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“Let me preface this meeting by saying that Santino has married into my family this past weekend,” Leo states. “With that being said, we are in the process of merging our families and our respected businesses together. My family does not touch the drug business. We never have and we never will. So, Santino’s connection to you was something I needed to take care of if him and I were going to move forward with our plans.”

“Are you trying to fire me, Mr. Carfano?” Javi asks.

“Not at all. I am proposing to hand the transporting portion of your operation over to the Melcciona family. We’ve already met with them and they’ve agreed.”

“And you expect me to trust some new family with my product because you say so? You’ve already revealed my operation to the Carfanos and the Melccionas, Santino. Do you think that was wise?” his voice takes on a deadly tone.

“My word is good, as you should already know,” Leo tells him, ignoring the last statement directed towards me. “But to ease your doubts, I also have a signed agreement from themthat mirrors your one with the Antonuccis. With an exception.” Leo pulls out the envelope from his inner suit jacket pocket and hands it to Javier. “They’ve agreed to a five percent cut in what you’re currently paying the Antonuccis for the same job.”

“Well now, that’s interesting.”

“I thought it would be.”

“Santino, what do you make of this deal? We’ve worked together for years. Leo says he doesn’t like the drug business, but we’ve never had an issue. Money is money, is it not?”

“Like Leo said, I got married last weekend. She’s a Carfano, and as such, we will now be merging our family businesses. I respect Leo’s wishes to not touch the drug game, and it was my father who made the deal with you, not me. If you are willing, the Melccionas are available to meet with you whenever you are.”

“And do they have an ulterior motive?”

“They want this deal. They know the drug business. The Jamaicans are encroaching on their territory and they need to get ahead again. They don’t want to steal anything out from under you or push you out from selling in their area.”

“Ah, so they have good motivation to remain loyal.”

“They do.”

“Alright, I agree to meet with them. We have a shipment that needs moving next week as you know, but I will not trust someone new on short notice to handle it. Alone, that is. If they pass the test, then I will meet with their boss.”

“What test?” Leo asks.

“I want men from the Melcciano family to ride along with you to show them how it’s done. If they handle it well, then we can talk. But,” he emphasizes, holding up a finger, “if they get in the way, or it seems anything is going to go south, then you kill them, or I kill all of you.Entiendes?”

“Understood.”

“Bueno. Then we’ll talk again next week. I’ll be here when you come to pick it up.”

“You want me here to supervise?” I ask him.

“No, I want you in one of the trucks.”

“I don’t go on runs, Javi,” I inform him coldly.

“But you have,” he points out.

“That was years ago when I had to prove myself to my father.”

His dark eyes are cold and calculating. “And now you have to prove yourself to me. I don’t like change, Santino, and you’ve sprung a big change on me here. If you want me to trust the Melccionas, then you need to show me that you do.”

I clench my jaw, keeping my temper from flaring. “If that’s an assurance you need so this transfer can happen, then fine, I’ll drive one of the trucks. However,” I add, seeing Javi ready to speak, “this will be the only time and this will be the only test of trust you’re going to get from me.”

Javi cracks a grin that’s anything but friendly. “I see marrying into the Carfano family has given you a reinforced set of balls and a shield to hide behind.”

“I don’t need anyone or anything to hide behind, Javier,” I almost growl out, but hold back my anger. Fucking prick. If I could get away with putting a bullet between his eyes and not have to worry about the cartel hunting me down for revenge, then I would. But I’m not putting my family, or Mia, in danger like that.

Leo clears his throat and I know it’s a message to get me to control myself.

I clench and unclench my fists under the table, needing a way to release the anger building up in me.

I hate this.

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