Page 10 of Escape You

“Are you kidding? Now the New York faction is going to try and poach us?”

The Big 5 consisted of the five original gang families. They were gatekeepers, powerful and ruthless. After the turmoil of the Prohibition era and crackdown on organized crime, they’d gone underground to run the streets from the shadows. The New York faction claimed to have the unwavering protection of the Big 5. Whether that rumor was true or not, we couldn’t know. No one was stupid enough to test that theory.

“It’s only a rumor. I mention it so you understand how quickly we need to get our house in order.”

I rose to my feet. More and more,my wayseemed childish. I could do chaos and devastation, as Uncle Mickey had, but my family deserved better. We all did. Mickey’s time was over. It was time for something new. Of course, if they’d let me. The city council was right. What was the point of meeting with a dead woman walking? I had to try.

“Forget about dinner. I want to see the councilor right now. Bring her to me.”

“I’ll meet you outside.” Vic strode out the office, leaving me to sort through all the information that’d gushed out of his little black notebook.

By the time I climbed in the back seat of the SUV, he had already arranged for a lunch at Luciano’s, my favorite restaurant. He’d also arranged for a car to pick up Linda, a high school friend and the recently elected councilor.

I met his gaze in the rearview mirror for the third time since I got in the car. “What?”

“You have something to say to me, you need to speak up.” Vic put on his turn signal and switched lanes. The town’s center was packed with businesspeople rushing to eat before their break was over.

“Why are you not boss? Why let Joey’s kid run the show. It would be as easy as breathing for the crew to accept you.” That small fact stung a little. The truth always did.

“I wasn’t Mickey’s first choice. Dom was,” he said, deadpan.

“What does that mean? You want the job or not?”

“I don’t want the job. It isn’t for me. I like to come and go as I please. I owe no one shit.”

Dom Moretti had been Uncle Mickey’s favorite since we were kids. He adopted Dom, same as me. In a way, Uncle Mickey groomed me to be Dom’s wife, his second in command. For a time, I considered marrying Dom. The two of us would have done this place justice. That was until Dom went to college and fell in love with a fellow lawyer. He left everything behind to be with her. He gave up on his family; I could never do that.

“In time, Mickey would’ve realized you were the better choice. You always were. You stopped being Joey’s kid a long time ago. You’re the right person for the job.”

My eyes watered at Vic’s words. Not in a million years would I have guessed that one day Vic would be my second. When I was little, I’d sneak into the crew meetings and he would pull on my pigtails to get my attention as I roamed under the table. He always had a cookie for me. He was a tough guy then, the only one tough enough to go against Mickey, to challenge his views and decisions. To hear him say I was the right person to lead the crew was everything to me.

“You’re getting soft old man.” I shrugged and glanced out the window.

He tittered. “I must be.”

At Luciano’s, Vic parked out back and I went inside through the service door. The chef had a table set up for two in a quiet corner in the kitchen. He’d already served my favorite, fried ravioli and a sangiovese.

“Good to see you, Mia.” He kissed my cheek and brought his hands together to form a steeple. “We’re always honored to host you.”

“I do enjoy your fried ravioli. But mainly we’re here because we appreciate your discretion.”

“Of course. You have our full support. Always.” Behind him, Vic stood by the threshold and gave me a one-shoulder shrug. Not everyone was against me. That was something. “Linda is already here. Um, they didn’t give her a chance to get dressed. She needs a minute.” He gestured at the table he’d set for us.

So the guys just went and grabbed her to bring her to me? Some old habits die hard. Maybe it was a good thing Linda was reminded of that. We were all raised by Uncle Mickey. I was willing to try something new, but if old school was the antidote, I was prepared to go there too.

As usual, Vic vanished from sight, but I knew he was out there. When Linda returned to the table, I shook her hand, then gestured for her to sit down. Her dress pants and top didn’t match her bedroom slippers.

“How’s the new job going?”

“I would ask you the same, but I already know.” She took a long swig of wine.

“Good. So you know why I’m here.”

“Yes. I promise I will help any way I can, but you gotta know I have limitations. I don’t own the council.”

“You know me. And you know I get things done. I need you to help me decide how I’m going to do that.”

“I understand. And I appreciate that intimidation wasn’t your first tactic, though it made you look weak with the rest of the council members.” She bit her lip, then offered a sad smile. “Get your crew in line, and I’ll get you an audience with the rest of the members. I’m on your side, Mia”

---