"Maybe the request was harsh, Dom, but I had to make certain you'd be here. We're running out of time."
"Of course I'd be here. By the way, you look like shit."
He snorted and reached for the glass, clasping his fingers together then trying again. "I'm getting too old for this shit, Dom."
"You're not old, Pops."
"Look at me. This business is killing me." He took a swig, finally locking eyes. "The way the shit is going down, there are some things you need to know. I've already heard from Aleksandr Petrov. You know the Russians. They don't like being played for a fool. Philadelphia is far too close."
"I don't like to hear that tone from you."
"Times have changed, Dominick. They're going to change again. I received word that the board of supervisors has put a hold on our development deal. Dead in the water at this point."
I wasn't shocked at the news. That would have been the first thing on the agenda for the meeting. "We can handle that as necessary."
He smiled. "You were never an optimist, son. Why now? Is that girl of yours changing you?"
I couldn't help but snicker. "Maybe. She's..."
Reaching over, he patted my hand. "I'm glad for you, son. I really am." I could see a switch of gears in his mind. "Did you know my marriage with your mother was arranged?"
"I had no idea." The old Italian ways. I wasn't going to argue that Drummand hadn't given his blessing for Caroline's upcoming nuptials.
"Sometimes the best. You do fall in love eventually."
This was totally out of character for him. "We need to strike hard regarding Drummand, send a warning shot across the bow before there's bloodshed."
"And you know we can't do that, Dom. They don't have shit on us and you know that. We need to stay the course, at least for the most part."
"But?"
Giordano rubbed his jaw. "But they need a huge score and they've been itching to make an example out of the Lugiano family for years. They'll find a way and you're right, we'll get through it. We always do."
"Okay, what else is on your mind? You don't usually have a heart to heart with me."
"You're right, but as I said, times have changed. Margaret has been located. I have certain trusted individuals on their way to Canada and no, I'm not going to give you all the details just yet. I have a few details to check."
"Jesus. Do you think Drummand has any idea?"
"Possibly. I think his press conference today indicates that he's willing to allow all his secrets out on the table. He's either a fool or brilliant and the last one bothers me. She's being brought to a safe house. Then you and I can make some difficult decisions. Don't spout this off to Caroline before it happens." The same haunting look flashed in his eyes.
"You loved her."
"Margaret?" He brought the glass to his mouth and I could swear there were tears in his eyes. "I cared for her deeply, yes, but as I said, I never touched her, but we had amazing conversations, thoughts and dreams for the future. Trust me, I wanted to sweep her off her lovely feet, but she was spoken for. Scruples, you know. Rare these days."
"Drummand knew."
His laugh was hollow. "Drummand is an idiot."
"Who did you have to protect her from?"
My father finished off his drink, holding the smooth liquid in his mouth before swallowing. "Pure evil."
His stark words created a sharp pain in my gut. I leaned further over, trying not to overreact. "What aren't you telling me? This drug lord. Do you know who he is?"
"I have a feeling there was never anyone muscling in, Dominick, just rumors to force careless behavior."
Slamming my hand on the table, I jumped to a standing position, pacing back and forth. "And I fell into the bullshit." Lorenzo's thoughts were beginning to make more sense.
"Take it easy, Dom. All the information pointed to Caribbean muscle coming through Miami."
"A fact, Pops, that you didn't tell me. This means the Garcia family was placed smack in the middle of this."
"I just learned this bit of information this afternoon, but remember, all this is hearsay at this point."
He made this sound casual, as if no big deal. I thought about contacting Miguel Garcia. If anyone was shifting drugs through Miami onto another destination, he would have to know. However, if I did, this would certainly portray another weakness within the organization. I couldn't afford this risk any more than the others. Fuck. This was ridiculous.
"There is much more to this, Dominick."
"What the hell else could there be? We have the Feds ready to make indictments, a shipment of high dollar Ecstasy going nowhere and a ghost haunting our every move." I laughed, rubbing my eyes as a headache set in.
"I also have reason to believe that Carmine Francesco could be working with the Feds."
"What. The. Fuck? Why would you think that?"
"I have my reasons." He shook his head, darkness falling over his eyes.
"Wait a minute. I thought you two were friends." I couldn't imagine Carmine trying anything so bold. There would be blood raining down for weeks and Carmine knew that. "What in the hell is really going on here?"