Chapter 73 Preparation
Dakota's P.O.V.
After the barbecue, everyone left, and Sarah, Noah, Luka, and I met in my office. It was Grandpa Chrissy's, and I still refer to it as his, but I use it now. It makes me feel closer to him. Tyler plans to be stateside in about a week and will be here for a while, so we hope to make progress on Grandpa's murder.
"Has anyone found anything?" I ask while opening my laptop.
"We already know it was Galdino, so why are we wasting time looking at anyone else? Let's just go after him and end it." Luka says, sitting across from me.
"We don't know that it was him, and I refuse to go after anyone until I have proof. We don't need to start a war while the real culprit is sitting on the sidelines eating popcorn, waiting for us to kill each other." Sarah nods in agreement.
"Yes, that's the last thing we want. The Italians may have been Grandpa's biggest rival, but they're not the only ones. Are you still going to the benefit tomorrow?" Sarah asks me.
"Yes. I'm a little nervous going alone, but I think I'll be fine." There's a yearly benefit where the heads of the families get together to donate money to a charity. The charity is for the NYPD. I know it's crazy, but it's the one night the police leave the families alone, and the families don't try to kill each other.
The Buccheri family is hosting this year, so I know Galdino will be there. I hope to speak with him while we're on common ground. I haven't said anything to the others, but I'm suspicious that Grandpa Chrissy and Grandpa Sandy were both murdered in an attempt to make the two families start a war. I know Galdino can't stand our family, so I'm hesitant to meet him alone. However, this may be my only chance to get answers.
"I could go with you," Luka says. I love him like a brother, but he doesn't know how to play it cool. He would fly off the handle and cause us more trouble.
"Thanks, but I think I should do this alone. Noah, have you had any luck finding any cameras from back then? I know it's been over four years, but I was hoping something was hidden on a server somewhere." He looks up at me briefly from where he’s sitting on the couch with his laptop.
"Nothing yet, but I'm still looking. People often forget to delete old images from their security cameras if they aren't set to erase them automatically. There's just a lot to go through. Are you taking any weapons with you?" He doesn't look up from his screen as his fingers fly across the keyboard.
"I'm taking a knife that I'll have attached to my thigh. You know I don't mess with guns. I'm better with the hands-on stuff." The dress I plan to wear is too revealing to hide a gun. I'm not one who usually flaunts what I have, but tomorrow I hope to use my body to my advantage. Men seem to get loose-lipped when they think they have a chance with a woman. Sarah knows what I'm wearing, and her response was: ‘If you got it, flaunt it.’ I love her.
"If you change your mind, you know where I am. I have something to do. I'll talk to you guys later." Luka gets up and leaves without another word.
Something is going on with him, but he won't say what, no matter how hard I try to get it out of him. He doesn't seem as invested in this as the rest of us, but that's okay. I don't want anyone helping who doesn't want to, even if I don't understand why.
"He needs to get laid," Sarah says. I burst out laughing, and Noah's face turned bright red.
"I can't believe you said that," I say as I continue laughing. She shrugs and looks back at her laptop.
"It's true. He must be sexually frustrated." She's not the sweet, shy little girl she was when we first met. Did I rub off on her too much? No, that's impossible.
"So, are you hoping to meet anyone while you're at the benefit? You know, like a man, you can do more than sit around and plot revenge with. No offense, Noah." Poor guy, his face is so red.
"Just pretend I'm not here. That's what I'm doing." I try not to laugh when Sarah winks at me.
"I'm only going there for business, not pleasure. I have no interest in men." Sarah tilts her head to the side and looks at me.
"I didn't think you were a lesbian, but is that why you have no interest in men?" Noah stands up.
"I'm going to my room. I'll let you know if I find anything." He practically runs out of the office. Sarah and I laugh as soon as he's gone.
"I was wondering how far I could go before he ran away. In all seriousness, why won't you at least try to have a little fun and meet a man? Even if it's just a fling," she says.
"You do realize this is a benefit filled with other mafia families. Do you think it's wise for me to get involved with someone from another family?" I raise my eyebrows at her, and she smiles.
"Well, you already know the business and what to expect. What could it hurt? You could be like Bonnie and Clyde, only classier." I shake my head and sigh. Most women my age have had at least one relationship, but not me. I have been hyper-focused on the family business and revenge. I don't need anyone coming around to muddy the waters. Sarah is giving me her best puppy dog eyes, and I groan.
"Fine. I promise to talk to at least one man while I'm there." She giggles and jumps up to hug me. It's not a lie. I do plan on talking to Galdino. She doesn't have to know who I plan to talk to or why.
We chat for a few more minutes and then go to our rooms. I want to get a good night's sleep before tomorrow's benefit. If Galdino talks to me tomorrow, I hope to get some answers.