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I smiled, my balls tightening as I thought about her. Although she didn’t know it, I’d given her the gift of maintaining her life for a few additional days.
Then she’d become mine permanently.
I’d already dispatched Dillon and another soldier to keep an eye on her, maintaining a close watch while not invading her space. I’d also asked him to find every scrap of dirt on Mayor Washington. There’d been assumptions made over the years, questionable payments to the man in large sums, but nothing concrete. I needed everything possible against him in his battle against us.
While Sarah’s appearance in my life had yet to be made public, I had a feeling Moretti was watching me closely, prepared to strike at the first sign of weakness. The sooner the mayor backed down or played his hand the better.
Especially since I’d sent word that Theodora would never marry Nico. That would push Joseph’s buttons, which should allow me to find out why Luciano was so dead set on killing the man. I had to keep my guard up at all times from now on.
The Brotherhood had been instructed to use the private entrance to the executive suite, but I’d chosen to enter by the front door, both bouncers immediately stiffening.
“Any issues?” I asked Bruno. He was not only head of security for the club, he was also considered the general manager. He was brutal, completely without a conscience and had no issue following orders. He was also brilliant with numbers as well as customer service, surprising given his usual demeanor.
“None. A full house. Some special clients, Don Giordano,” he answered, grinning. That meant several of the elite members were indulging in gambling or partaking in fulfilling whatever proclivity suited them. I would take full advantage of keeping tabs on all of them, using their indiscretions against them if necessary.
I was surprised how much I’d changed in four short weeks. Tragedy was the reason. I found I enjoyed the role of Don more than I’d thought I would. What did that make me?
As I walked further inside, I sensed eyes were on me from the start. Every employee gave me a nod of respect as I passed by, but I could smell their fear.
For a Tuesday night, the club was very busy. I noticed several politicians as I walked through the main club floor. Before I headed to the elevator, I moved into the casino and was pleasantly surprised at what I found.
Mayor Washington was sitting at a table with friends, indulging in cognac and cigars. That wasn’t in any way illegal, the state of New York appreciating the income provided by gambling facilities such as the club, but given his hatred for the Giordano family, his appearance was surprising. Or was it a subtle yet clear threat? I would soon find out.
I grabbed the arm of a cocktail waitress, pulling her aside. “Send a complimentary bottle of our finest cognac to my special guests.” I nodded toward their table, watching them intently.
“Yes, sir. Right away.”
I waited as she walked away, studying the room. Why Luciano hadn’t spent more time here was beyond me. I would enjoy nurturing various… relationships. I waited for a few minutes, studying their actions. I knew for certain the mayor wasn’t a member, which meant he’d been invited as a guest. Only yesterday at one of his frequent press conferences, he denounced every crime syndicate, reiterating his commitment to cleaning up the streets. I’d heard he’d recently received threats and had naturally assumed I was to blame.
That wasn’t my style, at least not in any traditional method. I laughed and unbuttoned my jacket before heading in his direction. One of the other men at the table noticed me first, his posture becoming tense.
None of the men stood, preferring to act as if my arrival meant nothing, but I could see trepidation in several pairs of eyes.
“Good evening, gentlemen. I’m certain you’re enjoying our accommodations,” I said, casually glancing from one to the other.
Mayor Washington smirked, purposely blowing a puff of cigar smoke in my direction. “An interesting club, Giordano.”
He’d never acknowledged any member of my family with a formal gesture, which had irritated the hell out of Luciano. To me, it was as telling as the slight tic in the corner of his mouth.
Just like so many others, he had no clue how I would handle the leadership position. It was enjoyable to keep everyone guessing. As the waitress approached the table, I remained silent.
“Compliments of the house,” she said, placing the bottle in the center.
“I wouldn’t want to cut into your profits,” Senator Thompson said. He was a burly man in his sixties, once a force to be reckoned with. Now he spent his remaining two years in Congress arguing with anyone who didn’t see eye to eye with him. He also had a penchant for underage girls, the photos I’d acquired stored in a safe location. He wasn’t a threat, but if he dared cross me, he’d learn what facing my wrath felt like.
“Nonsense,” I said with zero inflection. “Anything for our highly esteemed members. I want to ensure that you enjoy every aspect of what Club Rio has to offer. Just be careful that you don’t step into quicksand. There is usually no method of rescue.” I grinned, shifting my gaze from one man to the other.
“That sounds like a threat, Giordano,” Mayor Washington said. “I don’t like to be threatened.”
“Remember that you are a guest here, Mayor. As such, I could quickly revoke your pass and I don’t think that’s something you want.” I glared at him, daring him to push any harder. There was no doubt by the look in his eyes that he was up to something. It was up to me to find out what before the hammer fell, news regarding his daughter rocking his world. Fortunately, there’d yet to be any photographs in the new media of my face, only a shot of the family leaving the funeral, assumptions made that the younger brother would be taking over.
“Besides,” I added. “I never make threats.”
Timing was important. I certainly didn’t want to hunt my little bird should she decide to flee in fear.
But I would.
Then I’d lock her inside her gilded cage.
