28. ~Nico~
28
~Nico~
“The goal is to crack Erebus’ system and access their communications network, as well as to locate their chief operational center,” I spoke as Caterina and Levi settled down to get to work on their end of things. The vital end of things at this juncture. “The place where Donahue is rooted, as verified by the research of Joe’s that I’ve reviewed.”
“It’s going to take time,” Caterina told me.
Levi nodded. “We’re dealing with multi-point security.”
“A brute-force hack isn’t a viable option,” Caterina added.
“Not an option, not possible, unless you’re down with waiting years,” Levi said, a glint in his eye.
“And you’re going to hit multiple servers at once, yes?” Milo asked them over his shoulder as he checked some of the cable connections.
He’d really been in the zone when it came to setting all of this up, ensuring there were backup protocols in place for every eventuality, shoring up everything.
“Correct,” Caterina confirmed.
“Cat, while you’re focused on this, I’ve got Camlann and I’m keeping an eye on any developments regarding your submission for the Brimbank Waterfront development,” Julian told her, munching on his favored Maltesers.
He’d been doing a lot of stress-eating over the last few days.
Part of it was him being on edge like we all were, because we were so close to the finish line, and we needed everything to line up now in our favor. But the other part was him trying to reconcile the Angelo of it all, that bastard finally being gone, him having confronted him. Right now, because of the tense state that everything was in, the Manor was locked down, so that was causing a delay to him resuming therapy.
Just a little longer.
“Thank you, baby,” Caterina told him.
Stover swept on into the room, pocketing his phone. “I have good news,” he reported.
“You did as I suggested and reached out to those contacts of yours?” I asked. Well, it hadn’t exactly been a suggestion.
“Yes. The threat of it getting out that a group like Erebus had been operating all this time worked to get their asses in gear and move them from their apathetic states. Especially when I was able to use the evidence that you and your people obtained from your recent takedowns proving that Erebus existed. The photographic evidence of their personnel, surveillance footage you gathered from around the city of their activities that had been caught on camera because they’d believed they were untouchable thanks to Leo and Angelo’s influence. They severely underestimated your power over them. Basically, once you locate the communications network, you’ll need to mine the data then send it along to said contacts. They’ll use it to expose Erebus to the world and every single member will be hunted to the ends of the earth. It won’t be put on you to track down and annihilate all operatives. I’ll lead the teams that they’ll be assigning to that task. As for locating Nathan at the chief operational hub, he’s fair game. He can be taken out. When it comes to the hundred or so Marchetti soldiers still following Leo, you’ll have to employ the same methods that you did with the Leones to get rid of them, as they’re not Erebus operatives. As for Leo himself, annihilate the bastard, and I’ll take care of the cleanup myself so it won’t come back on you, despite the personal connection he has to the lot of you, especially you, obviously, Nico.”
“Good,” I said, taking in his report. “Exactly what we need.”
“As you know, storming the Marchetti mansion to take out Leo, while he’s bolstered by his hundred Marchetti soldiers and a couple hundred of Erebus’ operatives isn’t feasible without mass casualties on your end, or without blowing the place off the map, which would land you all in hot water with arrests on the horizon.”
“Once we locate these key areas of Erebus’ and take action, it should draw them from the mansion. As you explained, it would be protocol for them to retreat to these chief locations under threat immediately,” I said.
“Correct. Their chief communications hub is the brain and the nerve center of their entire operation. Take that out and they’re floundering. Combine that with killing the big boss himself and they’re done for.”
“Then let’s get to work.” I laid my hand on Caterina’s shoulders from behind. “Anything you need as you go along, let us know, all right?”
She turned and brushed her lips over my cheek. “Will do.” She looked out at all three of us in turn. “Love you, my boys.”
“We love you .”
I eased back and turned to Stover. “Carlo and I have teams prepped to move as soon as we get these locations. I’m arranging a call that I need you on to discuss tactical approaches.”
“I’ll be there.”
“All right, let’s leave them be,” I said, gesturing at Caterina and Levi, who were already getting underway.
As we headed out, Julian pulling out his phone and getting down to the business end of things for Camlann Corporation and Carver Group, Stover headed down to the gym to resume keeping his skills sharp , and I went for the patio, craving a smoke.
“Nico, hold up,” Milo’s voice sounded behind me just as I’d made it out to the patio.
I turned as I fired up a smoke and took my first soothing drag. “Everything okay?”
He shifted his weight uneasily, then sucked in a breath. “I want the role, Nico.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded firmly. “I want to become Underboss. Work alongside you in an official capacity finally, do this thing together, be at your side all the fucking way.”
I laid my free hand on his shoulder. “You always have been, brother.”
“Right back at you. You’re the one who got us through all of this all these years, too.”
“Let’s call it a team effort.” I stepped back and took another drag. “You’re sure you want this, though? This is your chance to walk away from that side of things. You’ll still be here with us, but you have the option of keeping out of the mafioso politics and business of it all.”
“Nah. I want to stay in. Besides, things will be different once you take power. We’ll have control that was always denied us before. No more compromising. No more oppression. It’ll be a new day. I want to be a part of you bringing that about.”
I held out my hand, and we shook firmly. “I can’t wait.”
“Me neither.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I stepped back as I pulled it out and eyed the call display.
Rocco.
I took the call. “You’ve got me. What’s going on?”
“Just wanted to let you know that Carlo Benzino and Remo Caruso are here. Figured you’d want us to show them on through right away. He’s just parking his sweet-ass Ferrari now. They’ll be at the doors any moment.”
“Thanks. I’ll see to them.”
There was no more secrecy needed regarding my alliance with the Benzinos, so them showing up here wasn’t a security concern for them.
Although it did concern me as to why they were here right now.
Had something happened on their end of things? Had there been an attack?
No. That couldn’t be possible. I had eyes everywhere at this stage. There wasn’t one single thing that happened in the city concerning our families without me knowing about it.
“Carlo and Remo are here,” I told Milo.
He frowned. “What for? Did something happen?”
“We’re about to find out.”
I stared out at Carlo and Remo, the two of them sitting in the chairs opposite my large leather one on the other side of my desk in my home office.
Carlo’s perfectly tailored pinstripe suit stretched as he rested his arm along the back of Remo’s chair and stroked the shoulder of his maroon bomber jacket, then walked his fingers up his neck to his beanie covering his head.
He clearly really had to be touching him right now. In any way possible.
I wasn’t surprised, given the news they’d just imparted to us.
I eyed Milo who was standing beside my chair and we exchanged a grin, a whole lot of relief passing between us too that the news they’d come to tell us was actually something positive and uplifting, something to be celebrated, rather than an emergency or a report of hell raining down upon us.
The two of them were getting married.
“Those snakes of the Marchettis and Leones would never hesitate to use what we love against us. Best not to give them ammunition.”
That was what Carlo had told Caterina and me when he’d revealed the truth of his relationship with Remo to us.
He’d been right about it.
And, as such, he’d had to live a lie for years on end.
The two of them had needed to hide what they truly meant to one another. They’d been unable to live their lives as they saw fit, to live their truths.
But things were different now.
Soon, that would be solidified.
And that was when they were planning to reveal their relationship in the most definitive and undeniable way. Not by easing into it, but by throwing a big wedding, the likes of which I doubted the city had actually ever seen before.
“Congratulations,” I told them both.
“Vi auguriamo tanto amore e felicità,” Milo said, earning a smile from them.
“Thank you,” Carlo said. He leaned forward in his chair. “Now, I did intend to come here to relay this news in person and to invite you personally. However, I do also have another reason for coming by.”
“An ulterior motive already?” Milo said with humor. “I thought this new alliance was above such things?”
“It is,” Carlo said, with a whisper of a smile, recognizing the good humor and the dig at the ridiculous former Marchetti-Leone alliance between two utter madmen. “I definitely wouldn’t refer to it as having an ulterior motive, either.”
“A dual purpose,” Remo offered up.
Carlo’s eyes lit up. “Perfect, my love. Well done.”
I leaned back against my chair, folding my hands on my lap. “What can I do for you?”
“In the spirit of our alliance, I came to you first. Rumor has it that Julian is intending to put Nocturne on the market. We’d like to purchase it and move into businesses of that nature going forward.” He linked hands with Remo. “We are fans of such establishments and now we can actually enjoy that in the open without any issues. However, Nocturne is on your territory. That’s why we’ve come to you first. I’m also prepared to offer something in exchange. A seventy percent stake in our Zenith Grand Casino.”
Interesting.
When Caterina had been looking into Carlo during the time where we’d been unsure of his true motives and if he could be trusted as an ally, she’d gotten a look at his books in the process of that investigation. As a result, I knew exactly how profitable both their casinos were, what a lucrative investment this would actually be. He was being very generous. Largely because of territory concerns, something that had been a very touchy subject under the previous rule of Santino and Marco.
I didn’t want that to be the case here.
Whenever there was fear or needing to tread so carefully, issues would arise and people didn’t act or respond in the best of ways.
Besides, our alliance was nothing like what had come before.
There was mutual respect, and we’d also been fostering a friendship.
“I don’t have territory concerns when it comes to the Benzinos,” I told him outright. “But I am interested in this proposal. How about we both buy out Julian, split it down the middle, and I take a smaller stake in the casino?”
“You’re telling me that you don’t need a gesture of good faith?”
“Pretty much.”
“Well, I’m happy to hear it.”
“Our bond is solid, Carlo. And unlike my predecessors, I don’t play games with those I respect and admire. There’ll be no mask from me. What you see is what you’ll get. And so long as we remain transparent with each other, we’ll do well down the road.”
“I wholeheartedly agree, Nico.” He leaned forward in his chair and held out his hand. “And I accept your revised proposal.”
“Pending Julian’s agreement, of course,” Milo cut in.
“Of course,” Carlo said.
I was sure Julian would be in agreement.
He’d already mentioned wanted to sell Nocturne . With everything that had happened, things had changed for him and that life had been part of that change. He didn’t want that anymore.
“Julian will insist on Nocturne needing to remain above board if he’s to sell to us, though,” I warned Carlo.
“I’d already anticipated that after his past experience with being used by your father and Leo.”
“This is actually part of our plans to move toward greater legitimacy,” Remo informed us. “We’re aiming for eighty percent of our business and holdings to be fully legitimate within the next few years.”
“Another vision we share,” I told them.
“Very good,” Carlo uttered heartily.
“While you’re here, you’ll be the first to hear the good news.” I gestured at Milo standing beside my desk, his arms folded across his chest, his big biceps bulging and a whole lot of ink on display with him just wearing his white tank. “Milo has accepted the role of Underboss of the Marchetti Syndicate.”
“Perfect,” Remo said, eyeing him. “I’ve got a bunch of tips I’ll pass onto you, if you’re interested.”
“I’m always looking to learn what I can. Anything to assist Nico.”
“Amazing answer,” Carlo said with a chuckle. “Congratulations, Milo. You’ve long deserved such a role.” He looked to me. “Just like you finally taking up the mantle.”
“Just that son of a bitch, Leo, to remove,” Remo muttered. “And his foolish remaining few.”
“And Erebus. Speaking of, we might as well strategize our tactical assaults while we’re all here. I can call in my Capos if you like. Rocco is already here on your end. Is Tony nearby? Cassio?”
“Tony’s coming back from transporting our product to Harlow. Cassio is overseeing a Flower Market delivery.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
I rose from behind my desk and asked Milo, “Bring Cassio, Rocco, and Tony in. I’ll retrieve Stover.” I eyed Carlo. “He knows more about how these bastards operate that all of us combined.”
“Agreed. His input will be valuable. But, Nico, although I am grateful to him for helping to bring us together, keep in mind that he is an extreme puppet master. He’s been working alone for so long that a team dynamic is very much a foreign concept to him.”
“I’m aware. Don’t worry, he’s being monitored.”
More than he realized.
As I headed on out of my office to retrieve Stover, anticipation thrummed through me.
All of this, the equipment arriving earlier, Carlo and Remo showing up here tonight with their news, the business they’d wanted to discuss… it was all emphasizing just how close we were to achieving what had seemed near-impossible only months ago.
We were right on the verge.
And then the time would be ours.
Fucking finally.