“Hey, hey. Long time no see, Lorenzo.” His grin was honest, his eyes twinkling.
“Russo. What’s good on the menu today?” I asked as he performed the obligatory hug. Russo and I had gone to high school together, his love of food evident even then. We’d formed the three amigos, Dante the other member. Those had been good times. Russo had certainly made his father proud, the restaurant named after Luigi’s only son. My father had taken both Stefan and me here dozens of times after sporting events at school, the only time I’d seen my father relax and pretend he gave a shit about his two sons.
“Everything! I will make certain you and your friends have a fine feast!” His laugh was boisterous, his face beet red from the extra weight he carried. I’d often envied his life, normal in every fashion.
“That sounds wonderful, my friend. I’m looking forward to it. Where’s your father?”
“You work too much, my friend. You need a wife, someone to keep you home at night, a house full of children.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “One day, Russo. One day.” I patted him on the shoulder before heading toward the back room. Luigi had been accommodating every time I asked, closing down the private area and keeping watch. Was I taking a tremendous chance? Perhaps, but Russo’s had been kept off the radar, never mentioned in any manner. I’d handled the collection of money since I’d been allowed into my father’s world.
Was the location ironic? Maybe I wanted to test fate. Hell, maybe I wanted Axel to make a move, although I hadn’t even told Dante about the meeting and certainly hadn’t been followed. I found Luigi just outside the kitchen, his face beaming.
“My boy. So good to see you.” His Italian accent seemed to be heavier than normal, his embrace just as I’d always remembered.
“I know it’s been too long. How have you been?”
“Eh, business is down. You know how it goes. I have you set up just as you requested.” He led me into the room, very proud that he’d been able to get everything ready in a short period of time. “Whatever you want, it’s on the house.”
“I don’t do business that way, Luigi. You know that. I pay my bills. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“The least I can do for your protection and your love. I’ll send your friends in when they arrive.” He bowed his head in a sign of reverence that I honestly didn’t feel I deserved. His family had endured difficult times, the loss of his wife unexpected and the blow almost too much for the man to endure. And my father hadn’t attended her funeral.
A grudge I would hold against my father for my lifetime.
Today, I would pay twice what was listed on the bill.
As always, he’d prepared an open bar, allowing both me and my guests to have free rein over our libations. I doubted Luigi knew just how much I admired him.
I poured a glass of scotch for a change, marveling in the taste as I prepared to ask for help. I wasn’t alone for long, two members arriving at the same time.
“Interesting location to meet, Lorenzo,” Dominick stated in his usual brooding manner as he walked in, extending his hand. In his other was a laptop.
He was my best option of finding out every scrap of dirt I could on Axel. He and I had never been friends. In the beginning, we’d barely tolerated each other. I’d known from minute one that he hadn’t wanted me in this elite group, but he’d been coerced. I’d grown to respect him over time, both in his professional and personal endeavors. He had honor, which was much more than I could say about the majority of people I dealt with. “They have excellent food.”
Miguel had entered with him and seemed to be watching us engage as if we could possibly get into a scuffle. “I must admit, I could eat. You’re looking good, Italian Stallion.”
I growled, hearing the nickname no one used in my presence except for the sophisticated Puerto Rican. “I can see Miami has been good for your tan as well as your appetite.”
Dominick burst into laughter, the handshake firm and gregarious. “I’ll also enjoy our dinner.”
“I appreciate you both coming on such short notice.”
“When a member of our alliance is in need, I feel my honor requires me to aid them.” He stated the words with such conviction that I immediately believed him. “I already heard about your brother. I am sorry. Is he likely to survive?”
I wasn’t happy the news had spread so quickly, but it seemed news traveled fast to New York, the Lugiano family controlling so much of the Northeast. They were powerful in their rein, Dominick a masterful and sophisticated leader, having taken over from his father only recently. And I could tell he was basking in his overlord status.
“The news isn’t good,” I said as casually as I could manage. My visit to the hospital had only solidified my increasing rage even more, Stefan’s seemingly lifeless body frail in my mind. He’d lost so much blood, the two bullets tearing through his abdomen, destroying his spleen and even nicking one of his lungs. If he survived the crucial twenty-four hours, there was question of his brain functionality given his lack of oxygen for an extended period of time.
“I’m truly sorry to hear that,” Miguel said, hissing under his breath.
“How is Miami?” I asked, knowing the Garcia cartel had recently gone through a takeover attempt much like I was experiencing. The sting of having the Solntsevskaya Bratva attempting to muscle in on my own turf months before remained. I’d lost some business over the issue, something that would remain furrowing in my mind. One day I’d have a discussion with the leader.
“Calm. Controlled,” Miguel answered, giving me a slight smile. I’d heard the lengths he’d gone to, including taking the Cuban kingpin’s daughter as his own. It seemed we all had the same idea. In truth, he was far more brutal than I’d believed he could be. “Everything smells fantastic and I’m starving.”
I laughed, pointing toward the bar. “Grab a drink. I’m assured the feast will make your trip worthwhile.”
“I would hope so,” Michael said jokingly as he walked into the room. Once a movie star, he’d taken full control of the West Coast after his father, the legendary Ricardo Cappalini had almost died during an assassination attempt.
He still carried the movie star vibe, his good looks and charm always drawing in the ladies. Now he was a married man, twins on the way. How quickly things changed.
Only the brooding Russian hadn’t arrived. His savage tactics would come in hand during this… crisis. Shit, I hated to admit that I had one, but there was no choice. Things had gotten to an emergency level in my mind.
“I took the liberty of building a file on the Movinos,” Dominick stated, easing the laptop onto one of the side tables. “You’ve got a shit load to deal with.”
“Meaning Axel Movino is more connected than I thought.” I heard the angst in my voice.
“Without a doubt, although I must admit I’m surprised. He’s not a true leader. There is no real family, merely thugs he’d collected as followers.” Dominick lifted a single eyebrow, pressing the on button then walking toward the bar. “However, it would appear that he’s well-funded with influential friends.”
“That much I know,” I muttered before taking a sip of my drink, my thoughts drifting to Sierra. I was beginning to wonder if Dante had reached the hideout location. There was a late spring storm, making traveling dicey, but he should have called in by now. I hadn’t told her I had no plans of joining her until this was over. I needed to concentrate, at least during the next two crucial days.
I watched as a waiter I’d never seen brought prepared hors d’oeuvres into the room. Almost immediately, I reached for my gun, only Dominick able to stop me from pulling the weapon into my hands.
“Relax, Lorenzo. I doubt a repeat event is going to occur,” he said under his breath, even though he’d opened his suit jacket, the sight of his shoulder holster becoming visible. “It would appear that Axel is calculated in his methods.”
“I don’t relax. You ought to know that.” I held my breath until the kid left the room, admonishing myself for attempting a meeting in a location such as this. I’d drawn a line in the sand with the devil, tempting the very gods. Damn, I wanted this shit over with.
“If he’s calculated then he may have someone behind him,” Michael suggested.