Page 61 of Sal Gabrini: Man on Fire

“Okay. You’re coming now?”

“I’m coming when I can get there, Mace. You just have to wait.” And then she ended the call.

Sal was looking at her sidelong. “I know better than that,” he said.

“What’s he doing in my hotel?” asked Reno.

“He said one of his clients performs her last night of residency at the PaLargio. He’s there to support her.”

“And now he’s in trouble again?” asked Trina. “What the fuck is Mason up to?”

“Who’s Mason?” asked Dommi.

“Kidd Curry,” said Reno.

“Who’s Kidd Curry?” asked Dommi.

“None of your fucking business, alright?” said Trina. “Goodness boy. You talk too much just like your daddy! Go on, Gem.”

“What kind of trouble is he in now?” asked Sal.

“Murder trouble. The girl that had accused him of assaulting her was found dead in the Santa Ana river.”

“Isn’t that the same scenario that happened to him before?” asked Tommy.

Gemma nodded. “Yes, it is. He believes he’s being set up.”

“Set up my ass,” said Reno. “That don’t sound like no set-up to me. That sounds like a pattern to me.”

“What does any of this have to do with you?” Sal asked Gemma.

“I’m on retainer, Sal.”

“So?”

“So, I signed a contract stating that I would represent him with any future legal proceedings. I have to escort him to the police station at least. And then I’ll assess the case and see where we go from there.”

“This is bullshit, Gemma!” Sal proclaimed and then Mick, who had ended his call, walked back over.

“What’s bullshit?”

But just as Dommi was about to tell him, a member of Sal’s gate security hurried over from the booth.

“Sir?”

“What is it?” Sal asked.

“The bosses are here to see you.”

“What bosses?” asked Dommi.

“Handle your shit, Sal,” said Mick as Sal began heading toward his security gate. “You don’t have time to nursemaid their asses. You have your own problems.”

“Some unity coalition,” said Reno. “More likeSal takes care of them and they don’t do shit for Salcoalition. Their asses don’t do anything but depend on him. He should have dissolved that shit a long time ago.”

“Agreed,” said Mick.

The security gate opened as Sal made his way toward the gate. They all could see a limo where Palo, Boomer, and Milo were standing beside it. As soon as Sal made it up to the three mob bosses, Palo Bracchi grabbed Sal by his suit coat and tried to cold-cock him with a hard punch. Mick, Tommy, Reno and Dommi all ran to Sal’s defense. His grounds security, along with his gate security, was hurrying over to Sal’s defense too.

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