“What do you have for me?” I bark out as my informant steps in the room.
“Word on the street is that the uptown club is trying to overtake the downtown by copying their marketing strategy. My sources are unclear as to who came up with the idea, but they believe their hopes are to confuse you into making a rash decision about business which will lower the value.”
I grunt.
“So pretty much you have nothing for me.”
“They only thing I know is for sure is that the East side isn’t involved to the best of my knowledge. I was, however, able to look into that wine sample you provided me. It traces it back to an orchard that is located out in Arizona. Real special wine with a long sheet of requests. No connection to New York that I can find, but I can see if we can get more ordered here soon.”
He steps forward and hands Lo a folder. He glances through it.
“Thanks, C. Keep your ears open for now. I will decide on the wine later. You are dismissed.”
Gio escorts him to the door on my command then closes it behind him.
“Do you think he is telling the truth?” Lo asks from beside me.
“Jury’s still out. Watch the marketing plan and keep me apprised of any changes. What about the wine he is talking about?”
Lo hands me the folder and I flip through it. Ronald Benedict Thompson, 33, of Tucson, Arizona. C wasn’t lying about his rap sheet. Aggravated assault, drug possession, and burglary. Hell, the man even has a charge for prostitution.
Just another low-level criminal. It could be an associate of one of the crew like C was insinuating, but I know the truth. There is another criminal in Arizona who has a sudden interest in New York and he is not interested in my business.
“Seems someone might be interested in that piece of property you recently acquired. How should we proceed?”
Gio’s words cause me to see red. It was bad enough that this man came into my neighborhood and started shooting it up. There hasn’t been a shooting in Brooklyn in the six months since I officially took over. I saw to it that things would stay that way. No, then he had to go and be connected to Sofia’s past.
“We need to procure this wine first, then we can worry about the interested party for the property. One step at a time. Don’t get too greedy either. We need this to go smoothly.”
“Understood.” The men say at the same time.
This is why Gio and Lo are my top two. They provide me counsel that is much needed while also knowing when to keep it to themselves.
“How are the girls?”
Lo chuckles. “Bruno says they are aching for the sun. They finally convinced him to bring them a deck of cards to stay busy.”
I smile. Of course, they did.
“Matteo?”
“Better. Seems a room full of women really brought out the healthy side of him. Bruno says he hears him giggling with the girls. He legit used the word giggling. It might have been safer to leave him alone than have a gaggle of women with him.”
I join his laughter. I can imagine him sitting there, unable to move while being subjected to the tales of those three women. Hell, half the time I wasn’t sure why I endured them.
A pair of dark brown eyes cross my mind.
Ok so maybe I do know why.
Either way, it is probably pure torture for the poor kid.
“Make an extra trip out to his family today. Make sure they are good.” Lo nods. “Gio, can you get a package together for him? I want him to know that he is appreciated.”
“Of course, boss.”
I look at the time. It has been hours since I left the estate. I came straight to Crimson. While it is not 100% secure, it is the best place to meet outside the house. As long as no one forgets the code, we are okay. If I leave now, I can make it back for dinner.
“Have Nonna Rosa prepare dinner. We will eat in the dining room tonight with the ladies. After we will discuss our next steps with them.”
