Page 55 of Southie
A wide smile stretched across his face, and the way his eye glinted with happiness, I knew his answer wouldn’t be good.
“I want New England.”
Oh shit!
“You want a war,” I said, more as a statement than a question.
If I were to give in to the Rizzos, that was exactly what would happen, and it would more than likely be on a scale neither one of our organizations had ever experienced.
He shrugged nonchalantly, like he hadn’t just said he wanted to start a war between the Irish and Italians. If he went after New England, even if Paddy died, a war could go on for months, even years, causing countless deaths rivaling any other mob wars.
“The Irish can’t stand against me, Liam. Paddy’s downfall is inevitable. I love my brother, and I’m allowing you to correct the grievance against your family and the mother of his child. However, regardless of what you decide today, the fact remains, I will have New England. The question is what will you gain from it?
The answer to that question was simple. I’d gain my freedom.
“If we do it this way, it keeps a lot of people from dying,” Don Rizzo continued.
“You know, if I take Paddy out, that doesn’t mean that’s the end,” I replied. “His son, Patrick, is just as ruthless, and the takeover of Irish territory by the Italians won’t go over well with the other Irish factions.”
Don Rizzo sat back in his chair and chuckled. “You let me worry about that. You’re young, Liam. Live your life outside of this world. Meet a beautiful woman, have a couple of kids.” He took another sip of red wine. “I want New England and Paddy is in the way. Respecting my brother's wishes, I’ve waited until your grandmother’s passing before going after what I wanted. Now that she’s gone, this is the time. With a blood debt, only blood can take his life. This is beneficial for all involved.”
Gerald remained stoic, but his slight head nod signaled we were both on the same page. While this was my decision, Gerald understood me working for Paddy was out of necessity, not because of want. With Paddy out of the picture, I’d be out of “the life” and the death of Aunt Samantha would be avenged. My boxing career would finally be my only concern, and I’d live the life I wanted far from Southie, hopefully with Camilla by my side if she’d still have me.
“The only way out of the Irish Mob is by blood. If I spill Paddy’s, I owe the Rizzo Crime Family nothing. I owe the Irish Mob nothing. My debt’s paid, and my family’s name avenged. Everyone in my family, including my friend here,” I tossed my thumb in Gerald’s direction, “will be under the protection of the Rizzo family for life. You agree to those terms and we have a deal.”
“Agreed,” Don Rizzo said without hesitation. He stood and shook my hand. “Get in touch after it’s done. I’ll take care of the rest.”
He turned and left the dining room with his sons following, only tilting their head in acknowledgment. Agostino stayed behind.
When all the Rizzos had exited, Agostino turned to me. “This means the world to me, Liam. If I could’ve done it myself and not risked a war within my family, I would have.”
I could feel Agostino’s love for my aunt, and I believed he would’ve done anything for her. To wait all these years to get revenge against the person who killed the love of your life, the mother of your child, must’ve been torture for him.
“I was young when she passed, but I remember some things about her,” I said. “She was my blood, and I’ll do anything for my family.”
He extended his hand, and I returned the gesture. “I know our families have had some bad blood between us because of this situation, but Eric is your family. I hope you two can at least be civil with one another since everything’s out in the open. Sam would’ve liked that.”
With no more words, Agostino gave a slight smile and exited the restaurant.
“Well shit, that went better than expected,” Gerald said with a sigh of relief.
I chuckled when I saw how nervous he’d truly been. An ex-Marine who’d done three tours overseas rattled by a mob meeting.
My head shook as my laughter increased. “What were you expecting?”
“Hell man, I don’t know. A gun battle or some shit.” He shrugged. “It’s not every day I get to sit in on a fucking mob meeting.”
He laughed, shaking his head.
“Trust me, if Don Rizzo wanted us dead, we wouldn’t have even made it inside the restaurant.”
“Still, my adrenaline hasn’t been this high since I left Afghanistan,” Gerald said as we exited the restaurant to rush back to the truck. “This is why I need peace and quiet.”
“You’re in, right?” I tossed the keys to him. “I’ll pull the trigger, but I don’t think I can pull this one off by myself. Paddy will always have protection around him.”
“Do you even have to ask?” Gerald said with a serious expression.
He was right. I knew I didn’t have to ask. Gerald always had my back.
