Chapter 21 Puppet Master
“You really think keeping Kieran in place is a good idea?”
I pace the space behind my desk, pretending I wasn’t asked such a stupid question. “No, but I’m not ready to play the next card yet, are you?”
She snorts. “Fuck no.”
“Then, yes. As much as your brother is a fuck up, he is effective. The gang might not have gone for his plan, but the seed has been planted in their head.”
There’s only so much instruction I can give the boy. He is the one running the day-to-day operations of the organization. As much as it grates, I cannot be in full control there. Because of what we have set out to do, I need to stay out of that side of things as much as possible.
The call with the west side gang might not have gone to plan, but they have an offer to consider now…and if they know what’s good for them, they’ll make the right choice.
“Start putting pressure on the locals once more. It’s been too quiet, and after the failings of the former Fire Chief…I don’t want them getting suspicious, or thinking we’re backing off on them after the recent failings.”
“Any preferences on who we go after first? I need to give them something specific to look for, otherwise I’ll lose what advantage I have.”
I mull it over, considering the pros and cons carefully.
While the locals want to stop the Martellis and Amatos as much as we do, and have willingly cooperated with some…
incentive, Cecily is right in that if we’re not careful, we will lose their support.
Every day that passes without tangible progress is a hit to the validity of our campaign.
“Use the split against them. Roman Amato and Emilio O’Connel are playing a dangerous game, and this time, they have less resources to defend themselves with.
Check in with Kieran’s people, coordinate on what targets to go after, and don’t fuck this up.
Both you and your brother are running out of second chances. ”
“Yes, sir. It’ll get done.”
When she leaves, I drop down into my desk chair. Over and over again, I run everything that’s happened thus far through my head. Pinpointing where the fuck ups have happened, and how to move forward.
There’s only one viable conclusion, as much as it puts me in a bind. Once this is all over, the Martellis and Amatos will be nothing more than pages in the history books of the criminal world, but they won’t be the only casualties of this war.
Good thing I’m not sentimental, nor do I need my daughter’s permission to marry her off and secure my legacy.
One thing at a time, but eventually, the world will be as it is meant to be, with my rule becoming law.