Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
A Peace Offering
Uri
“To what do I owe this visit, mate?” I ask as Sam Mairettie appears in my club.
I sit back in my private booth and spread my arms across the back of the plush booth seat. I came down to the main floor to monitor a situation that got my attention from upstairs. Once the wanker saw me enter the main floor, he and his mates left my establishment.
I decided to sit for a bit and let my presence be known. I wasn’t expecting to see this guy walk into my club. He’s actually the last face I expected to see.
I’ve been keeping my distance from the Locatelli family since I was denied the right to hush Leonardo Trovati. I have nothing else to say to them. I’m not into underworld politics.
I don’t have it in me to play nice with everyone. Especially when I’m the only one required to make concessions. However, he has come all this way, so I will listen at least.
He lifts his hand and beckons one of his men forward. Being a capo looks good on him. I see before me more than the pompous, wet behind the ears, entitled boy who tried to establish his rank when I first met him.
This man standing in my club tonight might earn my full respect someday. His reputation has paved the way so far. However, it will be his character that seals the deal with me.
“I come with a gift from me to you. You might want to open it under a little privacy,” he says as his guy holds up a gold case.
I tilt my head to the side curiously. I’ve heard about LaSalle and his golden gift boxes. I too, have an affinity for the flair of sending such gifts. If I’m right, his words of warning hold validity.
“Come, we will go up to my office. We will have privacy there. Choose only one of your men to follow. You will both be disarmed before we reach the office suite. Choose wisely,” I say and stand, buttoning my suit jacket.
To my surprise, he takes the gold case and gestures with his head for his man to leave. He then follows me, leaving both men who arrived with him behind. Ballsy, I’ll give him that.
That or he doesn’t have the proper amount of fear toward me. I get the feeling it might be a bit of both, given those I’ve heard he keeps company with. Sam Mairettie and I keep some of the same company if you look in from a distance. Or should I say LaSalle Locatelli?
I get the feeling that’s who I’m dealing with tonight. We make our way into my office, and I offer him a seat. He moves to the sitting area and sits on the couch, placing the case down on the table.
I move to the bar and go to pour myself a drink. I’m in a scotch sort of mood. I pour two fingers and turn to hold the bottle up in offering.
He shrugs. “Why not?”
I grab another glass and the bottle then head over to join him. I pour him a drink and sit back with mine. I eye the case out the corner of my eye suspiciously but make no rush to reach for it.
“What is this about, LaSalle?” I ask as I glare at him.
“May I?” He points at the bottle for another drink.
“Drink up. I assume you’ve come as a friend. Drink like one, mate.”
“I have come as a friend. A friend who you can feel welcome to call on. I brought you something I believe you were on your way to collect.”
Now my curiosity is piqued. I reach for the case and turn it to me. The craftsmanship of the gold case-like box is stunning.
I open it and the scent of rotting flesh burns my nose. A glance into the box reveals two severed hands. The ring on the left hand grabs my attention.
Another on the right confirms my suspicions. I close the case and purse my lips. I guess I won’t be going to Connecticut.
“What do you want in return?”
“I ask for nothing. You had a problem. As a friend, I solved it.
“You called me, LaSalle. Just so you understand, I’ve come as a Locatelli. We want you to know you have friends within our family. Times are changing and the right friends are good to have.”
“Does this change involve an affirmative on my request?”
“If you have time, I would like to tell you all about the benefits of your friendship with me. Things will be different. I’m looking for a few who would like to share the world with me.
“I’m not after Italy. I want it all. For men like us, no should never be the response you receive. I understand why it was what you were met with. Doesn’t mean I agree,” he says.
“So you would have given me the green light?”
“You would have a seat at the table. You wouldn’t have had to ask.”
Michael
I stand between the hidden panel to Uri’s office and the door to the exit, my hands dripping in blood. Rage and anger are seething within me.
“Thank you for hearing me out. I look forward to our future if you decide the Alliance is for you,” the man in Uri’s office says as Uri claps him on the back.
“You have given me much to consider. Only time will tell from here,” Uri responds.
“Yes, that it will.”
“I will see you again, LaSalle.”
I lift a brow. LaSalle Locatelli is a name that rings bells, but much like Uri, he is an enigma. I can’t help wondering what all of that was about.
“Come out. My phone has been buzzing incessantly. Tell me what has happened,” Uri calls once LaSalle is gone.
I slide the panel back and step forward. Uri’s eyes go wide. I must look a sight.
“Fucking Christ. What in the bloody hell? Tell me none of that is your blood.”
“No, none of it is mine, but a lot of it belongs to the don. Leonardo Trovati sent men to ambush us at the meeting at Don Alessio’s restaurant,” I say in explanation.
It was after hours, but our men were there. The old bastard took a bullet before I could get him covered. He’s one strong son of a bitch.
“Fucking hell. I grow tired of this.” He swallows hard. “Trovati?”
“I got him out of there and he’s going to survive. However, we both lost men. That bastard Leonardo lost more.”
“Did you recognize any of them? Can we use this against him this time?”
“No, once again, not Italians. He has managed to cover his tracks again. My concern at the moment is Salvatore. He didn’t warn me this time.”
“Fuck,” he growls and pulls a hand down his face. “That can only mean he has been caught, or he will be soon.”
Those are exactly my thoughts. I came here to inform Uri of the situation and see how he wants to handle it. Salvatore has been loyal. If we can extract him, I want to do so.
“If we’re going to get him out, it has to be done as soon as possible,” my brother says as if reading my mind.
“He can come with me back to Italy. London isn’t safe for Don Trovati.”
I am also putting Uri at risk while I stay here. The two of us have been in the same place for too long. I need to be where I’m not seen.
“I’ve taken on too much power. I’m beginning to draw notice. This is what Don Trovati wanted to meet about,” I say to Uri.
“This is true. I am aware that Leonardo knows this as well. My name has been circulating more as of late.
“Talk is that I have muscled my way into the Trovati family since I have no chance at taking over my own,” he scoffs.
“Will this alliance change anything for me or Symphony?”
I gesture with my head for the door LaSalle Locatelli left through. Uri places his hands on his hips. I can see the wheels turning in his head.
“Brilliant. That’s bloody brilliant,” he murmurs to himself. Then he looks to me. “It just might. If, which is one big fucking if, I decide to join them, it will be because of you and Sim.”
“I think you should do it. We’re going to need their power. I can do this.
“I can bring her home, but it would be a lot easier with the power he just offered. It would stop Leonardo in his tracks as well. No more outside help.”
Uri moves closer to me and cups the sides of my face. He then kisses my forehead before looking me in the eyes.
“Done.”