Silver Fox Kingpin

2 Dominic

Istare at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the cufflinks on my tailored suit and combing my fingers through my hair. Tonight’s the night. Everything needs to be perfect. Half of New York’s elite will be in my home this evening, but they don’t know what tonight is really for.

It’s not just a party, it’s a message to the Callero family. Every detail, every person invited, is part of a much bigger game, and most of them aren’t even aware.

The silk feels smooth under my fingers as I fasten the last button on my tuxedo shirt, and I take a step back to admire the fit. The black fabric of my jacket stands in sharp contrast to my olive skin. I look sharp, powerful, even a bit predatory. Authority radiates from the cut of the tuxedo, the fabric hanging off my frame perfectly.

I’m not the kind of man who needs to shout to be heard. My presence speaks for itself.

I move to the window and glance out over the sprawling estate. The staff has been hard at work all week setting up the tables and chairs, the decorations, and the bar. The final touches are being put on now, as they fiddle with the centerpieces, check that all the hanging lights are working, and the crystal glasses are polished to perfection for the guests. Events like this demand the greatest attention to detail. If there’s one smudge on a glass, one flower drooping, someone will notice. I don’t pay my staff for mediocrity, I expect perfection.

The sun begins to set, casting a golden glow across the lawn. It’s almost time.

Gio appears behind me, silent as a shadow. I see his reflection in the window, his face pinched with concern, though that’s nothing new. He’s always in a state. He worries like it’s his job.

“Everything ready?” I ask, still watching the staff make their final preparations outside.

Gio clears his throat, his hesitation hanging in the air between us. I can feel it even without turning around. I sigh and roll my eyes, anticipating the words I know he’s going to say. He’s been silently second-guessing me since the moment I told him my plan for tonight.

“Almost, boss,” he says, his voice low. “But there’s something I need to ask.”

I finally turn, raising an eyebrow. Gio never asks. He suggests, he advises. Sometimes he even manipulates. But he isn’t one to ask me anything.

“Go ahead,” I say, gesturing that the floor is his.

He steps forward, the lines on his face deepening. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to invite the Calleros tonight? It isn’t too late to take back the invitation.”

The question doesn’t surprise me, nor does the worry in his voice. I cross my arms and lean against the edge of my desk, watching him carefully.

“Yes, I’m sure,” I reply calmly.

I fiddle with my cufflink once more, not looking at him while he considers his response. When I look up, he shakes his head slightly, the tension in his posture evident.

“Dominic, I don’t like it. There are rumors—”

“There are always rumors,” I cut him off, but he presses on, his eyes hardening.

“Rumors that they’re plotting against us. The Calleros want Long Island, and they don’t like the fact that we’ve been working with the Hernandez family. They think we’ve gone soft by doing business with the Mexicans.”

I give a short laugh, though there’s no humor in it. “The Calleros don’t like many things, Gio. But the Fiore family has been running operations here long before they crawled out of whatever gutter they came from. They can be unhappy all they want, but it won’t change my mind. They’re coming to the party tonight and that’s final.”

Gio shifts his weight, clearly not satisfied with my answer. “Dominic, it’s dangerous. Bringing them here, into your home, on a night like this…”

I uncross my arms and push away from the desk, closing the distance between us. My voice drops, low and deliberate. “Keep your friends close, Gio, and your enemies closer. You know this better than anyone. If they are plotting against me, this is the perfect opportunity for me to find out. Remember, we have the home court advantage here. I have my eyes and ears all over this compound.”

“I know,” Gio says, his voice quiet, almost resigned. “But these aren’t just any enemies. Georgio Callero…” He hesitates, carefully considering his words. “He’s ambitious. Reckless. He’s not like his father. Tommy’s no better. They’re both young, hungry, and they don’t respect tradition. They want everything we have, and they’re willing to take it by force if necessary.”

I turn back to the window, watching as the sunlight fades, casting shadows across the estate. “Which is exactly why we need to keep our eyes on them tonight. Besides, if I didn’t invite them, they would see it as a slight. We don’t want to create any unnecessary drama when they’re already on edge.”

Gio exhales slowly, clearly still not convinced. It’s been like this for months now with him. We’ve been having issues with the Callero family for years, but recently the two youngest brothers have been trained to take over the family empire. Georgio and Tommy are young upstarts, and it’s true that they don’t respect tradition. They want to run their family’s operation like a corporation and take power by any means possible.

The thing about young upstarts who don’t respect tradition is that they quickly find out that their attitude won’t be tolerated by the old families. They have to be sent a message that we run this town, and we always will. They can either fall in line and accept the reality, or they will suffer the consequences.

“I don’t trust them, Dom,” Gio goes on, and I can’t help but roll my eyes. It’s nothing he hasn’t been telling me for weeks. “They want Long Island, and they’re going to make a move soon. That deal your father made with the Hernandez family is the only thing keeping the peace. The Calleros think it’s weak, that working with the Mexicans was a mistake.”

“They’re wrong.” My voice is hard, final. I won’t let them undo what my father built. The deal he brokered with the Hernandez family has kept this city in balance for twenty years. Fiore and Hernandez, working together, controlling our respective territories in harmony. It’s unprecedented peace, and I’m not about to let the Calleros shatter it because of their arrogance.

Gio’s eyes are on me, waiting for me to say more. I finally turn to face him fully, my tone softening slightly. “I know you’re worried. But tonight, we’re in control. This is my house, my party, my rules. We’ll watch Georgio and Tommy closely. If they’re planning anything, we’ll know.”

Gio rubs a hand over his face, but he nods. “Fine, boss. If that’s what you think is best, I trust you. But we can’t be too careful.”

“I’ll be keeping my eyes on them from the moment they come in until the moment they’re gone. Nothing they do is going to get past us tonight.”

There’s a brief silence, and I know Gio wants to say more, but he holds back. His loyalty is unwavering, and I trust him with my life. If anyone can keep an eye on the Calleros, it’s Gio.

“Was there something else?” I ask, bracing myself for more of his unsolicited thoughts on the matter.

Gio shakes his head. “No, that’s it for now. I’ll make sure the boys know to keep an eye on them.”

I nod, and he turns to leave, but just before he reaches the door, I stop him. “Gio.”

He looks back, raising an eyebrow.

I give him a small smile, the tension in the room easing just a little. “Check on the caterer, would you? I haven’t had Antonio’s pastries in years, and I’ve ordered them special for tonight. Give him whatever he needs.”

Gio laughs, the sound gruff but genuine. “You and those damn pastries. I’ll make sure they’re front and center.”

“Good. Now go.”

He nods and slips out of the room, leaving me alone again. I turn back to the window, my thoughts spinning.

The Calleros are a problem, no doubt about it. Georgio and Tommy have been stirring up trouble for months now, pushing our boundaries, testing our strength. But they’re young, reckless, and thoughtless. They think they can outmaneuver me, but they’re playing checkers while I’m playing chess. I’m a thousand steps ahead at all times.

My father taught me everything I know. He built this empire from nothing, and I’ll be damned if I let two punks like Georgio and Tommy tear it down. The deal with the Hernandez family is solid. We’ve kept this city in check for two decades, and the Calleros won’t be the ones to change that, even if they want to die trying.

Gio’s right about one thing, though. We can’t afford to be careless or to let our guard down. Tonight’s party will be a show of strength and power, and the Calleros will be here to see it all up close. They’ll smile, they’ll drink, they’ll eat Antonio’s pastries, but beneath it all, they’ll know who’s really in charge.

I walk back over to my desk and pick up the picture that’s been sitting there since my father died and left the family to me. It’s an old photo of Antonio and me as kids. We were just two wild boys then, with no clue of what the world had prepared for us. Antonio always wanted to make things with his hands, but even as a child I knew that I wouldn’t have much choice in what I’d be when I grew up.

I was born to run this organization. It was my birthright and my responsibility. While Antonio had the luxury to dream of what he wanted to be and take the time to master his craft, all I could ever be was the head of the Fiore family. I don’t regret anything about my childhood, though. I don’t resent my father for teaching me the ways of the business, or for grooming me to be his successor. This is the way of the family, and family is everything.

But Antonio was always like a brother to me. If I couldn’t pursue any professional dreams of my own, at least I got to watch him succeed. I

It’s been months since I’ve even gotten to see my old friend. I’ve missed him and his pastries. I’m so glad he agreed to do this party. It’ll definitely be a highlight of what will otherwise be a very coordinated message to the Calleros.

I glance at the clock. It’s almost time to go down. The guests will start arriving any moment, and the night will begin.