Chapter 8 #2
“Axl, just so you know after I got off the phone with you last night, I had my people run surveillance on Giovanni’s estate and there have been no movement at all.
No one has come or left the place.” Luca informs as the servers placed our plates of pork loins with a white wine and pesto sauce in front of us.
Luna told me earlier what she would be serving and just hearing what she was preparing had my mouth watering.
The aroma of the dish made me want to cut into the loin and savor the flavors.
Taking my attention from the delicious looking meal before me, I turn to Felix and Marco. “Can you two do some digging to see where he might be up to, I don’t want any surprises.”
Felix smiles. “With pleasure.”
“Not a problem.” Marco states.
Luna enters the dining room. “Mi scusi, Giovane Romano, c’e` un Davide Russo qui. Dovrei inviarlo (Excuse me, Young Romano, there is a Davide Russo here. Should I send him in)?”
I didn’t expect him to show after not returning my phone call. I wonder what he has to say about all of this. “Sì, Luna lo manda dentro (Yes, Luna send him in).” Luca and Matteo stare at me with questioning eyes. I chuckle. “Sì, conosco l'italiano (Yes, I know Italian).”
Luna exits and seconds later Davide enters like he’s the fucking ruler of the world.
“Ah, vedo che hai già iniziato senza di me (Ah, I see you have already started without me).” Davide states, taking a sit at the empty chair next to Marco. He picks up Marco’s fork and stabs a piece of his loin before taking a bite out of it. We stare on like he has lost his damn mind.
“Davide, vuoi un piatto tutto tuo (Davide, would you like a plate of your own)?” I calmly ask leaning back in my chair. Davide stops in mid chew sizing me up.
Davide takes a bite of the last piece before placing the fork on the table.
“You know, for some reason I had a feeling you spoke Italian or at least understood what we were saying at the meeting. You tried to hide it and I’m sure the rest did not see it but I did especially when your grandfather spoke.
That is why I made sure when you were at the bar you heard everything I said.
You should be careful because your pulse quickens when your angry. ” He says with a smirk.
What a prick. “Why are you here, Davide?” I ask.
“Well, you left a message inviting me.” He sarcastically replies now picking up Marco’s wine glass getting ready to take a sip before Marco takes the glass from his hand. “Oh, my apologies, I had a rough night and I am famished and thirsty.”
Marco peers at him with disgust. “I don’t care what kind of night you had, if you touch anything else in front of me, I will shoot you.”
Davide regards him before falling into a fit of laughter. “Damn you look like you really want to kill me over a piece of meat and wine. I apologize again; I meant no disrespect.”
“Davide, if you are not here to join allies then what is your purpose for coming.” I question already getting tired of his presence.
He reaches for Marco’s napkin but stops. “May I?” He asks.
Marco waves his hand at him rolling his eyes.
Many may think by appearance Marco was a nerd and a push over but they really did not know the true Marco.
I used to think that too until one night, Felix brought him to the warehouse.
We went into the gun range and when he pulled out a Ruger SR40c, one of the deadliest pistols on the planet, he completely destroyed the paper target.
I knew then I really needed him on my team, not just for his computer skills but if we were in a gun fight, he was going to lay down any one he aimed at.
If I were Davide, I would watch how I treated him because I know for sure that pistol was somewhere on Marco’s body.
Davide wipes his mouth then throws the napkin on the table.
“Now, first I don’t join with anyone, your fight with Giovanni is your fight but I see where the opportunity to ally the families might work in my families favor.
Second, I thought you might want to know the man your father killed last night, his son Gian is gunning for him and even though he is not of high rank, he has a large following here with the low level families. ”
“Shit” Father hisses from the side of me.
“So, I assume he is with Giovanni?” I quiz.
“Not only is he with Giovanni, but he has also vowed to bring the two of you to him so Giovanni can take you out and Gian gets to kill the man who murdered his father.” Davide replies as the servers place a plate of food and a glass of wine on the table for him.
“And how do you know this?” Adam questions. I was wondering the same thing.
Davide sighs. “I have men that work the lower levels too. People talk and Gian is one of them. I figured your brother would want to know what...how do you American’s say it...oh, what the word on the street is.”
“You seem to know a lot, Davide, how do we know you aren’t playing both sides?” Father asks.
Davide was about to dig into his meal when he stopped to answer.
“I’m an equal opportunist and in this situation, I do not see Giovanni or Gian coming out the winners and you know why?
” He asks looking at me. “I’ve done my homework, my research.
When I found out there was a new head of the Romano family, I wanted to find out everything I could about this man.
Not only did I find out this man was taken away from his family and turned into a killing machine known as The Snatcher of Souls...
good moniker by the way...but I learned he was just a deadly as I am and I didn’t stop there either.
My research also led me to learn about his two brothers, Felix the computer specialist and sharpshooter.
And his younger brother, Adam, who is good with guns too but is a beast with his hands.
Though you may have one hell a fight on your hands, I’m here to let you know you have the support of the Russo family but if you fail, I will withdraw said support.
” He finishes beginning to eat his meal.
Shit, with or without his support we were going to win this war but it was good to know I had the three families backing us if needed.
We continued to talk over lunch going over a plan to flush Giovanni and Gian out.
Felix and Marco excused themselves early so they could use father’s office to start hacking into Giovanni and the towns security system to see if we can catch him lurking around.
Before we ended lunch, father invited Luca, Matteo and Davide and their families to have dinner with us the next night at one of his favorite restaurants.
I was skeptical with everything that was going on but he assured me the owners were personal friends of his and he would make sure there would be extra security on hand.
The three Dons also offered to have their security detail on hand.
So, we agreed to meet tomorrow night at Calabresi’s at six o’clock.
Before we left the dining room, Davide asked Luna for a plate to go.
I thought Adam ate a lot but right now it’s a toss-up between him and Davide.