Page 92 of Delivered in White

“What’s the play? Everything was all cryptic on the phone.” Big Ace takes the couch nearby and leans back. “Felt like I was being lured into a top-secret mission with James Bond.”

“NickyFrits. He made an unsanctioned move on my place.”

“Star Dust?Say it ain’t so.” Ace frowns. “Those ladies are the only reason I come to Jersey once in a while.”

The others chuckle, except for me and my father. I’m past jokes. My woman is in trouble.

“Frits is a hard man to pin, from what I hear.” Castor leans forward, his elbows causing the table to creek.

“That’s why we need the extra manpower. We have to locate him before it’s too late,” I snarl.

“Too late for what?” Castor narrows his eyes.

My mouth twitches. “They have something very important to me.”

The table is all furrowed brows and side-eyes.

“Rocco’s daughter,” my father says.

“Whoa,whoa.Dotelli?”Tony Hatchet spreads his arms. “The fuck?”

“That was my arrangement with Rocco. His daughter and my son… I put them two together.” My father raises an eyebrow. “Wanted a couple of grandkids before I’m cold in a suit. Call it a final favor.”

Me and Castor stare hard at one another. I can’t tell what the big jerkoff is thinking. But he’s here, I have to give him that. He came, no questions asked.

He nods curtly at me. “Alright.”

“Alright?” Tony slaps the table. “I have about a thousand follow-up questions.”

Castor raises his hand for silence. “Sometimes a request just has to be respected, Tony.” He turns his attention to me. “I’ve been there, Trino. My woman was threatened, too. We’re here to help.”

“Even knowing it might start a war?” I say.

He nods again.

“There will be no such thing, gentlemen.” My father stands feebly, pressing both fists on the table.

“Pop, cut it out,” I warn.

“No. I’m not risking your lives because of my decisions. I’m turning myself in to Frits when you find him—”

“This ismyfucking crew.” I stand, throat hoarse and eyes bloodshot. “Myoperation. When someone takes what’s ours, we don’t bow,ever. I’m going to crush Nicky’s windpipe, and make him beg for his own death.That’show this is going to go down.”

My voice echoes throughout the space.

Pop’s jaw grits back and forth, letting the finality in my tone marinate. “Alright. Have it your way, kid.” He sits with his arms folded.

I turn to the rest of the men sitting before me. “Capri Dotelli is my wife. We got married in the shadows, on thisfucker’s account.” I point to Pop. “I kicked and screamed about it, but, ultimately, he was right. She’s important to me now. So, domethis favor… I want you all to think of your own.”

“We’re with you, cuz,” Castor says. “How many times do I have to say it?”

Big Ace smiles. “When all this is said and done, Trino, we’re having you a real wedding. Not any of this back office get hitched bullshit.” He wags his finger at me. We’re both smirking. “That’s not the Italian way.Marone,our ancestors would be rolling in their graves. I want open bar, top shelf, with a nice little poker table during the Venetian hour, alright?”

I grunt at him, holding back a hoot.

Tony folds his arms. “Alright, what’s the plan?”

“Nicky’s got three safe houses, and ten businesses between him and his crew. I’ve been to all of them these past months, never able to pin the fuck down. Chestnut said he took hostages on his way out of Star Dust – four of them, including Capri. The only way to find out for sure is to use our connections to infiltrate Nicky’s crew.”

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