Chapter 20 | Michael
Michael
The next few days moved quickly as I worked to ensure all of my clubs had heightened security and my men understood the gravity of what lay before us.
On Friday, I texted the number labeled in my phone as “BC” which stood for “bad cop.” It was a running inside joke I had with Leo Stabler, an FBI agent who was deeply infiltrated in the mob.
It was widely known that he’d worked with Victor Rossi, but what many didn’t know was that he also informed to me.
MC: Meet me on the beach at Fort Tilden in an hour.
BC: This might surprise you, but I actually have shit to do today.
MC: One hour. Don’t be late.
BC: Fuck you. See you then.
I smirked, acknowledging how much I liked Leo.
In truth, he wasn’t a bad cop at all. His father had been a Brooklyn cop that many in the mafia respected.
He’d never actively gone after the families, and had always turned a blind eye if needed.
But if a heinous act was committed—involving women or children especially—Anthony Stabler had brought the full force of the NYPD, no matter which family was involved.
It had been a natural progression for Leo to move to the FBI after his first few years in the NYPD. Drug and human trafficking had continued to surge, and Leo felt the FBI was the best place to fight the corruption.
He’d infiltrated the Rossi family years ago, and I’d taken an interest after I aligned with Sal DeLorenzo in Boston and assumed power over the East Coast ports. I’d worked hard to gain Leo’s trust, and assured him that our interests aligned. We both wanted human trafficking eliminated.
Leo also wanted drug trafficking eradicated, and although I shared that vision, human trafficking was my first and most important goal.
I disliked the ravages that drugs had on society, but in my mind, trafficking of young women was my first priority.
I’d been in the game long enough to understand that you had more power if you narrowed your focus.
My driver pulled up to the secluded Fort Tilton beach, and I exited the car, telling my men to remain at the top of the stairs and stay alert.
I headed down the overgrown wooden stairs to the beach below, walking close to the concrete wall that had been built against the cliff so I didn’t get sand in my dress shoes.
Leo marched down the stairs a few minutes later, his ever-present scowl on his face. When he stood before me, he removed his sunglasses. Disdain at being summoned simmered in his deep blue eyes.
“What’s up?” he asked, arching a brow.
“I assume you know that I married Bianca Rossi, and she’s given me her public support. Alexis is in a safehouse in Long Island with Nick.”
“John Armetta put a hit out on her. He wants her alive and unharmed, but he wants her.”
Sighing, I nodded. “I know. He’s a distant cousin of Victor’s, and since Victor left no heir, John wants the mantle. I tried to talk reason into him, but he’s dead set on assuming what’s left of the Rossi empire and trying to rebuild it.”
“Yes, he’s been quite adamant from what I’ve observed,” Leo said, a gentle reminder that he worked for Victor, which meant he now worked for John.
“Does anyone suspect you’re working with me?”
Leo rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t think so, but I’m being extra fucking cautious. John wants me to turn over info about the Eastern European ring that scheduled shipments with Victor. We have that info at the FBI—well, some of it. So, I’m valuable to him—for now.”
“Give him enough that he’s placated but still has to chase the contacts down. I need time.”
“Of course,” Leo said with a nod. “What’s your plan?”
“John and the Rossi loyalists are now banned from receiving any shipments on any East Coast port, but...”
Leo’s eyebrows lifted as curiosity covered his features.
“He’s talking to Marco Nunez.”
“Jesus,” Leo said, harshly rubbing his forehead. “The last thing we need is that guy in the tri-state area. The Southeast FBI field office deals with Marco, and I’d rather it remain that way. That guy is bad news.”
“It’s going to get messy, Leo,” I said, frustrated at the hard work ahead, but knowing it would be worth it. “If Nunez tries to infiltrate our area, I’ll take him on too.”
Leo flashed a sardonic grin. “You’re fifty years old with a new wife. Maybe you could take a break from building your empire to, I don’t know, take a fucking vacation. Do you really want to do this, Michael?”
“I’m only forty-seven, thank you very much,” I said, scowling. “And I don’t have a choice. Do you want the trafficking to continue? This is our chance to stop it. Otherwise, I’ll look complacent.”
“You’re right. It’s best to end it now, even if it’s going to lead to some pain along the way.” He glanced out at the ocean before facing me again. “Do you still want me to inform through Katia? I don’t want to put her in any danger.”
“Yes, informing through her is easiest since we can’t chance being seen together. It’s well-known that she offers private dances in the back rooms of the Gilded Cage for a hefty price. No one knows that’s a ruse and you’re the only recipient of those dances.”
Something briefly crossed Leo’s face; a look of...yearning or wistfulness, perhaps, but it was gone before I could decipher it.
“Yes, those ‘dances’ are all business,” he said, making quotation marks with his fingers. “I feel bad having her keep up the ruse that she still dances, but it’s the best way for me to get info to you.”
“She doesn’t mind,” I said, my eyebrows narrowing. “Katia is a confident woman, and respects all our dancers. They’re there by choice, unlike many of Victor’s dancers who were trafficked.”
“I know,” he said, nodding. “And what does your wife say about your mistress? Will they be having tea together on Sundays?”
My lips curved as a slow recognition set in. Did Leo have a thing for Katia? I’d never even contemplated it, but he was single and I’d never seen him with a woman. Was he carrying a torch for her?
“We haven’t been together like that for a few years,” I said, tilting my head. “But I didn’t realize you’d noticed—”
“I didn’t notice,” he said flatly. “I just respect her, okay? She’s a good person.”
“She is, and I’m committed to my wife.”
Leo’s features drew together. “You’re telling me you have feelings for Victor’s widow? I mean, Bianca is gorgeous. That’s indisputable. But you’re technically enemies.”
“Not anymore.” I shook my head. “And we have a history that few know about. I’ve known Bianca for a very long time, and yes, I care for her deeply. And now, I’ll ask you to keep that information to yourself and stay the fuck out of my personal life.”
“Fine with me,” he said, his tone annoyed.
“And Katia isn’t seeing anyone right now, in case you were wondering.”
“Nope. Just wanted to make sure she was okay. I’ll head into the club and schedule a dance with her when I have any updates for you.”
“Work fast. I’m basically keeping Bianca prisoner at my house, and Alexis is sequestered in a hidden location too. I want to absorb Victor’s business as soon as possible so we can try to find some semblance of normal.”
Leo’s eyes narrowed. “Do you order Bianca around like that too? I can’t see her taking kindly to it. By the way, she figured out a long time ago that I inform to you. She’s smarter than Victor ever gave her credit for.”
“I’ve been...chastised a few times,” I said, smiling wryly. “Apparently, I have a lot to learn about being a husband.”
“Better you than me, man,” Leo said, grinning. “Text me on the burner if you need me. I’ll be in touch through Katia.”
He retreated up the stairs, and I watched his broad shoulders, still absorbing the fact that he obviously had some complicated feelings for Katia. Filing that away, I glanced at the time before heading to the club to interview the last of Katia’s security candidates.