Chapter 122
Nico
I am getting a major league headache with Dario busting my balls to have a piece of the action and all the shit flying around me right now. Flying to New York straight from Vegas was not on my agenda today or tomorrow. To say I am pretty pissed is an understatement.
Onboard the jet I managed to get through a mountain of emails. Some irrelevant, some kind of interesting and some just a ball ache. Although, it would appear that I have an interest from a sports brand to have a concession in one of my stores. That’s definitely a money spinner for me, since they have approached me, they will be the ones to pay. Every bit of legitimate money is a high score.
Who’d have thought that the kid with the snotty nose at seven years of age, who was put into training with guys much bigger than me, would be able to take most of our illegal businesses and put them into legitimate ones. I know we have some shady dealings and outfits still going on, but compared to my ancestors, it’s nothing.
The ride with Dario and Tony to my offices in New York city was uneventful. Nobody spoke much. Dario was still sulking because I’ve pulled him out of Vegas and threatened to cut his allowance severely. Tony was busy with his own shit. I took the opportunity to close my eyes and think about Lucky.
She is headstrong, defiant and beautiful. I love she wants her independence but honestly, after the recent events I fear for her life. It won’t get any better and our family will always be a target. Hell, her own family is a target, although since there is the fusion now between the Gianluca’s and the Santangelo’s some have had the good sense to back off.
When I’m done in New York, I’m planning on taking Lucky on a trip. She can have the few days with her parents in Atlanta then I am whisking her away somewhere serene and free from all this toxic bullshit. Fiji perhaps or maybe I could buy a small island somewhere and just have staff to tend to our every need. My heart likes the idea of spoiling Lucky rotten, gifting her with whatever her heart desires. And planning better so I can be with her more often.
Being the wife of a Don is not an easy role. Whereas most women do comply with their husbands, Lucky is not cut of the same cloth. She wants more than being a Don’s wife and meeting up with the ladies to bitch about their men or what brand their kids are wearing to school. She is headstrong. Maybe, I muse, I could use a woman like Lucky in my organization. Perhaps I could buy her some land where she can be in charge of having a glamorous, high-end hotel constructed.
The phone buzzes on my desk. “Yashimoto-San has arrived, Nico. Shall I send him in?” Vinnie, my assistant, real name Veronica is as efficient as ever. The woman works the same hours as I do. She’s been with me for a while and never bitches about the hours. Vinnie is paid extremely well and keeps her mouth shut. Aside from Tony, she is the only other person who knows the ins and outs of my organization.
“Thanks, Vinnie. Go ahead show him in, Tony and I are ready.”
“Very well, Nico. Do you guys need anything else in there? More coffee perhaps? Some bagels?”
“No, we’re good but please ensure that Yashimoto-san has everything he needs.”
“He’s good, he has had some coffee upon arrival whilst he made some last-minute calls before asking to be shown in.”
“Very well, thanks Vinnie.”
We hang up. Tony looks up from his mobile then places it in the breast pocket of his dark jacket. He adjusts his tie that he put on when we arrived in my office. Dario is still wearing denims and a blue button-down shirt. His sleeves are rolled up to the elbow showing off his creeping vine tattoos on both arms with a dragon on the right forearm.
“Pull the sleeves down, Dario,” I instruct. He glowers at me. Fuck me! The defiance is beyond belief. “Do it. Show some respect,” I continue.
“Fuck’s sake, what is your problem? Like he hasn’t seen tattoos before. His own men are covered in ink and their icon.” Still, he does do as I have requested. I let out a sigh of relief. It is irrelevant how his guys look, what is relevant is that we show respect. The Japanese are all about honor, loyalty and respect.
I also need Yashimoto-san on my side not aligning with Petrov and his gang. At the moment everything hangs in the balance and I for one do not like the tenuousness of this situation.
Vinnie opens the door after knocking twice. She’s dressed in her customary navy skirt suit with a white, crisp shirt. Her hair is tied in a bun at the nape of her neck, her earrings pearls. Small, elegant and inobtrusive. She could easily blend into any office and not be mistaken for the executive assistant of a mafia don.
“Yashimoto-san,” I say as I stand and stretch out my hand to shake hands with him. He takes my hand; shakes it then gives a small bow. I return the gesture.
“Nico, good to see you. But at this short notice and at this time of the day?” I take in his attire. Brown suit with pin stripe, black shirt. Gold Rolex. Smart but not over bearing. His loafers probably cost more than some apartments in New York City.
“We apologize for the inconvenience, however the business need is urgent. Please, take a seat. Can Veronica get you anything to drink? Or eat?”
“No, thank you, Nico. I have just had a coffee. Water will be fine.” I gesture for him to take a seat in the leather chair opposite to my chair with the desk between us.
“Please meet Tony again and this here is my youngest brother, Dario.”
Yashimoto-san nods at them both but makes no move to shake hands with them. As far as he is concerned, he is only here to meet with the leader of the Santangelo family.
Me.