Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
To my surprise, he takes the gold case and gestures with his head for his man to leave. He then follows me, leaving both men who arrived with him behind. Ballsy, I’ll give him that.
That or he doesn’t have the proper amount of fear toward me. I get the feeling it might be a bit of both, given those I’ve heard he keeps company with. Sam Mairettie and I keep some of the same company if you look in from a distance. Or should I say LaSalle Locatelli?
I get the feeling that’s who I’m dealing with tonight. We make our way into my office, and I offer him a seat. He moves to the sitting area and sits on the couch, placing the case down on the table.
I move to the bar and go to pour myself a drink. I’m in a scotch sort of mood. I pour two fingers and turn to hold the bottle up in offering.
He shrugs. “Why not?”
I grab another glass and the bottle then head over to join him. I pour him a drink and sit back with mine. I eye the case out the corner of my eye suspiciously but make no rush to reach for it.
“What is this about, LaSalle?” I ask as I glare at him.
“May I?” He points at the bottle for another drink.
“Drink up. I assume you’ve come as a friend. Drink like one, mate.”
“I have come as a friend. A friend who you can feel welcome to call on. I brought you something I believe you were on your way to collect.”
Now my curiosity is piqued. I reach for the case and turn it to me. The craftsmanship of the gold case-like box is stunning.
I open it and the scent of rotting flesh burns my nose. A glance into the box reveals two severed hands. The ring on the left hand grabs my attention.
Another on the right confirms my suspicions. I close the case and purse my lips. I guess I won’t be going to Connecticut.
“What do you want in return?”
“I ask for nothing. You had a problem. As a friend, I solved it.
“You called me, LaSalle. Just so you understand, I’ve come as a Locatelli. We want you to know you have friends within our family. Times are changing and the right friends are good to have.”
“Does this change involve an affirmative on my request?”
“If you have time, I would like to tell you all about the benefits of your friendship with me. Things will be different. I’m looking for a few who would like to share the world with me.
“I’m not after Italy. I want it all. For men like us, no should never be the response you receive. I understand why it was what you were met with. Doesn’t mean I agree,” he says.
“So you would have given me the green light?”
“You would have a seat at the table. You wouldn’t have had to ask.”
Michael
I stand between the hidden panel to Uri’s office and the door to the exit, my hands dripping in blood. Rage and anger are seething within me.
“Thank you for hearing me out. I look forward to our future if you decide the Alliance is for you,” the man in Uri’s office says as Uri claps him on the back.
“You have given me much to consider. Only time will tell from here,” Uri responds.
“Yes, that it will.”
“I will see you again, LaSalle.”
I lift a brow. LaSalle Locatelli is a name that rings bells, but much like Uri, he is an enigma. I can’t help wondering what all of that was about.
“Come out. My phone has been buzzing incessantly. Tell me what has happened,” Uri calls once LaSalle is gone.
I slide the panel back and step forward. Uri’s eyes go wide. I must look a sight.
“Fucking Christ. What in the bloody hell? Tell me none of that is your blood.”
“No, none of it is mine, but a lot of it belongs to the don. Leonardo Trovati sent men to ambush us at the meeting at Don Alessio’s restaurant,” I say in explanation.
It was after hours, but our men were there. The old bastard took a bullet before I could get him covered. He’s one strong son of a bitch.
“Fucking hell. I grow tired of this.” He swallows hard. “Trovati?”
“I got him out of there and he’s going to survive. However, we both lost men. That bastard Leonardo lost more.”
“Did you recognize any of them? Can we use this against him this time?”
“No, once again, not Italians. He has managed to cover his tracks again. My concern at the moment is Salvatore. He didn’t warn me this time.”
“Fuck,” he growls and pulls a hand down his face. “That can only mean he has been caught, or he will be soon.”
Those are exactly my thoughts. I came here to inform Uri of the situation and see how he wants to handle it. Salvatore has been loyal. If we can extract him, I want to do so.