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Cascade Falls is a small town, and that has always suited us perfectly. The police force is small and entirely under our control, and the townsfolk on the east side are perfectly happy as long as we are providing them with jobs and security. The jobs are easy. Between our collection of legitimate businesses and the various illegal ventures, there is plenty of work to be done. As far as security goes, everyone is safe as long as they don’t interfere, and everyone knows better. The Orso name is royalty in Cascade Falls even if it’s a small kingdom.
Big fish, small pond.
“We’re going to focus on business being well-run and well-maintained,” I say to the group. “We’ll strengthen our associations and focus on trust. Blood or not, we’re a family, and I expect everyone to be loyal to this family.”
I relax a little as I hear everyone murmur in approval.
“Give me the accounting rundown, Kate,” I say. “Start with quarterly reports.”
“The casino is up four percent this quarter, and the club is up nine percent. Import-export is unchanged, but one of the freight forwarders wants to negotiate for more money.”
“Which one?”
“Quality Expeditors.”
“They ship to and from Asia, right?”
“Yes,” Kate replies. “They do the most volume there, but they also handle western and southern Africa.”
“Do we already pay them enough?” I ask.
“We pay them more than any others.”
“Antony?” I give him a sharp look.
“I can lean on them,” he says. “Try to figure out if they’re serious or not. They can’t afford to lose our business, that’s for sure.”
“Are the other forwarders in a position to pick up the slack if we drop them?”
“Not even close,” Antony replies.
“You can’t lose Quality Expeditors,” Pops says. “You also can’t pay them more. Don’t be a fucking idiot, Nate. Antony needs to do more than just lean on them.”
“Right. Of course.” I look away from Pops. As much as I might want his gui
dance, I’d rather he didn’t do it in front of everyone. My gaze meets Antony’s, and he raises an eyebrow at me. “You need to send a message, Antony. A strong message. We aren’t negotiating, and they aren’t dropping our business. This isn’t an option.”
“I can do that, boss,” Antony says. “Should I take Threes with me?”
“They know Threes will get nasty if he needs to,” Pops says.
“We need nasty,” I reply with a nod. “Threes, go with Antony.”
“Sure, boss.” Threes jiggles his leg up and down as he leans forward with his elbows on his knees.
“What about me?” Twos asks as she reaches over to still her brother’s leg.
“We don’t need to fucking charm then,” Dad says with a growl. “She’ll just open her legs for their manager and expect him to forget his own profits. That’s bullshit.”
I glance from Pops to Twos, but she keeps her eyes on me, not reacting to my father’s words. She tosses her long, bleached hair over her shoulder and elbows Threes again until he stops jiggling.
“Yeah, best you stay out of this one, Twos.”
“Fine,” she replies. “I’ll drive, at least.”
“She can’t drive for shit,” Pops mutters, and I glare at him.
“Twos can drive,” I say, still staring at my father. “I’m in charge now, and I’ll make the fucking calls. Everyone good with that?”
