Page 95 of Effortless

“Ignore Marty,” Adriano said, shrugging. “I know all about the truck scheme, and what happened between the crews. Listen, you were in the right on that, Tommaso. Did he threaten to call Theo on you? Like the fucking front boss of the organization would step in and slap you on the wrist or something?”

“Basically.”

“Of course, he did, the asshole. You think he’s going to bring that up, seriously?”

“Why wouldn’t he? Seems like anytime someone has a chance to knock me down a peg in this business, that’s exactly what they try to do.”

“He’s not going to bring it up just to look like a foolish prick, Tommaso.”

“You say that, but—”

“I say it because I know it.” Adriano shook his head, and stared out the window as they headed onto the highway. “You did the standard thing all crews do when it came to that, and you even offered him a higher cut of the profits to make him relax when he did try to throw a fit. He’s just pushing you because you’re young, and he thinks he can. Trust me. I know—I have dealt with dozens of fuckers just like him.”

Tom’s shoulders loosened a little from the stress that had been weighing them down lately. He kept his gaze on the road as he asked, “How did you do it?”

“Hmm?”

“All those years being the youngest Capo controlling a crew. I mean, I know a lot of your friends had moved up in the organization by then—my dad, Damian, and Theo. So that left you managing a crew, right?”

Adriano smirked when he glanced over at Tom from the passenger seat. “You know, there was a time when all my father wanted was to be the boss of the Outfit.”

“Wasn’t he for a time?”

“A very short time.”

“So what’s that got to do with you being a Capo?”

“The position was only supposed to be a stepping stone for me, Tommaso. At least, from my father’s perspective. Eventually, he saw me being like him. A boss—at the very top, doing what he thought I would do best.”

“Him, not you.”

“Exactly.” Adriano turned back to the window, saying, “Some men are meant to be bosses, and some are far better on the streets with a crew, and the soldiers of the organization. It just depends on the man, Tommaso.”

“You still didn’t answer my question.”

“How did I manage being the youngest Capo?”

“Yeah,” Tom said.

Adriano laughed under his breath. “White knuckles, Tommaso.”

“Huh?”

“I white-knuckled my way through a lot of it. I got older, gained more experience, and a fuck lot more patience along the way. All traits that helped in different situations.”

“And you have no interest in taking over for Damian, or even Theo when they’re done?”

Adriano scoffed. “Hell no.”

“Why not?”

“They’ve gotten used to the politics of this business, Tommaso. They know how to handle other organizations, and make deals. They talk, talk, and talk more every single day just to keep peace and get shit done. Me? I’ll do politics, but I want to do them on the streets. It’s where I work best.”

Tom drummed his fingers to the steering wheel, considering his uncle’s words. “Maybe it’s just the politics I’ve been dealing with, then.”

“Pardon?”

The two men glanced at each other before Tom’s attention went back to the road. He wondered how to phrase his next statement, as he didn’t want to come off as ungrateful for the position he had or the work he had been given in the Outfit.