Page 119 of The Don’s Omega

“Of course not, and I know why you did it,” Carlo says. “Valentina forced your hand. You couldn’t just let her betrayal go without repercussion.”

“Exactly. I had to act.” I rub the back of my neck, trying not to let the frustration get to me. “She’s lucky I didn’t execute her.”

“I agree. And if you’d explained why you did it to the others, you’d also have had to admit someone got close enough to almost murder your omega. That would make you look weak.”

“Precisely,” I snap. “And I don’t want to encourage others to take a shot at Elio.”

“Yes, and you had every right to do what you did.” Carlo purses his lips. “But it made some people nervous because of how you did it. On the outside, it looks like you just took something valuable away from the Lucchese syndicate because you wanted it.”

“I’m not about to start explaining myself to every paranoid capo who wants reassurance.”

Carlo grimaces. “No. Of course not. But these people who are worried aren’t random nobodies. They’re important allies, Marcello. Would it really kill you to give them some sort of reason for why you did it? Obviously, not the truth, but some other reason that wouldn’t make you look vulnerable.”

“Maybe I don’t want to bother. Maybe anyone who has a problem with me taking the ports can come here and talk to me face to face.”

Carlo laughs humorlessly. “None of them have the balls to face you. But the grumbling is getting louder. Some people are making small moves that make me nervous.”

“Like what?” I scowl.

“Moretti pulled his people off the Garfield Street project last week. Said it was a scheduling issue.”

“Maybe it was a scheduling issue.”

“I don’t know, boss. To me, the scheduling thing stinks. Looks more like they’re disentangling. They’re making sure their people aren’t embedded in our operation in case things go sideways.”

“That move means nothing by itself.”

“I agree.” He pauses. “Unfortunately, there’s more. Ferrante has been meeting with his captains twice a week instead of once. That’s weird. DiMaggio moved two of his warehouses off our shipping routes and onto independent carriers. These are small moves, but they’re all moves in the same direction. People are quietly putting distance between themselves and us.”

“They’re posturing.”

“Probably. But when three families start posturing at the same time, it stops looking like coincidence and starts looking like coordination.”

I glance over at Elio, wishing he hadn’t heard any of this. He drops his gaze and goes back to reading blueprints when I look at him, but I know him too well. There’s obvious strain on his face now.

“The grumbling will die down,” I say, pulling my gaze from Elio. “These men are comfortable. They like their income, their houses, their boats. Starting a war costs money and it spills blood. None of them have the appetite for it. Mark my words, they’ll complain over their wine and do nothing.”

“I hope you’re right.” Carlo rubs the back of his neck. “You’re probably right. You usually are.”

“I’m definitely right. No one has the spine to move against me. I have more men, more money, more territory than any two of them combined. They know the math as well as I do.”

Carlo picks up his bourbon and finishes it in a long swallow. He wipes his mouth. “Obviously, it’s your call.”

“It is.”

“I just thought you should know.” He stands. “What kind of a second would I be if I didn’t come to you when I hear things?”

“I appreciate the heads-up. I think it’ll blow over. Keep your eyes and ears open, of course. Let me know if you notice anything else. I trust your instincts, Carlo. I’m not brushing you off. I simply don’t want to make a move if I don’t have to.”

“I know.” He smiles. “I’ll keep watching the assholes just in case they grow some balls.” He turns and addresses Elio. “Looking good, kid. You’re putting weight on. It suits you.”

Elio frowns. “Are you saying I’m getting fat?”

Carlo laughs. “Nah, I just complimented you, didn’t I?”

“Who wants to hear they’re putting on weight?” Elio grumbles.

Waving his hand at Elio, Carlo says quietly. “Well, it’s understandable, in your condition.”