Page 80 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

John sits back and looks me over. I see the wheels turning. He taps the top of the envelope now sitting on the table. “You say Jackie came to you, not my Vito?”

“Yeah, it was Jackie. Good thing too, I couldn’t afford the loss. With the promotions coming down in the family, I’ll be doing some expanding and making some changes. A loss like that could have been a setback.”

And there it is. The twitch in his neck. It tells me all I need to know. My friend here would have preferred I take the loss. Not that there was a threat in the first place.

The money is from a deal I fucked Vito out of. A construction job I plan to hand over to Mitch’s cousin. Keep the money in the family and all. By the time Vito learns of how I’ve screwed him out of the contracts, he’ll be dead, and his father will have spent the money.

“You know, I always thought Giuseppe would hand the family over to you.”

I shrug and wave him off. “He’ll hand it over to the right person. I’m just here to do my part.” I stand and rap my knuckles on the table.

“Thanks. Let Jackie know it’s good to have a few guys like him around. He keeps this up, I’ll be sure to bring you more of those. I appreciate it, I really do.”

Seed planted, I turn and leave. Now, I have a little doll to handle.

***

We’re riding back to the house when my phone rings. Seeing it’s an international number, I answer. It could be Ma. She calls from Secure lines when she needs to talk to me.

“Hello,” I say as I pick up.

“Ciao.”

I don’t know the voice so I’m quiet for a moment. “Ciao, con chi sto parlando?”

“Puoi rilassarti, cugino. Non chiamo un nemico, ma un amico,” he replies.

“Ah, Gianni. How you doing? I was wondering when you’d introduce yourself.”

“Uncle Giuseppe has spoken of me?”

“He has. What can I do for you, cousin?”

“Do you speak Gaelic?”

“A bit, I might be rusty. Although, I have others around me who do.”

“Brush up, my cousin, because your name has come up from the tongues of a few Irish men. I’m just looking out for family. I hope you remember this when I come to ask a favor.”

“Um, I guess we’ll have to wait to see how well my memory serves me. I’m sure it will go as far as the information given,” I say coolly while seething on the inside.

“Barbieri had a reason he wouldn’t allow for Riccardo’s demise. Translate this, cousin.” I place the phone on speaker and look over at Jace. “Tá an ceann dearg ceangailte. Le teagmháil a buachaillí cuirfear tús le cogadh. Is é an lámh deiridh a imreoidh sé.”

The line goes dead, and I sit stewing. Catching bits and pieces, I already know whatever he just said is a problem. When I look into Jace’s eyes, it’s confirmed.

Jace and Ny are the ones who’ve taken to Gaelic most. I skipped this one for Russian. Now, as I sit waiting for a translation, I wish I hadn’t.

“The redhead is connected. To touch her boys will start a war. It’s the final hand he’ll play.”

“Fuck, Barbieri wanted or had an Irish connection through Frances. Ma didn’t know this?”

“I doubt that. There has to be more. Who was that guy?”

“My cousin, Gianni Beneventi,” I reply as my thoughts spin.

That’s the second curveball I’ve been thrown. No matter, I’ll get answers and then it’s back to business. Although, I’m now in an even fouler mood.

“Some cocksuckers really feel they have enough balls to threaten me with war?” I nod to myself.

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