12
Creating plans
I F my father was angry, my uncle was even angrier.
I once read in an article about the mafia that what characterized it was not its will to get rich from drugs, human trafficking, or arms dealing. Nor was it gambling, extortions, kidnappings, or the fraudulent awarding of government-dependent businesses. What really distinguished a mafia from any other criminal organization was its intention to supplant the state, to corrupt it, and to give orders.
In my family, we were experts. We had created our own state, with very personal rules and regulations. We were accustomed to dealing with other mafias with whom we shared territory.
In Italy, for example, the 'Ndrangheta dominated Calabria; Cosa Nostra, Sicily; Camorra, Naples, and Sacra Corona Unita owned the region of Apulia, or what amounts to the heel of the boot that made up our country.
Sacra Corona Unita didn’t grow with drug trafficking; it was born with it, and the Montardi were the main representatives. The family that settled in the same neighborhood where Uncle Giuliano had his residence. At first, they were just another family spending their summers there, until they decided to move in permanently and give my uncle more headaches than he should have.
It was said that the four Italian mafias were among the most violent, however, the Calabrian mafia had gained several points for its "extreme ferocity."
The motto of the 'Ndrangheta was: "Do not fight anyone unless you plan to kill them."
If there was something that differentiated us from the highly hierarchical and vertical Cosa Nostra, it was that we operated horizontally, or in other words, a clan of clans. We helped each other, supported each other, and that was why Don Giuliano and my father worked side by side when things got tough.
Calabria was structured like a Gruyère cheese; it was the region of the world with the most underground bunkers on the planet. Many leaders of other groups, dedicated to crime, had relied on Don Giuliano’s hospitality to hide in my uncle’s region. This way, he managed to owe him more than one favor.
If we wanted to take down Cheng, we would need an extensive network that covered the entire territory and thus encircle his school of fish. From there, we would exterminate them without mercy.
In the video conference we were holding, my uncle suggested delivering a decisive blow to the Chinese distribution and a frontal attack on their most profitable businesses.
A red night in which the Costa del Sol would be stained with blood. For this, we needed multiple forces, in addition to knowing when the next shipment of the drug distributed by the Asians for export to Europe would arrive.
"I'm going to send you one of my best men, I had to take him out of Calabria for a while because he had the CNI sniffing his tail. He's Spanish, his name is álvaro San Juan, and if anything characterizes him, it’s his ability to infiltrate any type of organization and attack from within."
"Isn't that the one who killed one of the Montardi's sons a few months ago? The one who drove a stake through him and buried him in lime while he was still alive?" Aleksa asked, intrigued. My uncle smiled. That news had spread like wildfire. The boy in question had attacked my little cousin one night when he was drunk, so my uncle didn't hesitate to send a strong message to the family.
"The same."
"I've heard great things about him," my man praised.
"No wonder. As I promised, I'll send him to help you coordinate the operation, assess how many men will be needed for the 'red night', and if necessary, to infiltrate." No one spoke when Don Giuliano did. "By the way, Massimo, I remind you that my grandson's baptism is approaching, I know the situation is complex, but..."
"I will send Juliet in representation of our family," my father concluded decisively.
"Alone?" I interjected, with no real desire to send my sister, even if she was surrounded by family.
"Son, I know you're not going through a good time because of what happened to Nikita, but the world doesn't end with a kidnapping. Your wife is fine and your sister will travel with bodyguards. We will increase her protection to the maximum and, so she doesn't go alone, we can ask Irisha if she'd like to accompany her. I'm sure your sister-in-law won't mind spending a few days in Calabria with her new best friend."
When my father made a decision, no one could refuse, not even me. My sister wouldn't be thrilled to attend, even if she brought Irisha along. However, my sister-in-law could act as a shield against Salvatore.
The baptism was for Don Giuliano's first grandchild, the son of my cousin Piero, the middle child.
Nonna furrowed her brow because she couldn't understand why Salvatore, who was the eldest and heir, was still single and uncommitted, while his brother, two years younger, was married, with a three-month-old child and another on the way.
"The bastard," as I called him internally, had no recognized partner, he didn’t need one, since he had a multitude of lovers who pined to catch the eldest son of the Vitale.
"It's fine that Juliet comes accompanied, both will be welcomed," concluded my uncle. "Aside from the baptism and getting back to our previous conversation, we need a tip-off about when they expect the delivery, knowing this and the location as soon as possible is essential for everything to go well."
"I'll handle it," I agreed.
"Perfect, I've always liked your readiness, Romeo. I hope that when we talk next time, we have everything I've asked for."
"Don't worry, Giuliano, we'll have it," my father affirmed.
The meeting ended and we went outside, where the women and my son, who had just gotten out of school, were waiting.
Adriano had approached Nikita and I was pleased to see them talking.
It was nice to see them so calm.
The boy, although he initially had many objections to our marriage, did not take my wife's sudden disappearance well. We tried to soften the blow by masking the reality. A kidnapping is not something easy to take when you are young.
We explained that Nikita had gone to visit some relatives, we were as convincing as one must be with a child, but Adriano had never been a normal child. He remained suspicious. He asked if we had fought or even if we were going to divorce. I told him no, that I was telling him the truth, and three days later he came to me, with a sullen face, to tell me he already knew what was happening.
Thanks to his eavesdropping behind doors, he found the real reason for my wife's disappearance and was very angry about the deceit.
Those were murky days, in which his nighttime nightmares returned stronger than ever. This, added to the fact that at school they had mixed the children with those from other classes and that Adriano was unlucky not to be with his friends, plus the fact that I had not been up to his needs, had disturbed him quite a bit.
Ana María approached with a round of drinks and a copious appetizer.
I went up to my wife, who lifted her chin as soon as she saw me appear. Her lips curved into a fleeting smile.
"How was the meeting?"
"As well as expected. I'll update you later." Nikita nodded.
"Dad, you know what?" Adriano asked with enthusiasm. It had been days since I'd seen him this upbeat.
"What?"
"This afternoon we're going to get another dog with Nikita," Adriano announced. I blinked, not understanding.
"Another dog?"
"Adriano has told me how upset he's been about what happened and thought of a solution to make us feel safer. A companion for Brutus, trained to protect." I rubbed the back of my neck.
"I don't know if such a dog would be good, considering there's a child living in this house and your allergy."
"Dad, those dogs don't attack family, they follow commands. I've watched a lot of documentaries and Nikita says that with antihistamines, and as long as they stay in the garden most of the time, she'll be fine."
"I'm not questioning that; I know your favorite thing to watch is animal documentaries."
"If you want, we can all go together, get it explained properly, and judge on the spot."
"Please, daddy, say yes." For once they agreed on something, and my son seemed excited, I wasn't going to argue.
"Okay, but I'm not promising we'll take one. I have to be very sure before bringing such an animal home."
Adriano hugged my legs and I lifted him into my arms for a spin, which he celebrated. I didn't miss the look from my sister, who smiled pleased and nodded towards Nikita, muttering a "well done."
"Julieta, darling," my father interrupted. "How would you and Irisha like to go to Italy for a few days, all expenses paid?" My sister-in-law's enthusiasm was immediate.
"Italy? Oh, yes! I've never been, I'd love to go with Julieta! They say the landscapes, the shops, and the food are wonderful," she cheered, grabbing her friend's hands.
"Isn't it dangerous, Massimo?" That was Jelena, who placed a hand on his arm, causing my wife to frown. I had also noticed the closeness between my father and my mother-in-law.
"I wouldn't put our daughters in danger. They'll be well escorted, plus, they'll be staying at my brother's house, there's no safer place in all of Calabria." She nodded in agreement.
"To Don Giuliano's house?!" my sister exclaimed.
"It's the baptism of Piero's son soon, someone has to go. Your brother and I can't, we have too much to sort out." She bit her lower lip. "Any problems?"
"I have a lot of work at the nail salon and Nikita needs to recover, she'll need help with Adriano..."
"It's only a few days. If you're busy at the salon, put someone in charge, and don't worry about your sister-in-law, she's strong as an oak, plus, there's Ana María if she needs someone to rely on."
My sister looked at me pleadingly. I would have intervened gladly if I didn't know it was a losing battle.
Julieta sighed resignedly.
"Alright, when are we leaving? Just so I can prepare myself and get everything sorted."
"The day after tomorrow, so you'll be fresh for Saturday, and I'll have time to choose the men who will accompany you. Now, let's toast to my daughter-in-law's return and to the glory of our family." We all grabbed our drinks. "Soon we'll rearrange the pieces on the board. To the Capulets and the Korolevas! Salute !"
" Salute !" we responded, hoping he was right.