Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“After LA, we flew out to Greece. That’s where we just got back from, but you know that.”
He bristles. “I’m aware of your deal.”
“And it’s a good deal. It’s enough cheap weed to flood the market and to squeeze out all the competition, and it’s coming as soon as we’re ready to pay. The Greeks are done fucking around with the Russians and they’re done being a petty, weak little force on the edges of things. They want to play in the big leagues, and they want to play with us.”
My father stares me down. “You didn’t ask for permission from your Don to make a deal like that.”
“I didn’t need to. I saw an opportunity and I took it. You’re really going to complain that I all but ensured we’ll be filthy rich for the rest of our lives?”
“The Russians are going to make those lives short and miserable and brutal.”
“Then we’ll kill all the Russians. Do you understand how much money we’re talking about here? With the cash we’ll make selling Greek product, we’ll be able to hire a dozen gangs and outfit them in the best gear we can. We’ll flood the country in killers. The Russians won’t be able to touch us.”
My father takes a long, slow deep breath, and lets it out. “You might be right, but you still went against orders.”
“Fuck orders then.” I reach back and find Kacia’s hand. “This is my wife. I wasn’t going to leave her for dead.”
“Luca—”
“No, you listen to me. I married her because I wanted to marry her, not because I thought it was a good idea or because it might bring money into the Famiglia. You can threaten me all you want, you can throw me from the Famiglia, you can put a hit out on me, but I’m not going to leave her. That’s a promise.”
Father glares at me. He’s doing the calculus right now, wondering if it’s worth potentially starting an internal civil war on the eve of starting a real war with the Russians. He’ll win that war, but at what cost, and how will our enemies exploit it?
But he could accept the deal and take the product the Greeks are about to flood over our borders. He could make himself rich, if only he can make himself look past the fact that I went against his wishes and scored a huge win for the Famiglia all on my own.
Finally, he sinks back down into his chair.
Some of the tension drains from the room and I take a seat. Kacia does the same, still not speaking.
Father says, “You will explain the situation to the capos at the meeting tonight. You will convince them.”
“And if I can’t?”
“Then one of them really will put a bullet in your head and I don’t plan on putting myself out there to stop it. Yes, Luca, you made a very good deal for the Famiglia, but you also started a very bad war.” He rubs his eyes and sighs. “But what’s done is done. I’ll send word to the crime lords that we’re on board.”
“Good. That’s the right call.” I stand up. “We’ll leave you then.”
“Make sure you’re at that fucking meeting tonight and bring the girl. You’ll need to parade her around a bit and make sure the other capos understand that she’s not going anywhere.”
“Already planned on it.” I look down at Kacia and smile. “She’s a part of my team now.”
She grins back at me, eyes sparkling.
“You fell in love, you stupid boy,” my father says and waves a dismissive hand. “Get out of here. What’s done is done.”
I lead Kacia back into the hallway. Tony and Niccolo are already gone, probably out back with the other soldiers drinking wine and playing cards and telling them the story of how we broke into a Russian house and slaughtered a bunch of those bastards. I’m sure Tony will do a good job exaggerating it.
“I’m happy we left Adrienne back in Greece,” Kacia says as we walk slowly back down the hall. “She’ll be safe with Yiannis’s son.”
“Peter’s not so bad when you get past the fact that he’s a Greek prick.”
Kacia snorts and nudges me. “I’m a Greek prick.”
“Nah, you’re an honorary Italian now.”
“Still, this won’t go down easy either way.”
“We’ll convince the capos, don’t worry.” I stop walking and take her hands in mine and pull her against me. I hold her there, feeling her, smelling her. She’s sweet and she’s everything to me now. “Say what you want about those bastards, but they know what earns them money. They’ll be happy once the cash comes rolling in.”
“I know you’re right. I’m still worried.”
“I’m not going to let you go again, Kacia. I swear, we won’t be apart ever again.”
She looks up into my eyes and chews her lip. “Your dad said something back there. About falling in love.”