Chapter 53 #2
None of that mattered. Only that we’d broken ‘the rules.’
As a result of our actions, Don Severino banished us from the Council. We were henceforth excluded from all decisions made by the other families of the Cosa Nostra and cut off from their support.
Both the Widow of Venice and the Oldani family of Genoa had joined us in solidarity. The Widow’s granddaughter was married to our brother Massimo, and Alessandra was the Oldanis’ long-lost relative.
As a result, there was now a fissure in the Cosa Nostra…
And Don Camerota was taking a cheap shot by bringing it up.
One might even call it ‘aggressively disrespectful.’
I looked over at Dario, waiting to follow his lead.
He didn’t disappoint.
“I would advise you never to let Maurizio step into Tuscany again,” my brother said coldly, “or I will take it as a personal insult.”
That was mafia-speak, understated as always. The translation:
If any of your men come into my territory again, you PERSONALLY are going to pay for it.
Or, as my sister-in-law Lucia might say, Fuck around and find out.
Don Camerota was silent for a couple of seconds. When he finally spoke, he was back to being civil. “Maurizio will never visit Tuscany again. You have my word.”
Don Camerota might have been an asshole, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew better than to pick a fight over such a trivial matter – especially one where his foot soldier had so obviously been in the wrong.
Maurizio had made Don Camerota look weak, like he couldn’t control his men.
The idiot was either going to be pistol-whipped or fitted for concrete shoes. It depended on how important he was to the organization and how pissed off his boss was.
From Don Camerota’s tone, I’d say Maurizio would be smart to catch the first flight to Thailand.
Or maybe Antarctica.
“Good,” Dario said in a clipped voice. “Then our business is concluded.”
“Agreed. Ciao,” Don Camerota replied, and hung up.
We all sat there in silence for a couple of seconds.
Then I said, with faux cheerfulness, “Well, that was exciting!”
“Fucking asshole,” Adriano snarled at the phone.
“I wouldn’t judge him too harshly,” I told Adriano. “After all, he just got butt-fucked on a conference call.”
“You’re going to let him get away with that ‘I won’t see you in Rome’ bullshit?” Adriano growled.
“I’m trying to delicately tell you not to go off half-cocked,” I said with a smile. “Thank you for your help, Giorgio. And now, everyone, if you’d give us the room, I’d like a private word with the Don.”
Adriano looked over at Dario for confirmation.
It annoyed me that Adriano still didn’t treat me as his immediate superior, which I was –
But I let it slide. Adriano was already riled up over the phone call, and I had no interest in getting into yet another pissing match with him over chain of command.
One fact was immutable, though: our oldest brother was the final word.
As soon as Dario nodded, Adriano got up to go.
Giorgio and Sofia stood and followed him out.
Once they were gone, Dario asked, “Well?”
“I think the matter is settled,” I replied.
“Of course, we should still keep an eye out… but I don’t see Don Camerota launching any reprisals over this.
It’s a single fucking foot soldier, and one who made him look bad.
In all likelihood, this Maurizio fellow is probably going to be dead by nightfall. ”
“That’s what I think,” Dario agreed. “Don Camerota is the kind of man who enjoys making an example to keep his underlings in line.”
“So, it’s agreed, then – I give the all clear? Bianca can go back to Florence?”
“Yes… but stress that Adriano should keep a guard around her at all times. Just in case.”
“Just in case,” I agreed, and got up to go deliver the news.
Dario remained seated.
I gestured towards the door. “Are you coming, or…?”
“I think I’ll stay here. I have some things to ponder.”
“Anything you need advice on?”
“Not yet.”
“Alright,” I agreed, and turned towards the door.
“Niccolo.”
I looked back at him. “Yes?”
“Have you made any headway with the drug suppliers?”
Oh.
That.
I gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Our contacts in the ‘Ndrangheta told me – quite politely, but very clearly – to go fuck myself. So I’m having to search a bit farther afield for new suppliers.”
The ‘Ndrangheta was an organized crime group originally from Calabria, the ‘toe’ of the boot of Italy.
They had spread internationally and gone full-bore into drug smuggling.
They were responsible for most of the drug trade throughout Europe, and even parts of the US and Canada not supplied by the Mexican cartels.
When we’d originally canceled our contract with them – on Dario’s orders – the ‘Ndrangheta had not been pleased. They weren’t looking to extend us any favors now.
“I see.” Dario gestured at the flip phone. “Any luck with Fausto’s moles?”
“Not yet.”
“Is it true what you told Adriano, then? It’s ancient history?”
I smiled tightly. “Well, you know what they say: the past is never dead. It isn’t even past.”
“Hm,” Dario grunted.
I left him staring out the window as I exited the room.