Chapter 15
Playing Games
Oni
“You know, I didn’t get it at first. Ten cars in less than five minutes,” Aldo says as he drives me to the party, this time in a Rolls-Royce.
“I could have done better,” I mutter.
I’m in the back seat, changing my sneakers out for my heels. I’m annoyed because I should have done it in four minutes. There was a guy lurking around car number three. He threw off my timing. Angelo, one of Rico’s guys, was a bit slow too.
I’ll have to talk to Rico about that. This is all about timing. If you can’t keep up with me, you shouldn’t be on the team.
I could have done the job faster by myself. I mumble under my breath as I shove my sneakers and the cape into a bag. I smooth my hands over my gold dress and check to make sure everything is in place.
“This is the second time you’ve impressed me. With you on his side, I don’t think I stand a chance against Rico for don. He makes a fucking killer lieutenant, and he isn’t even made yet. I have so much to learn from him,” Aldo says in admiration.
“Are you thinking about challenging him for don?”
“If I said yes, would you shoot me in the back of the head now?” He chuckles.
“No. I’m just curious.”
“Nah, I’m not really interested in that. I’d be fine with a capo position or just being made. Uncle Emilio can be crazy demanding.
“I’ve seen him get mad when someone fails him. He’d probably stress me the fuck out before I could get anywhere near being don. Nah, Rico is made for this. I’ll have his back in any way I can though.”
“What about Eduardo?”
“Same. I think the only one thinking about challenging Rico is Fredo. Which is crazy because he doesn’t have the right temperament for any of it,” he replies.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You have to meet him and then you’ll get it. We’re here. Break a leg or whatever,” he says as we pull up in front of the estate.
The door is opened for me, and I step out. I feel a little weird arriving by myself. Fredrico said he’d stay within reach so I would see him once I arrived. I pull out my invitation as I get to the top of the steps, where the security guard is.
He looks me over hungrily and I have to force myself not to fidget. I lock down all my emotions and put on an expressionless mask. Thank God it only takes a few seconds for him to allow me to head inside.
I walk in and my mind is blown. This place is like a palace inside. I follow the red carpet that’s leading everyone to the party.
When I step into the ballroom, I see Fredrico Sr. with a drink in his hand as he speaks with two other men. One of the men looks in my direction and smiles before saying something to Fredrico, causing him to turn and look toward where I stand.
He smiles and places his drink down on a passing tray, then starts to walk toward me. I keep moving to close the gap between us. When he reaches me, he leans in to kiss both my cheeks.
“You did very well. You have passed one test tonight. Another awaits.”
“Huh?”
He looks over my shoulder, causing me to turn to see what he’s looking at. When I turn, Rico and Uncle Emilio come into view. There is also some chick standing with them, smiling into Rico’s face.
White-hot rage fills me when she places a hand on Rico’s chest and leans into his ear. He looks past her at me and silently tells me not to react. I collect my feelings and shove them into a tight box.
I turn my gaze to Emilio and he’s watching me closely. Ah, I get it. I roll my eyes and turn away from them.
“Why is he like this?”
Emilio has been a dick to me since the first time I met him. Okay, fine, I stole a car with his family’s drugs in it, but he still doesn’t know me or have to treat me like this. Fredrico gives me a smile and pats my arm.
“Showtime, bella. Don’t let him see you sweat. You are being tried. I believe you will rise to the occasion,” he whispers.
I feel Rico’s presence behind me before I turn. My stomach sours because I know that girl is going to be with him when I turn around. However, I’m not about to be punked.
I paste on a smile and flip my hair before I turn to face our new arrivals. Emilio looks me over with an amused smile on his lips. Fredrico places a hand on my back, drawing me closer to him.
“My little thief, you clean up nicely. I almost didn’t recognize you,” Emilio croons with a smug smile.
“It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Gallo,” I reply with a smile.
“I’m glad you’re here. I have someone you should meet. As Freddy’s assistant, you should know his son’s fiancée. Juliana, this is my brother’s new assistant for the summer. I’m sure you two will see each other around the house.”
His words are like a punch to the gut, but I don’t allow my smile to fall. I don’t even look at Rico. I turn to Juliana and hold out my hand. She takes my hand like it’s something filthy she doesn’t want to touch.
“Nice dress,” she says, but the words drip with mean-girl vibes.
“Thank you.” I turn to Fredrico, dismissing this skank. “Do you still want to introduce me to that real estate developer? We have that meeting with him on Tuesday.”
He gives me a smile. “Yes, I do want you to meet Jim. Thanks for reminding me.”
He holds his elbow out for me to take. I loop my arm through his and give a wave to Emilio before we step off, not sparing Rico a single glance. I can feel his eyes on me, but I refuse to acknowledge him.
“What the hell was that?” I ask when we’re out of earshot.
“My brother playing his games.”
“I hope that means you have another son.”
“No, bella. I only have the one.”
“Un-fucking-real.” I seethe.
“You handled that well. I’m proud of you. You did good, kid,” he replies and winks at me.
Rico
“Do you know why I’m so hard on you?” Uncle Emilio asks as we ride in the back of his car.
He demanded I ride with him so we could talk. This pissed me off because Juliana rode with Oni and Pop. This motherfucker had Pop offer Juliana the guesthouse on his property.
If he wouldn’t catch me in a lie, I would move back to my place. I’m still tempted to. If I didn’t know this was all part of his game, I would say fuck it and follow my first instinct.
This is the part of all this I hate. I want to be my own man, not someone’s puppet. I’m not marrying Juliana. I don’t give a fuck what he has to say.
“I have no idea. I think outside the box. I do everything you ask me to and then some. Behind my pop, I’m your highest earner,” I answer.
“Yes, this is why. Fredrico could have easily taken my spot if he wanted to. He’s not just feared, he’s loved. My birthright is the only reason I am Don and not him. You are so much like your father, and you will fill my shoes with ease.”
“But? I hear a but.”
“But you have yet to show a weakness, which tells me when you have one, it will be great. I will not hand you my position to hand you your death. I want to make you strong, impenetrable. Not just here.” He taps my head, then points to my chest.
“In here too. I’ve seen many men broken from the inside out. If you can break a man’s heart, you can break his mind.”
“So what are you saying? You want me to marry someone I don’t love so I can’t be broken?”
“This is not what I’m saying. The Abato family offers me an opportunity. A marriage between you and Juliana opens that door. I want their territory and contracts. It has little to do with you.” He shrugs.
“You don’t even trust them. Why would I marry her?”
“She’s a pretty girl. No?”
I frown. “Not to me.”
“Ah, no. You like the little mulignan. You think I don’t have eyes?”
My nostrils flare as I ball my fists. I won’t allow him to get a rise out of me. This is what he wants. I’m not going to play into his hands.
“Oni is one of my soldiers. That’s it. She earns, I collect.”
“Then Juliana shouldn’t be a problem. You will entertain her for the next four weeks. Keep her happy. Make it seem like you are interested,” he says slyly.
“Why should I bother? It’s not like I’m going to agree to marry her. You need to stop calling her my fiancée.”
“I don’t need to do anything. If I wanted you engaged to her, you would be. Do as I say, Rico.
“You might be my first choice, but you are not my only option. You should know by now it’s better to follow my lead than to think you know better than me. You have not gotten there yet,” he says coldly.
I frown and purse my lips. I hear the threat in his words for what it is. For now, I bite my tongue. My time will come.
“Rico, stop thinking about how to outsmart me and clean up your mess in New York. Remember, I have eyes and ears everywhere. If I have to clean this up for you, you will be looking at another two years before I open the books for you.”
I work my jaw. I thought I had my shit under lock. I’ve been dealing with things as they arise. It looks like I’m going to have to get a little more proactive.
“Yeah, I’ve got it,” I say as the car comes to a stop in front of Pop’s house.
I step out of the car and loosen my tie. Shrugging off my jacket, I toss it over my arm and jog into the house. I pull my phone and shoot off a text to Mario.
He needs to do me a favor. I also need to know where the bullshit is coming from. If I can’t handle a little problem, I’ll never be trusted with the shit I’m to move up to.
I’m not even thinking, I find myself walking right into Oni’s bedroom. As I get inside, I can hear the shower running. I sigh and toss my suit jacket over the back of the chair in the room.
Finishing with the buttons on my dress shirt, I then tug it from my pants. I kick off my shoes, then pad over to the bed to sit on the foot of it.
I’m not leaving here until we have a clear understanding of what’s going to happen around here for the next month. I know I’m asking a lot, but I need to play the game.
“Hello,” I say into my phone as Mario calls.
“I was hoping you would answer. Yeah, no problem. I can look after Oni. What do you need me to do?”
“I need you to act like she’s yours. Just until I can get that airhead out of here. I don’t want her to find out anything about her. My gut is telling me to be wary of her, not just my uncle.”
“You got it. I’ll handle it. You sure she’ll be okay with it?”
“I’m going to talk to her. It will be cool.”
“Anything else?”
“Uncle Emilio mentioned my mess in New York. What do you know?”
“Nothing has been reported to me, but I can make the trip to drop in and check things out. I’ll be back in the morning with a full report. Afternoon at the latest.”
“I knew I could count on you.”
“You can count on her too. She handled things like a pro. The deal is done on our end. Everything went smoothly. Like taking candy,” he croons.
“Perfect, take care of the team when you get back. I’ll set the next job up.”
The bathroom door opens right as I hang up. I drop the phone on the bed and sit staring at Oni, wrapped in a towel, as she mutters to herself. She doesn’t notice me right away, but when she does, the look on her face says a thousand words.