Chapter 28
Michael
“Are you ready for this?” Ricco asks. We’re sitting in my office, accompanied by Alex and Sal. I’ve got Ice and Sainte on speakerphone.
“Hell yeah I’m ready,” Sainte replies.
“And you know what you need to do?” I ask.
“Michael, yes, I know.”
“Tell me again, just so I know we got it down,” I say.
Sainte clears his throat. “Me and my guys go in. We get the wife and niece out. We get the money, and we get the fuck out of there.”
“Okay. Are you sure you and your two guys can handle this?”
“Michael, I’ve been doing this shit for a long time now. I got this.”
“Ice, you cool with all this?”
“Yes, I’m good, but I’ve got one question. When do we take the fucker out?”
“All in good time, Ice, all in good time. There are things about Gallardi you don’t know yet. I will share, but I need to get the women out first. Then we can go after Romeo.”
“I’m running out of patience, Michael. I just fucking lost my best friend because of Gallardi. I don’t know how much longer I can wait.”
“I get it. I promise I will tell you once they are safe. You have my word.” I get up from my chair and begin to pace. I don’t know what it is about being able to think better on my feet, but it works. “Sainte, I’ve arranged transport for you into Mexico, but once you are there, you and your men are on your own. Your return transport leaves at approximately eleven p.m., two days after you arrive. I’m expecting you to report back as soon as you can.”
“Got it, Michael. I won’t let you down,” he replies.
“Okay, I think we are done here. Ice, we’ll talk soon.”
“Count on it,” he replies and disconnects the line.
“Michael, are you sure Sainte is the right man for the job?” Ricco asks.
“Absolutely sure. That man is like a stealth plane. He is the only one I trust to get in, get what we want, and get out alive.”
“I know, but he’s no longer a member of this family, perhaps his loyalties have changed,” Alex says.
“Not a chance. Remember, the MC has an invested interest in this mission as well. They lost their VP. And as far as loyalty goes, I’ve told you all before; Sainte won’t flip. I’ve seen him accomplish amazing things. He’s the right man for the job. I have no doubts.”
“Well, you’re the boss,” Alex says, and they get up to leave.
“Alex, can you stay for a minute?” I ask.
He sits back down and waits for the others to leave.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you when I first got back, but thank you. You did a hell of a job keepings things on track while I was in Italy.”
“Thanks, Mikey. That means a lot.”
“How’s Pop today?”
“Ornery as ever, but he is definitely feeling much better.”
“Good. Now that we have a handle on this Gallardi thing and we’re pretty much in a holding pattern, I think I will spend some time with him and catch him up on what’s been going on.” I’ve purposely left my father out of all this. I didn’t want to say anything to upset him and wanted him to concentrate on getting well.
