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Giovanni
PLAYLIST: ? WORST BEHAVIOR - DRAKE ?
Everybody who matters isat the Vittoria tonight. The security is tighter. The crowd’s bigger. The media coverage is flashier. Fireworks shoot off and dazzle the late evening sky with colorful sparks. We pop open a celebratory champagne bottle, signifying the Vittoria’s “cherry” popped a second time. The doors to the main entrance fly open to thunderous applause.
The table games and slot machines are packed within seconds. So are the bars. Those with reservations for La Pergola head toward the upscale restaurant.
I stand on the second-level grand balcony overlooking the main casino floor and watch everyone’s movements in the form of dollar signs. That’s what it boils down to at the end of the day. Every last customer means more money. More success. More profit.
There’s no stopping the Vittoria now. We’ll be on our way to one of the highest-grossing resorts and casinos in no time. It’ll serve as further proof whyI’mthe rightful successor to Pa’s empire. I’ve rebuilt the Sorrentino name on the west coast by my hand and my hand alone.
Once Lovato is officially out of the way in a few hours, the path will be clear. The west coast belongs to us.
I bring my flute of celebratory champagne to my lips and swallow a small mouthful. The fizzy liquid tastes sweeter on a night like this. The true taste of victory.
Robby approaches on my left. “I’d say it’s a pretty good kickoff for it being a reopening.”
“Pretty good? It blows the original out the water. You see how many news outlets are here?”
“And police.”
“For a reason,” I say with a brow raised. “Rodrigo gave us full backing for tonight. There’ll be no incidents.”
“And no police on the streets.”
“Which works inourfavor. How’s the hit for tonight coming along?”
Robby lets a hesitant beat pass. “I’m not so confident we’ll get him, Boss.”
“I don’t like the sound of that, Robby. Are you developing cold feet?”
“It’s not that. Don’t you think it’s too sudden? Lovato’s expecting it.”
“Says who?”
“How can he not be?”
My gaze cuts over to him, hardened and shrewd. “Have you heard something on the street and not told me?”
“No, Boss. Of course not. You know I would.”
“Good. Then give C.J. and the rest the go-ahead,” I say coolly, swallowing another sip of champagne. “Lovato goes tonight.”
The noise at the roulette table in the high roller’s club is enough to pop an eardrum. Everett Johansson tries to compete with the loud noises, leaning closer with his Bengay peppermint stench. He has a piece of spinach in his dentures leftover from dinner at La Pergola, and he doesn’t seem to notice the girls a third his age are running his black Amex up, a tab in the thousands.
“Fine job,” he rasps with a proud glance around. “Reminds me of when the Sands first did their grand reopening.”
My brows jump high as I blow cigar smoke in perfect ringlets. “The Sands, huh? Jesus Christ, Everett, that’s a Vegas throwback.”
“Nineteen sixty-four.”
“My father was still in puberty. How about we stick to the twenty-first century?”
He grins, showing off his spinach leaf. “When you’ve been around as long as me and your pop, you realize there’s nothing new in this world. Take note.”
“Don’t sell me on how exciting life is all at once, Everett.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, sonny boy. Some decades down the line you’ll realize old coot Everett Johansson was right. Take that fine piece of female flesh maxing out my black card.” He points his gaunt chin in the direction of the bar, where a hot blonde and her friend—both in skimpy thot outfits—toast their latest round of drinks. “You think she’s the first bimbo to spend my money like she breathes air? More like there’s been so many gold-digging broads, I’ve lost count! That’s what four marriages, countless mistresses, and plenty of hot young things surmount to. They’re all the same. I expect nothing less.”
