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CHAPTER ONE – ALESSANDRO
“It’s an offer you can hardly refuse. Or should I say, one you would do well not refusing?”
“Mr. DeLuca, you don’t seem to understand. This vineyard has been in my family for almost a century. My great-great-grandfather purchased this property not long after he migrated here from Italy, and he worked his ass off to build and expand his business. My grandfather kept up the work, and so did my uncle. He never had children, and it was his wish and my father’s for it to remain in the family. What would I look like selling it off? We’ve had some challenging times, but I can’t do that.”
“Look, you’ve run into more than challenging times. You don’t have the money or manpower to turn this thing around. I do.”
“Mr. DeLuca—”
“Alessandro.”
He nods wearily, running a hand over his brownish-blonde hair where silvery strands appear. I know this man is in his mid-thirties, but the strain of running the property has taken its toll on him already.
“Alessandro, no disrespect, but I’m just not interested.”
“So, you’re turning down my offer and getting rid of a major account your uncle has been doing business with for several decades?”
Nodding, he says, “I’m afraid so. It doesn’t make sense to keep that account when I know it’s bleeding me dry. I’d rather do everything aboveboard.”
“What’s that mean?” I ask, removing a grape from its vine.
I turn the fruit over in my fingers before popping it into my mouth and chewing slowly. Sweet with a slightly bitter taste. Not quite ripe.
“I mean no disrespect when I say this to you, but I don’t think it would look honorable to be in business with the mafia.”
Smirking, I look at him and say, “Oh?”
“Yes. I mean, I’m not sure about Frederico Colombo, but I have a feeling that he’s in the mafia too.”
“Too?” I say, shoving my hands in my pockets.
“With all due respect again, Alessandro, it’s no secret about your mafia ties.”
I turn my lips down and nod. Mafia ties? We’re fucking mafia royalty. The DeLuca name is not to be fucked with.
“Carlo, you seem like a very intelligent man, but the moves that you’re about to make maybe aren’t well thought out. Your uncle has done many favors for my family, particularly my uncle Aldo. For that alone, I respect the man. He’s been good to me too, and I’d hate to see anything happen to his family. He loved and respected family; it meant a lot to him.”
“Is that a threat?” Carlo asks, coming to a stop.
I first offered to buy his vineyard a couple of months ago, and he said he needed time to think about it. After sending men by on several occasions with no decision, I decided to drop by the vineyard myself today. Unannounced.
I pull another grape from a vine and pop it in my mouth, chewing slowly.
I squint up at the sun as I ponder his words and then stare back at the man. I see the anger brewing in his eyes.
“Carlo, I don’t make threats. Hell, I don’t even announce myself. But I’m not the one that you should be afraid of. I’m extending this offer to you for your safety and that of your family. If you cut off the account you’re threatening to cut off, you’ll have some very angry people on your hands, and I can’t guarantee your safety.”
“Is that what this is? Do you think that I can’t protect myself or my family? Are you trying to force me to pay for protection or something?”
I place a heavy hand on the other man’s shoulder. “No. I’m trying to give you an easy way out, keep your family safe, provide for them, and keep your dignity.”
Narrowing his eyes, Carlo replies, “I don’t need your protection or your provision. And as far as my dignity is concerned…it’s still intact. Now, if you would please leave my property, I’d appreciate it.”
I nod. “I respect your decision. It would just be wise to apprise your wife of your decisions. Tell her to keep her eyes open as well. You know…so you can keep her and your daughter safe when you’re not around.”
“My wife and daughter have nothing to do with this!” he roars, stepping closer to me than he should.
Bruno steps up, and I shake my head, letting him know things are under control. Bruno “The Enforcer” Lombardi is just one of the many soldiers I employ.
