harlem.”

“Why me, then?”

“You’re the closest, I suspect,” Calisto replied.

“The easy target.”

“Yes.”

Now, Calisto was wondering if Wolf had a point in hisstatement of Affonso and the Irish having some unknown problem. It wouldn’t besuch a surprise. Affonso didn’t get along well with other leaders, and he wasknown to shun their attempts at peace-offerings until they went awayaltogether.

But what could have possibly happened?

“I’ll look into it,” Calisto finally said, pushing upfrom his seat to stand. “And I’ll ask Affonso again for permission to go in onthe Irish and end whatever this is.”

“But you don’t think he’ll give it.”

“No. Which is why I said I’ll look into it all. In themeantime …”

“I’ll be careful,” Wolf muttered, rubbing a hand overhis face.