Chapter 5 Teo #2
As I stepped into the family room, I heard the low murmur of my sister’s voice. Gianni was seated at the head of the table, leaning in, listening closely. His expression was serious as he focused on what Sophia was saying.
“Look,” she said, sliding the tablet in front of him.
“Your entertainment expenses for your casinos uptown have doubled over the last six months.” Her fingers pointed out different numbers and graphs on her iPad.
“If you drop the contract with Gangly Security and bring in your own internal crew. Maybe a few foot soldiers who’s ready for a promotion, then you can cut your cost by nearly half.
Right now, you are shelling out too much money.
That’s why you aren’t seeing the returns. Numbers don’t lie, Gianni.”
His head dipped in a nod as he considered her suggestions. “You’re right. Gangly was supposed to improve my bottom line. Not cost me more.”
“Exactly. And, if you move those profits from the casinos and funnel them through your construction accounts, you’re looking at a lot fewer questions from the IRS, too.”
Gianni’s eyes sparkled. “You’ve thought of everything, huh?” He tapped his index finger against his lower lip pondering the advice she’d just given him.
“She always does,” I said, slipping back into the room, taking my seat next to my sister.
And she smiled, then whispered. “Did you get everything straightened out?”
I knew she was referring to Ayanna’s phone call.
“Yeah, she is mad, but nothing I can’t handle.” I told her, ready to move on so I could go lay eyes on my angry fiancé’.
“She cussed you out, didn’t she?” Sophia smirked, knowing that Ayanna didn’t put up with nobody’s shit. Not even mine.
I couldn’t help the grin that covered my face because I loved that feisty shit. “Nah, but she tried, though.” I chuckled making Sophia join in on the laughter.
“That woman is going to give you hell.”
“I know.”
My smile had to be devilish because Sophia groaned and followed it with a playful shove. “Oh my God.” Her head shook in amusement.
She knew Ayanna well, even if they weren’t as close as she and I.
Their age differences kept them out of the same circles, but it didn’t stop them from having a mutual respect for one another.
Sophia was extremely fond of Ayanna, respected her as a businesswoman and couldn’t wait to have her here on a regular basis.
When Sophia saw Ayanna’s name flash across the screen, she quickly assured me that she would keep Gianni occupied until I returned. Now that I was back, I was just ready to get this information from the Vitale’s so I could leave.
“Damn, nigga, it’s been a minute.” Tommy eased into the room wiping his hand with a napkin, a grin spreading across his face. “I see you’re still wreaking havoc in these streets.” Tommy slapped my hand, pulling me in for a quick hug and I chuckled.
“Gotta keep’em in line. Let up for a second and muthafuckas start thinking they run something.
“Exactly,” Tommy laughed, nodding in agreement until his expression shifted to business. “Left the keys to your package with Rocco. Car’s parked in the usual spot.”
“Preciate it.”
“Handle that how you see fit.” He clapped my shoulder, turning to speak to the room. “Alright, I’m out. I’ll holla at you later.” He nodded to his brother before his gaze swept to Sophia. “Always a pleasure, sweetheart.”
My sister, ever the charmer, gave him a warm smile and waved as he left passing Isabella on her way in.
“Isa.” He greeted, pulling her into a quick embrace and planting a light kiss on her cheek.
“Uncle Tommy.” Isabella’s smile was flawlessly practiced. “You’re leaving?”
“Yeah, gotta swing by the new construction site uptown. Someone has to make sure those permits get fast-tracked properly. I’ll see you later.”
Without a second thought Tommy was out of the room leaving Isabella’s smile faltering for just a second. She recovered quickly before her eyes shifted to her father. “The uptown site? I didn’t realize there were issues with the permits.”
“We’ll talk about that later, bambina. Come sit.” He motioned toward the empty seat next to him, and she quickly schooled her features, taking the seat.
“So... What did I miss?” Isabella asked casually and Sophia looked my way, silently asking if I was ready to begin.
After nodding my approval, Sophia barely missed a beat as she pulled up some information on the screen in front of her and slid the tablet in front of me. I stared at a social media page of a nigga Ayanna used to deal with a few years ago.
“Do you remember him?” Sophia asked.
I studied the photo for a second. “Yeah, Roland Harrison. He and Yanna had a brief thing a few years back. He was a mid-level dealer back then. What does he have to do with the kidnapping attempt?”
Both Sophia’s and Isabella eyes drifted over to Gianni waiting for a response.
“He hired your kidnapper.” He answered simply.
I felt the muscles in my jaw tick regretting the day I let this dude even breathe the same air as my girl.
And then let him live to ever think he could lay a finger on her at any point in his life.
Back then, I’d been trying not to involve myself too much in Yanna’s relationships.
As long as he wasn’t putting her life in danger.
I kept my distance. But the minute he did.
.. I made it clear he was supposed to stay far away from her.
I guess a collapsed lung wasn’t enough of a warning for him back then.
“Hmm... And how did you come by this information?” I nodded toward the open screen.
“Couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Drunk ass was running his mouth to the wrong people.
” Gianni’s lips turned into a smile. “Was in one of the spots where Tommy collects, bragging about a snatch and grab that was gonna fuck up everybody’s money across the entire East Coast, then open up opportunities for niggas like him.
Kept talking about how all these New York niggas would see, once the South take over. ”
“And Tommy didn’t appreciate that, did he?” I smirked, already knowing how he would have reacted to some Georgia nigga talking about taking over New York.
“Hell, nah. You know Tommy wasted no time reminding him exactly where he was. By the time he had him hemmed up, the young buck slipped and dropped your girl’s name like he didn’t know who’s city he was in. Boasted about how he was untouchable, had real backing from people with serious reach.”
“Wait... so, he was bragging about this?” Isabella’s eyebrows lifted slightly, shaking her head.
“Yeah, assumed he was protected. In the Bronx,” he snorted at the absurdity.
Protection wasn’t given to outsiders.
“By who?” I asked, my face scrunching up into a frown.
“Good question”
“But, that’s good. Right? Him running his mouth in our boroughs?” Isabella looked over to her father. “If we can find out who he was meeting, then maybe you can figure out why a small time Georgia dealer has loose lips in the BX.”
“That’s already taken care of. He was coppin’ from Wes from south Bronx.
The kid was here buying product... and we’re talking premium shit.
You know Wes’s crew don’t typically waste time with small-time dealers like Roland.
It’s why there’s something to what he’s saying.
How does he get on with anyone we didn’t approve.
” Gianni leaned back, his tone turning serious.
“It’s one of two things. Either this youngster came into some serious cash, or somebody with deep pockets is pulling the strings.
And his loose lips are just the tip of the iceberg.
” Gianni paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
“I think you may be right,” Sophia cut in, looking up from her tablet, “I found something... interesting. Take a look at this.”
I took the iPad and began swiping through the photos, and the posts on his social media platform.
It all seems like normal shit; clubs, parties, and occasional tropical trips overseas with women.
But I stopped when I saw a photo of him with Orlando’s wife and a middle-aged woman, and a guy closer to my father’s age.
They all shared similar features, the same round eyes, and tawny skin.
“He knows Bianca Whitman?” I looked up at my sister then back down at the people on the device. Focusing my attention on the woman standing next to a woman who looked way too familiar. “Find out who all these people are and how they are connected.”
“On top of it,” Sophia pulled the tablet back, and flipped it to a different screen, revealing a map. “Also, while you were off talking to Yanna. I took the liberty of looking at all of Roland’s known contacts, including one Andre “Dre” Bingham... your middleman.”
She slipped the device back to me and a light skinned dude stared back at me.
“And no longer a problem.” My sister confidently stated. “Your brother-in-law is quite effective. Keep swiping.”
I flicked to the next photo to Andre’s body slumped over in a warehouse. The next image showed documents scattered across a table, and the final photo was a close-up of Andre’s phone showing a text message between him and Roland.
“Bash doesn’t leave loose ends,” I said, sliding the device back to her.
“Yeah, I know. And this is what’s so concerning. He coordinated the timing, location, payment... everything. But the money didn’t come directly from Roland. This transfer came from an unknown source. I can find out, just need more time to trace the transaction.”
Isabella leaned forward slightly, her interest suddenly piqued. “I can handle the financial tracing if you want. I’ve got connections with some of the offshore banks. That might speed things up.”
“Nah. Sophia’s got it handled.” I shut that down immediately. “If she needs your contacts, she’ll ask,” I told her flatly.
Isabella’s smile didn’t fade, but something flickered behind her eyes. “Of course. Just thought I could help move things along faster.”
“Well,” Gianni said, leaning back. “I’ve given you everything I know and delivered you the key piece of the puzzle. Roland’s in Tommy’s trunk outside whenever you’re ready for him. Consider this a gift.”
I stood, extending my hand to Gianni. “Appreciate this.”
Isabella rose as well, running her hand down the length of her tennis skirt.
“Teo, before you head back to Atlanta...” She paused, her tone carefully casual.
“I know you said Sophia’s handling the financial tracing, but if you need someone on the ground there to coordinate with your people, I could—”
“I’m good,” I cut her off. “Got everything I need.” I told her as I headed for the door.
She nodded, but I caught the way her jaw tightened slightly. Isabella was looking for reasons to attach herself to me in anyway, and that was a complication I didn’t want or need.
“Rocco will stay with you Soph, I’ll hit you tomorrow.”
With that I left to get some answers, only Roland’s punk ass could answer.