Chapter Thirty-Three
(Dante)
Enzo and Stefano Lombardi walked into Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, in the heart of South Philadelphia in Bella Vista. They walked confidently, their posture relaxed.
Dante, ever the shadow, had arrived back in Philly that morning and was circling the block as he made his way to the back alley to wait out of sight. Just in case.
Dante parked the commercial plumber’s van across the street from the back-alley entrance of Luigi’s.
He climbed into the back of the van, where a small surveillance setup and a stash of weapons were concealed.
Dante pulled up the security feed for the restaurant and shook his head in disgust at their use of Bluetooth, though it made his job much easier, and he turned on the audio for Stefano’s microphone.
The hostess guided Enzo and Stefano to a corner booth where three men were already waiting. Vincent Donatelli, head of the Donatelli crime family, stood up; his expression open and warm.
Vincent was a large, stout man, with beefy hands and thinning, sandy brown hair.
A heavy gold cross and chain hung prominently over his silk shirt, and his right fingers twitched as if to play with a cigar that was no longer there.
He greeted his cousins with a series of kisses and hugs as he ushered Enzo and Stefano to sit, introducing them to his companions.
“My security.” He shrugged. “Marnie doesn’t let me go anywhere alone now.” He muttered. “You remember what that’s like.” He nodded to Stefano.
Stefano nodded solemnly. “We’ll toast to your safety when they bring the drinks out.”
Vincent turned to Enzo, giving him a knowing once over.
“You were just a baby when your Pops went away.” He muttered.
“Of course, I stepped up to protect the peace in his absence, but I’ll be honest. I didn’t anticipate the headache most of it would be.
The world is full of idiots, you know that?
” Vincent grumbled, reaching for a breadstick as the freshly baked bread arrived on the table.
“They have the best marinara sauce here.” He added.
“But if Marnie ever hears I said that, I will deny it to the grave.”
Enzo grinned. “Cousin Marnie makes a mean sauce.”
Vincent nodded emphatically. “Of course. And it’s the best, unless it’s Luigi’s.” He gave a shrug. “I only tell the truth. What can I say?”
Stefano looked over the drinks menu. “Cesare regrets that he can’t make it.
He wanted you to know he returned to Philly from out of state, specifically to make yesterday's meeting, but then he got married instead.” Stefano gave a wry grin.
“I think you can imagine the hell he’d hear for the rest of his life if his bride woke up alone. ”
“Hmm. I did hear. I send my best wishes to your father and to young Cesare, both. Cesare told me you could be trusted to relay anything urgent until he’s able to meet with me face to face.” Vincent responded casually.
Stefano and Enzo both nodded seriously.
“I have a letter for you to give to your brother.” Vincent’s demeanor became far more serious, and his eyes darkened as he fixed his gaze on them both. “This letter is for Cesare alone.”
Enzo nodded. “We’ll see that he gets it.”
Stefano eyed their cousin for a moment, then leaned forward, his glasses glinting from the movement under the table light.
“We don’t see each other as often as we would like.
And I speak for all the Lombardi family when I say, we appreciate everything you do.
Pops wasn’t himself when he came home, and when we lost Ma. ..”
Stefano cleared his throat, looking briefly at Enzo, whose gaze was fixed on the table below them. Stefano looked back at Vincent. “Pops himself said you were the man for the job. Any distance from our family to yours has been out of respect. You have our full support.”
Vincent nodded, eyeing both the brothers before giving a strained smile.
“I knew this. But it is good to hear, nonetheless. Please. Relax, order whatever you want on me, and reiterate to Cesare that he has my congratulations. He should be home with his new wife. He and I will meet when it’s fitting. ”
Dante, listening to everything through the audio equipment, relaxed slightly in his seat and sent a message to Cesare.
Dante: All clear for now.
Cesare: Good. Let me know when everyone is out.
Dante: Will do.