Page 100 of Dirty Pool

The words slipped past Michel’s scowling lips before he could stop them. It was hard not to notice the absolute silence that filled the other end of the line as soon as he said it, too. Shit, that’s not what he meant to do. He didn’t need his father thinking something was wrong here. He had to do this alone.

“Is there a particular reason why that is?” his father asked.

Michel pinched the bridge of his nose, willing his frustration away. “It’s many things, but mostly, the people here aren’t like the people back home.”

“The Vannozzos.”

How did his father just know?

Well, Dante partly knew.

Michel would not fill in the details. “They’re part of it, sure.”

“I never did like that faction of my organization, but they bring in decent money, and mostly keep business clean. There isn’t much more a boss could ask for, honestly.”

His father wasn’t wrong.

They were also snakes.

“Just stay out of their way,” Dante said, his tone stiffer than was normal, “and let them do their business, Michel. You made friends with a few, didn’t you?”

“It didn’t stick.”

Dante chuckled. “I won’t say I am disappointed. I know you think every made man is going to be like the rest of your family, or even your cousins, but it’s a different dynamic everywhere you go, and I would rather you didn’t integrate too much in families I don’t feel are … trustworthy.”

Jesus.

That would have been great for his father to tell Michel a year ago. He had the greatest urge to turn around, and beat his forehead on the edge of the pool table because he felt like such an idiot. How he managed to find himself in this situation, Michel would never truly understand.

Oh, no.

That was a lie.

He knew exactly why.

For love.

“I hear they’re having some trouble with the Irish there as well,” Dante added after a moment, making Michel’s heart stop for a split-second. Did his father know the truth about just how much Michel was involved in the business with the Irish, too? That it wasn’t just the Vannozzos? “You are quite aware of how our family always handled any Irish organizations around us, and it was with great care and concern, Michel. If they are foolish enough to take the Irish to war, as if the past hasn’t taught us Italians anything about them, then let them sign their death warrants.”

“From what I understand, the Irish haven’t entertained the Vannozzos’ trouble here.”

“Yet.” His father made a harsh sound, saying, “Yet, Michel. It is only because the Vannozzos have not done something so egregious to the Irish organization there that they have not answered them back yet. But when they do, they will not care. It will be so brilliantly violent and chaotic in that city, no one will feel safe to even walk down the street. That’s the thing about the Irish … they don’t care of the consequences. A lifetime in prison is worth their pride and legacy, son. Do not mistake their stubbornness and patience for weakness. They are waiting for the Vannozzos to step out of line, and only then will they end them.”

Michel blinked.

Was that it?

Had the Italians simply not pressed the right button for the Irish yet? What would happen if someone did push that button?

It was only his father’s voice that brought him out of those thoughts when Dante said, “You are not to be caught up in it. Do you understand me?”

Michel swallowed hard. “Yeah, Dad, I got you.”

“Good.” Dante made a noise under his breath, adding quieter, “and if you do feel like you need to get out of that city for any reason, you do that. Do not waste time, I will be waiting for you here, son.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“And call your mother later. She misses you.”