“They’re good men. A little intense at times, but good.”
“Is this really as bad as they are making it seem?”
“From what I can tell so far, yes. It gives exact details about our schedules so we can be followed and taken out. And it iseveryone. Which is the main problem with trying to take on organized crime: it’s like a hydra. But they could, if they were motivated enough, pick us all off in one day.”
“God, Matthew,” she said, deflating. “Just when I think he can’t get any worse. I mean… how could he do that to you? You’ve done everything for him.”
“I’m more disgusted that he is willing to go after our children and women. That’s fucking evil.”
“Can you keep them safe?”
“It’s a little easier since it’s summer,” I told her. “We can kind of put them on lockdown. Or, if it gets that serious, we could send them away.”
“Away where?”
“Good question.”
I didn’t have an answer. I knew we had some safe houses. But no safe house would be safe enough for the women and kids without guards. I could see the husbands and fathers possiblyshipping their kids off to allies. Other Families—like the Morellis of Staten Island, the D’Onofrios of Queens. Even maybe the Families in upstate New York or the Grassis in New Jersey.
We had places.
We had people.
It would just take a lot of finagling and a lot of grumbling on the parts of the women and kids.
“You sure you’re alright?” I asked as her hand went to her locket, her finger slipping across it.
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I’m okay for the moment. Don’t let me keep you from your… meeting.”
“Okay. Thanks for the coffee, honey. Oh, and Brio said you can keep the dog if you want.”
I managed to catch her glance toward the dog, the affection and hope, before I made my way back to the dining room.
Everyone was finishing up with their pages, and Lorenzo was talking in low tones to Emilio.
“She alright?”
“Processing, I think. She didn’t even know I was in the Family until today. It’s a lot.”
“Then we drag her in here like an interrogation,” Emilio said, looking regretful.
“She’s tough. She’ll be alright.”
“You said she was chased. Did she see the guy? Did he say anything?”
“No. He was average height and weight with a baseball cap shading his face. He grabbed her when she tripped, and she kicked him and got away. I was trying to convince myself it was random crime. But with all this, I’m not sure anymore.”
“Okay. In that case, what are your plans for her?” Lorenzo asked.
“My plans?”
“We’re all taking responsibility for our women,” he explained. “Some are heading out. Some are locking down. You need a plan for her.”
“She’s not…”
“Oh, come on,” Leo said, shaking his head.
“If you won’t take care of her, I can have her—” Zeno started.
