Page 32 of Dante

“Better buy a dress for next Wednesday, too,” says Lorenzo. “We have the exhibition opening honoring our family founder, Salvatore Ricci. It’s at the Museum of the City of New York.”

“There’s an actual museum about the history of New York?” I ask.

“Yes,” says Luca. “The exhibition is called ‘From Docks to Dynasty.’ Lorenzo put me in charge of organizing the event.”

“Organizing the exhibition must have been a lot of work,” I say.

“Not really. The museum director did most of it. My job is to make sure the family shows up. There won’t be any outsiders. Just the press.”

“Are you media savvy?” Lorenzo asks, turning to me. “If not, I could teach you.”

Dante casts Lorenzo a dark glance.

“Or not,” says Lorenzo, checking himself. “I’m at Dante’s disposal.”

It’s clear Lorenzo is Dante’s right hand. The two are like sides of a coin: Dante calm and controlling; Lorenzo gregarious and charm personified.

And then there’s Luca, the wild card.

Slowly the family dynamics are coming together.

“Yes, teach Gina how to handle the media,” says Dante, pushing away his half-eaten pizza.

“There will be a lot of eyes on us during the exhibition. And with some of my plans coming to fruition, Gina will need to be comfortable with the media in the future.”

Plans? Plans involving me? I open my mouth to speak but immediately snap it shut. Dante is clearly one who doesn’t like to be questioned.

I lift my plate and prepare to collect his.

“Sit,” says Dante. “Ciro will take care of that.”

I retake my seat and think of a topic to break the uncomfortable silence.

“Dante, when I was leaving the club today, I saw a restaurant for sale right across the street. Did you notice that?”

“What about it?” he asks in a guarded voice.

For some odd reason, Luca and Lorenzo look at one another across the table and nod.

“You have sharp eyes, Gina,” says Lorenzo. “As soon as that for-sale sign went up, I asked Dante about acquiring it.”

“We’re not restaurateurs,” Dante says bluntly to Lorenzo.

“True. But this restaurant’s been handed to us on a silver platter. It’s directly across the street from the club. It’s perfect as a money-laundering outlet and venue for future events. And with the Petrovs pushing into our territory, every legitimate dollar matters.”

“Lorenzo’s right,” says Luca. “We’re leaving money on the table by letting an outsider acquire it. Both our club and casino guests go elsewhere for dinner. If we buy the restaurant, they could just walk across the street to dine. This will provide immediate revenue from the restaurant, but more important, support our future endeavors.”

“What’s your interest in this restaurant, Gina?” Dante asks.

I look at the three men. They’re all staring at me with real curiosity.

No way am I going to tell them I need a focus. That I can’t spend the rest of my life shopping and gossiping with Angie every day.

Though I still have hopes Dante will agree to let me pursue a graduate degree at the Academy of Visual Arts, what if he refuses?

I need a plan B.

Dante won’t dismiss my desire to be part of the family business.