CHAPTER EIGHT
“Irene, that was a step you shouldn’t have taken,” said Ghost, shaking his head. Gaspar was so angry he was willing himself to keep his mouth shut before he said something he couldn’t take back.
“I want y’all to listen to me. That woman is in charge. Not her sons, not her nephews. I’ve known she was in the area for a while now, hearing complaints from some of the church ladies about her, listening to how businesses were shut down by her. I figured sooner or later we’d get our chance to step in, and we did.”
“You and Pops knew about all this?” frowned Gaspar.
“We didn’t know about the mortgages, but we knew about the other things. We’ve been watching her closely. She’s been insertin’ herself into New Orleans society for a few years now. Most of the folks we know didn’t get a good feeling from her and spoke to Matthew and me.”
“Mama, she’s probably got the money to pay off her mortgage,” said Alec.
“She might. Although she was milking her own mortgage for all it’s worth. When you own the bank, you don’t always make your payments on time. She ain’t made a payment in a year. She’ll have to come up with a whole lot of money at this point,” chuckled Irene.
“So, we own the land where their houses were located, you own the mortgage company that the liens were held in, and now the Rizzoli family is about to be evicted from their home if they don’t pay everything they owe. Is that right?”
“That’s right,” nodded Irene. “There will be no casino in that part of town. We don’t need it, and the people don’t want it. Now you know that Marie Rizzoli is the one in charge here in New Orleans. She’s not the head of the overall family. That one you’ll have to figure out. But you do have another issue to tackle.”
“Wonderful,” muttered Gaspar.
“You know, son, you would think that you’d be all in on this one. If it weren’t for what you have, your family, you’d be sittin’ in that Sugar Lodge like the others. Them folks out there worked their entire lives just to have a home, a roof over their heads, and a quiet space to live out their days. That shouldn’t be the exception. It should be the rule!” she said, shaking her fist in the air.
“Mama…”
“I’m tired. I’m tired of old folks bein’ treated like they no longer matter. Not being given the care they need, the medicine, and food. Most of those folks couldn’t afford fresh vegetables and fruit. Somethin’ so simple, we take it for granted. What if that was me and your daddy? What would you all be doin’?”
“We’d fight, Mama Irene,” said Nine, nodding at her. “You’re right. We’re all senior citizens, and there, but for the grace of God, go us. What they’ve done to these people is horrible. They’ve lost their homes. Now, we’re going to rebuild the homes for them, but the memories are gone. Some of their personal possessions are gone. It’s wrong. All of it is wrong. We’re just worried about Marie Rizzoli coming after you.”
“Oh, my sweet boy, people have been coming after me for years, and y’all didn’t even know about it. Not everyone likes me. I know that’s hard to believe,” she smirked, “but I have angered my share of folks over the years. This one just feels personal.”
Gaspar looked at the others, then back at his mother. He stood, hugging her tightly to his chest as each of his brothers did the same. Then, his teammates came forward to hug her.
“I’m sorry, Mama,” said Gaspar. “I should have known you’d have a reason for this. But do me a favor. Don’t leave the property without a few of the boys.”
“I know, I know,” she nodded. “I don’t wanna check out just yet. I’ll be careful. Now, it’s y’all’s turn. You gotta figure out a way to get them out of New Orleans, or somethin’ bad is gonna happen. I can just feel it.”
Irene turned, starting to walk away from the boys. Turning back, her eyes were filled with tears which nearly gutted every man standing there.
“I love you boys with all my heart and soul. I would do anything to protect you. Anything. But unlike that woman, I won’t hurt others. Do what’s right. You always do.”
They could barely breathe, watching the old woman walk away. They understood why she’d done what she did, but it didn’t make it any easier. She’d declared war on a major crime family.
“I always loved your mam,” smirked Seamus.
“That’s because she’s not your mam,” mocked Gabe.
“Oh, but she’s a lot like my grandma,” smiled the man. “I miss her every day, and I know me dad does as well.”
“We’d love to see him,” said Gaspar.
“That’s good to know. He’ll be comin’ over soon enough. He says fightin’ the Rizzolis will take more than your Cajun luck and good looks.” The Irishman winked at them and left with Scarlutti walking out with him.
“What now?” asked Miller.
“I think we need to find out who is the head of the whole family or corporation or whatever this is and schedule a meeting. We don’t want them here, and if we have to, we’ll fight this war on our turf. Or theirs.”