Chapter 24
Michael
Zaira and I are leaving tonight. But now, I am meeting with Ricco and the boys, as well as Alex and Sal. I inform them of my plan to take Zaira to Italy and instruct Alex to keep an eye on Romeo, but I tell them to stand down regarding Gallardi.
“Why are we waiting, Michael?” Alex asks. “We need to hit them while they are weak.”
I shake my head. “They are not weak, Alex. Trust me on this. I want them to think there will not be any retaliation. If we hit them now, they will expect it. But if we wait, it will come as a surprise.”
“I get that, but I think you are making a mistake.”
“Listen, little brother, there are things about Gallardi you don’t know and that I am not at liberty to divulge. This is the right thing to do.”
“If you say so. You’re the boss,” Alex says, and I see he is frustrated. I will tell him when it’s just him and me about Gallardi’s CIA connections, but I don’t want the rest of the boys to know. Right now, only Ricco and I are privy to that information and I want to keep it that way for a while. If they think we are gonna go against the CIA, we may have some issues I am not willing to deal with. It’s better they are left in the dark.
“Alex, let Ice know the plan and make sure he doesn’t go all cowboy on us. I don’t expect him to, but just keep an eye on him and the MC.”
“Got it.”
“Oh, and before I forget, Sainte has left our organization. He wants to patch in with the Knights.”
“What the fuck, Mikey?” Sal exclaims. “You can’t just let someone out of the organization, Mikey, what if he talks?”
“Calm down, Sal. It’s all good. Sainte won’t be talking. He’s been good for the MC, and besides, he’s got personal ties with them that he has to face. Now is as good as a time as any for him to do so.”
“What kind of personal ties?” Sal asks.
“Not my story to tell, Sal, but I get it.”
He shakes his head but doesn’t say anything more.
“I think we’re done here,” I say. “Gentlemen.”
Alex walks toward me as everyone else makes their good-byes and leaves, “Mikey, I’m sorry for questioning you.”
“Alex, I take no offense to your questions. You’re still learning, and hopefully I’m teaching you, just like Pop taught me.”
“I really mean no disrespect, big brother.”
I give him a pat on the back. “None taken. Can I trust you to keep things quiet while I’m gone?”
“Of course, Mikey, I won’t let you down,” Alex replies.
“Good, now I’m gonna go get my bride and get the hell out of here,” I say with a laugh. “Ricco, you ready?”
“Yeah, boss.”
Alex calls after us, “Have a great time.”
***
“Michael, I’m so excited. I packed in such a rush; I hope I didn’t forget anything,” Zaira says as we sit on the plane waiting for it to take off. Ricco is sitting behind us, keeping to himself. We have one attendant who will serve us, but other than them, it’s just us on the plane.
The Vitali jet is huge. It’s a 757, but the interior has been converted. There is a kitchen, three bathrooms, an office, and three suites, each with their own private baths. If we had to, we could live on this plane, only touching ground to refuel. Zaira is in awe of the jet, and I realize she has never been on it before.
“So you like Lucy?”
“Lucy?” she asks.
