The Accardi Twins: A Mafia Romance Duet

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Joshua

“ G ia has raised valid points,” Massimo says at the next commission meeting, a few days after my ill-advised visit to her apartment.

“Valid points my team should have raised,” Ben adds, frowning. “I’ll have a conversation with Phillip.” Phillip has been Ben’s go-to IT guy for mafioso business for years, and he oversees the high-level specialist team at Caltimore Holdings. This team conducts top-secret research and information-gathering reports on behalf of all five families, when the need arises.

“Whoever is behind this is clearly way ahead of us,” Fiero says. Worry lines pucker his brow as he sighs.

“It’s hugely concerning we can’t find any trace.” Cristian props his elbows on the table. “How are we so in the dark with all the resources at our disposal?”

“That’s the million-dollar question.” I remove a piece of lint off the sleeve of my navy jacket.

“I say we grab McDermott and pull him in for questioning.” Caleb drums his fingers on the table. “We don’t need proof to know he’s involved. Let’s torture the prick and get some answers.”

“We need to give Gia more time,” Massimo says. “I am gravely concerned but not enough to burn bridges with our only ally. We can’t go after McDermott without compromising O’Hara and forcing his hand. Remember there are plenty loyal to his brother and plenty who would rather see Liam running the show. Let’s not play into their hands.”

“We can’t do fucking nothing!” Caleb snaps. “It’s been almost a month, and we are no wiser than we were the night our shipment was hijacked. We’re losing ground on the street, and foreign supply is flooding the market. We are losing control. We need less talk and more action.”

It’s a little worrying when my twin is the voice of reason around the table. “I agree with Caleb in relation to the street trade,” I say. “We need to drive the foreign supply out. I propose we send teams of soldati out onto the streets to take out the guys selling that shit. Make an example with a few dealers, which will send a clear message to the others. We follow that up with threats. They buy from us and only us or they’re next.”

“This is why I wanted to distance us from things at street level. This is a waste of our resources and a distraction.” Ben pours water into his glass as he speaks. “Maybe we need to discuss ending the street business permanently this time. Return to bringing product from Colombia solely for our private use, to supply our clubs and enterprises. Let the Irish handle the street business if they want it. They can clean up this mess.”

“Seems only fair when they started it,” Cristian concurs.

“Allegedly. We still have no proof,” Fiero says. “And I don’t agree with Don Mazzone. The street trade is very lucrative.”

“It’s less to do with money and more to do with control. Letting foreigners onto the streets sets a bad precedent,” Massimo says. “It’s why The Commission gave my wife control of all this when she first approached us years ago. If we let them have free rein, what’s to stop them coming after our other businesses? Or partnering with our enemies when they get greedy and decide they want it all?”

“It’s too risky.” I wet my lips. “What if it’s the Bratva? What if they’re behind this?” I ask, eyeballing the five men around the table. “Things have been acrimonious with them in the recent past, and we drove them out. What if they’ve regrouped and this is revenge?”

“We can’t rule anyone out, but our intel says they are preoccupied with things in Russia and across Europe. It seems unlikely,” Mazzone says.

“But not impossible.” Massimo leans forward, eyeballing each of us in turn. “I propose we implement Joshua’s suggestion to try to regain control of the streets. Caleb, can you handle that?”

My twin nods. He’s getting more hands-on, like we discussed, and this will suit him.

“Joshua, you stick with Gia. See what can be done to move that forward.”

“She’s cooking dinner for him at his place on Saturday. It’s the first time he’s invited her to his home. Hopefully, she might find something useful.” I work hard to keep a neutral expression on my face and not show my distaste.

“Good, let us know immediately if she finds any intel.”

“I think the rest of us should pay the other dons a visit,” Fiero suggests. “Let’s call it a pre-Thanksgiving catch-up. We’ll split the key states between us. Spend a day or two on the ground, talk to the soldati and the capos , see if there is any gossip at ground level that might be helpful.”

“You think the betrayal extends beyond the five families?” Cristian asks.

“Like I said, we can’t rule anything out. We may be enjoying unprecedented peace within all Italian American famiglie, but that doesn’t mean everyone is content. Power corrupts, and dons have been known to change their allegiances.” Massimo sits up straighter in his chair.

“Maybe we should accelerate the plans for adding more members to the board,” I say. “There is strength in numbers, and it would foster good will.”

The plan is to move from a six-person board to a ten-person representation. Four seats will be opened up to member dons outside of New York for the first time ever. We have discussed using a voting system, to try to keep it fair and unbiased, but the truth is we need to retain the right of veto because there are several dons we would not welcome onto the board, for various reasons, and we need to preserve the integrity of The Commission.

“We could end up voting a traitor onto the board,” Ben says. “I’d prefer we find the rat first.”

Fiero stretches his arms up over his head before lowering them back to his sides. “What if we used these impending visits to discuss our ideas for The Commission with the other dons? We don’t have to commit to anything, but it would give them a heads-up, they’ll feel included, and we’ll have an idea of which dons might apply.”

We all nod our agreement.

“Okay, that’s decided,” Massimo says. “Let’s wrap things up. We’ll meet again after Thanksgiving unless there’s a need to meet beforehand.”

“I don’t like it,” Caleb says thirty minutes later as we eat lunch with Cristian at one of our favorite restaurants in Manhattan. “I think the board is too complacent.”

“You mean Maltese, Mazzone, and Greco.” Cristian smothers his burger in ketchup before popping the bun back on.

“This entire situation reeks, and their lack of action could cost all of us.” Caleb bites a chunk of his burger.

“I don’t disagree, but I understand Massimo’s cautionary response. If we go after the Irish without O’Hara’s approval, we risk making an enemy of them, and it seems like we’ve got enough of those right now.” I cut my grilled chicken into even pieces before popping one in my mouth.

“Sometimes I wish it was the old days. When made men took action instead of fucking discussing every angle like damn politicians.” Caleb swigs from his beer. “The others have lost their appetite for violence. They’re too old and too set in their ways. They’re glorified businessmen, and that’s where their true interests lie.”

“We’re all businessmen these days because it’s the only way to survive. The RICO laws are no joke, and our contacts in authority can’t save us if there is evidence that can’t be disputed.” I pause eating to level my brother with a warning look. “That’s why we can’t run around the streets killing people.” I glance around and lower my voice. “Do what you must to send out a message, but you have to be discreet, Caleb. Stay under the radar.”

“I’m not an idiot. I just think Don Greco is making a mistake. You can send a clear message without conceding anything we’ve built or compromising our ally.”

“I agree. We seem to be ten paces behind, and I sense big trouble brewing.” Cristian dabs at the corner of his mouth with a napkin.

“You may get your war after all, brother,” I deadpan before popping another piece of chicken in my mouth.

We chat casually over the rest of lunch, and I’ve just paid the bill when I get a call from the guy shadowing Gia today. “Boss, we have a problem.”

I’m immediately on guard. “What’s wrong?”

“She’s at the Chelsea food market, and I’ve just spotted her talking with Elisa Salerno.”

I close my eyes for a brief second. What the fuck is Gia playing at? She knows it’s risky meeting anyone she knows in public. “Does Liam have anyone on her?”

“No, boss. She wasn’t followed.”

I find it strange Liam wouldn’t vet his potential girlfriend. Perhaps he’s satisfied with his background check and Gia is doing enough to convince him she’s trustworthy. Still, she can’t afford to take risks. “Okay, keep eyes on them. We’ll be there shortly.” I already know my brother will want to come with.

“What’s up?” Caleb asks, throwing an extra fifty down on the table for the waitress.

“Gia is with Elisa,” I explain as we exit the restaurant.

His face turns thunderous as he curses under his breath. “I’m coming with you.”

“I figured.”

“Good luck handling those two,” Cristian quips, saluting us before he walks off toward his office building.