Chapter 7
Michael
So Ricco was fucking right. My whole jealousy plan completely backfired, but I did learn one very important thing: she still loves me. How fucked up is that? If she didn’t, if she didn’t care anymore, she would have never begged me to stop. Fine, she can go to Italy, but I promise, by the time she returns she will be returning as my wife. After the omertà and the dust settles with Gallardi, I think I need to plan a little trip myself.
Enough about Zaira. I’ve got work to do, and sitting here thinking about last night won’t get anything done. I talked briefly with Ice last night about my meeting with Gallardi. I didn’t want to go into too much detail. After all, we were at a party, and so we planned to meet here this afternoon.
Things have been quiet since the Gallardi meeting, but my omertà is tomorrow, and I have to say, I’m worried. My gut tells me all hell is going to break loose, and I want to make sure I am prepared.
A couple hours later, I’m sitting at my desk. In my office is Ice, Hawk, Rebel, and Spike—little shit bastard—as well as my boys, Ricco, Sal, Alex, and Sainte. However, I am not sure if Sainte is still one of our boys. Ice says he still needs him, so I will allow it. I’m sure one of these days he will tell me he wants a permanent change.
I open my humidor and offer a cigar to each of the men. Ice and Ricco take one, and I follow suit. Ice lights his cigar, then asks, “What’s got you spooked?”
“As I told you last night, the Gallardi Cartel wants us to move product for them. I met with them a couple of days ago, and Romeo Gallardi was not happy that I didn’t jump at his offer.”
Ice blows his cigar smoke in front of him. “What’s the offer?”
“Selling and running heroin and cocaine. He’s paying thirty-five percent, but even if he paid 100 percent, I wouldn’t do it.”
“Fuck, we do some serious shit man, but I refuse to get into drugs,” Ice says. “I don’t blame you one bit.”
“The problem is, I have a bad feeling by Romeo’s reaction when I told him I needed to think about it. I doubt they will not take no for an answer.”
Ice shakes his head. “I think you are right.” He takes a hit of his cigar. “We got your back, Michael. If it weren’t for you and your brother-in-law, I’d still be in jail. Whatever you need.”
“I was hoping you would say that. In fact, I was counting on it.” I knew the MC would help, but hearing Ice confirm it is a big relief.
“So when do you think they will strike?” Ice asks.
“Here, during the omertà. It’s perfect. All the families will be here celebrating my rise to the head of the family.” I pause. “Hell, if I were in their shoes, that’s when I’d strike.”
“Have you heard from Romeo?”
“No, which is a sign. In our world, silence can be deadly, Ice. You know that.”
“Fuck, yeah, I know.”
He turns toward Hawk. “Call Reefer. Tell him we are gonna need backup on Saturday night. Give him all the details.” Reefer is the president of the Knight’s New York chapter. If Ice tells him to help out, he will.
“Got it, Ice. Anything else?” Hawk asks.
“Get ready, boys. We’re about to go into battle.” He looks squarely at Hawk. “And not a word to Emma and the girls. As a matter of fact, send them home.”
“And how do you expect me to do that when we all came on our bikes?”
“Put them on a fucking plane. I don’t care. I just don’t want them around when shit hits the fan.”
He turns back toward me and says, “We got you.”
“Thanks, Ice. I knew I could count on you,” I say.
“So what now?”
“We wait.”
“Well, if you all don’t mind then, I’m gonna go spend some time with my old lady before Hawk breaks the news to her that I’m sending her home.”
“What?” Hawk says in surprise. “Me? Oh, hell no. She’s your old lady.”
