AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, I know, but I’ve never met anyone else outside of my mother who was forced to face it. Besides, to see her gorgeous face swollen and bloody brought out the old Dom in me, the one who wanted to hunt her father and this fiancé down and kill both of them.”
I knew the sentiment better than he likely remembered. I took a swig of my drink, curious what I could say to him that would matter. “Did you offer her assistance?” Dominick had also introduced a woman’s shelter, church members funding the safe residence, allowing women with children a place to stay until they got on their feet. Hell, I’d donated to the cause more than once.
“Yeah, I did, against my better judgment too. She declined; fearful I would get hurt. Can you believe that? And get this. She told me she was wearing an ankle bracelet.”
When I didn’t get it right away, he laughed. “Are you talking about a monitoring system worn by convicted criminals under house arrest?”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Can you fucking believe it?”
“That will be five Hail Mary’s, Father,” I teased.
“Very funny. I thought we could be ourselves inside this incredible space.” He grinned but it was short lived. “There’s a hell of a lot more to the story. I’m certain of it. She seemed resigned and somewhat fragile, but I sensed the girl had a strong backbone. Still, it was as if out of the blue her entire world had been crushed. I think she ran into my church hoping for some kind of salvation that no one can provide.”
“So she’s a member of your church?”
“No. I’ve never seen her before. From what little else she said, I think she’s from Chicago.” He put his glass on one of the standing tables, racking up the balls slowly. “And don’t you dare think you’re going to profit from this.”
“Profit? Come on, my friend. That’s not me.”
We laughed again but he was right that I considered every misfortune a business opportunity.
Chicago. My hackles were instantly raised given what had recently occurred. “You’re certain of the location?”
“I think that’s what she said. Why?” He lifted a single eyebrow as he glanced in my direction.
“Let’s just say I was saved from needing your prayers a couple days ago, the people responsible supposedly obtaining ties with a syndicate out of Chicago. I don’t know that to be gospel but it’s the word on the street. And this is my confession. I killed four men, Father, and I’d do so again.”
“What?” He quickly realized what I was saying. “Whoa. The shooting at the restaurant. That was you?”
“In the flesh.” I swirled my drink, offering a grin. “A rival syndicate has reared their ugly head. I’m about to cut it off.”
“I’m sorry, buddy. I take it you know who’s responsible.”
“The Bianchis.”
The name caught him off guard and he lifted his eyebrows. “Jesus Christ. Not again. I’m sorry.”
“Not as sorry as I am. Max is nervous as well as furious, but he doesn’t want to start a war.”
“Especially since there is a tremendous push to bring down as many members of organized crime as possible.” He lifted his eyebrows. “It is an election year.”
“Yeah, I know.” Any time the mayor’s position came on the ballot, there was a hard push, the various ‘new’ candidates acting as if they had a snowball’s chance in hell at eradicating or even slowing down the various syndicates in operation. The majority of mafia families were incorporated with legitimate offices and staff. Whether any of their businesses were legitimate or not, as most of ours were, they’d learned through trial and error how to launder money and always keep their worlds presentable. Still, the possible change in personnel always put the cops on edge.
“Sadly, I’m well aware but it appears the Bianchis are attempting to increase their footprint into fresh territories. And it would seem they don’t mind walking all over us in the process. I can’t allow that to happen.”
“The interstates and ports from New York to Chicago. They’ve certainly cornered some markets in Jersey.”
Dominick had been my sounding board long enough that his knowledge of my family’s business practices as well as that of other syndicates was strong. He could become the single greatest weapon against my family if he wasn’t so entirely virtuous. Arranged marriage. If the girl was from an important Chicago syndicate, that could bode well for the Bianchis’ future. “Exactly. Coincidence? I doubt it. Do you think that girl will make a return?”
He could easily tell I was salivating to talk to her. “Hold on. Forget I fucking said anything. I wouldn’t break my vows and allow you to talk to her even if I knew who she was, which I don’t. And I don’t think she’d want your kind of help either. I’ll guess she has had her fill of dealing with something similar.”
“I’m insulted.” I slapped my chest then laughed.
“Nice try, my friend. And no. You’re not getting anything else from me. The girl was very sad. It was obvious she was in love with someone else, a guy who took her virginity.”
Almost immediately I bristled. “What did you say?”
“I’m just repeating what she told me.”
