“Thanks, Matteo. That is the most helpful information we have gotten yet. Lo?”
“Already on it.”
∞∞∞
“Alright. Everyone gear up and meet in the meeting room in twenty.”
I call out to my men who are milling around the foyer. Some nod while everyone goes to each section we have set up with varying levels of weapons, ammo, and bullet proof vests.
“Here, boss.”
Lo throws me my custom-made vest. I pull my black t-shirt up over my head and strap it on. I don’t know what we are going to find, but we need to find something.
Lo was able to get back into contact with Ty and get us a list of his properties in Jersey. With that, we were able to narrow down the list from 20 to 3. We are hoping they aren’t keeping them in one of the 17 residential houses. Especially since it seems like they are occupied by tenants.
The last three, my boys are sitting on. One is a large warehouse that looks run down. It looks like it used to be some manufacturing plant or something similar. The second, is a Cash Checking business. It is small, but there is nothing around so they could be there. The third, is an active warehouse. It is used for bottling water.
Once I am suited back up, I walk into the meeting room and stand at the head of the table. I wait as the men quickly filter in. Like me, they are all dressed in black. Each one of us has some type of black pants on. Mine are cargo pants so I can hold a variety of different weapons on me. I see many of my men have chosen a similar style. Over our bulletproof vests, we each wear a plain black t-shirt.
Gio walks up to me and holds out my black hoodie and beanie.
“Is everyone ready?” I ask as I slip the hoodie on and push the hat into my pocket.
“Just about.”
“Good.”
I turn to the men pushing to fill every space of the room. I speak up so that everyone can hear me.
“Alright. First, let me thank you for always being willing to step up and do whatever is needed of your Don. This mission is especially important to me. They have something that is mine. I haven’t made it widely known yet, but I can’t keep it secret. They took my woman.” I pause.
I see some of the men’s eyes widen. It is a serious thing to take any man’s woman, but taking a Don’s woman? That was asking for certain death.
“Not only have they taken my woman, they have also taken Giovanni and Lorenzo’s women who are friends with my Sofia. I sent pictures of all three to your phones. Memorize their faces. This is your number one priority. Once you find one of them, your only goal is to safely get them out. Then you bring them straight back here and protect them with your life. Then send me a text with this phrase. ‘Purple elephants have stormed the castle.’ If we can get lucky, you will find all three together. “
I see various men nod. The serious looks on their faces tells me these men are ready. They are going to do whatever they have to in order to find these women. It gives me some comfort knowing that my men seem loyal.
“Anyone found to disobey these orders or harm the women will be killed. We have had one betrayal in the family. Luca Delarossa is the enemy. If you see him, put a bullet in his head. No questions asked. If you see one of these men around you are harming the women or doing something you feel is suspicious, well do what you have to do. We need to be able to trust each other. If you don’t trust your team completely, then this won’t work.”
I scan the room looking into as many men’s eyes as I can. There has to be at least 30 men packed into this room and another 50 spilling out into the foyer and the rest of the house. These men came when I called. They are putting their lives at risk. That sight humbles me. I might not have wanted this position, but these men are willing to follow me. I need to stop second guessing myself and resenting my life and embrace it.
Lo steps up.
“Thinking about trust. I need you to split into four different groups. Do so quickly Capo’s John, Charlie, Nick, and Vito will be the lead. Hurry up.”
Within minutes each Capo came to the front, ready for their groups assignment.
I turn to Vito.
“You are going to hold down home base. No one is to enter and leave unless they are with me or they have the girls. These men will check in with you once they are done. If you haven’t heard from a crew, send them that way.”
He nods. I hand the remaining three a sheet of paper.
“These are the addresses you will be searching. Do a thorough search. Try not to hurt any innocents, but you have permission to do whatever needs to be done.”
I think over the addresses and try to decide which one I will search. Which one will she be in? It takes only a moment, but I make my decision. I trust my gut.
“Charlie, Lo and I will be going with you. Gio, you will wait here and be the head if anything should happen to me.”
