The Vincintis #10

Bits of Vincinti #9

Myron sweated as he felt the knife Leon held touch his back.

Then he closed his eyes almost as if he were praying and he whispered, “In my pocket...One of the men we met dropped a letter as he was leaving. No one else saw it but me. I picked it up after they left.” His whisper was raw and low.

“I didn’t read it until later.” His voice faded into the silence.

Leon leaned near to his ear to ask quietly, “And why should I care about a letter?”

“I don’t know but you might want to read it.” Myron choked on his own spit. “It might give you a clue to who is behind this.”

Leon nodded at John.

John walked over to the pile of clothing. He sorted through the clothing and shoved his hand into the pockets then he drew out the letter. With a raise of his eyebrow, he handed the letter to Leon.

Leon opened the letter and began to read.

The letter was written in Italian. He paused at this.

Reading the words on the paper, his eyes went dark with rage.

After a long tense moment, he carefully folded the letter and handed the knife back to John.

Then he looked at his son in law and said, “Leave them where they are for now. I’ll be back to deal with them after I make a few calls. ”

John nodded then dared to ask, “What did it say?”

Leon shook his head at him and said, “This betrayal goes deeper than we realized. I must speak to someone in Italy before they can set something up.” He turned and walked out the door.

John just shook his head and looked at Myron. “Why didn’t you say something before about that letter?”

Myron swallowed hard. “I heard the two men who busted us out tell Orlan and Walter about the disruption but as they walked away I heard them say something about setting up an assassination. I didn’t tell anyone about the letter because I didn’t know what it said.

I couldn’t read it but I did hear them say something about a Mr. G.

I had no idea what they were talking about so I didn’t say anything. ”

In the Study...

Leon poured two glasses of brandy. He held one out to John.

Knowing that this wasn’t a good sign at all, John came inside and took the glass.

Leon slammed the liquor down his throat and set the glass onto the desk.

“What did you find out?” John asked quietly as he sipped his drink. He wouldn’t remind Leon that he never drank while on duty. No, this situation called for a careful approach.

Leon paused as he stared out through the window, he could see the front lawn and for a moment he said nothing.

Then he turned his head and stared at him for a minute.

“I found the traitor and I exposed his plan to the Familia in Italy. This letter was written by him. I even had them check his handwriting. There is going to be a street war for the next few days over there while they hunt for him and the ones who thought they were above the family. People will die over this.”

“And Calderone?” John asked.

Leon shrugged. “I was told there are signs that a fight took place in an area that should not have had a fight. I believe it was caused by Calderone and Lucas. There were men there that further implicated the traitor as they worked for him. I know Willow will be safe as long as she stays in place. Jordy would die before he let anything happen to her. He just needs to stay where I told them to go and let Calderone come to them.”

“Why hasn’t he called?”

Leon stared down at his empty glass. “He wants them to think he is dead. That is my guess. And I know my son, he will not show his hand.”

John nodded as he agreed with this. “And you? What are you going to do?”

Leon looked over at John and said, “My life and every life in this house is in your hands. I trust you completely. We are on lockdown until you and your men can find the assassins who were sent here to kill me. Apparently, my death was supposed to start an ambush that would have taken out the entire Familia back home. They were going to hit some major people on the High Council there. Then when the dust settled, Fredo Grimadli, Lucas’ uncle was going to step up and reassign positions left open by the war.

Fredo’s brother, Angelo, is in a state of shock.

That is who I spoke to for so long today.

He has been my longtime friend. It was a knife to his heart as he did not guess at this.

Yes, his nephew Giovano was unhappy at the hierarchy but he never believed. ..”

“So the plan is they will storm this estate when they do the hits they need?” John’s body went rigid as he waited for an answer.

Leon didn’t give him one as he again turned to stare out the window at the very gate and lawn that had been breached two years ago. “We survived attacks before, John.”

“And we damn well will survive this one too.” John gave him a nod.

They stared at each other.

“We are only as strong as who leads us,” John added. “And thank fuck you are the biggest badass in Boston.”

Leon blinked at him then he chuckled. “That’s a huge title, John.”

“It is well earned.”

Leon turned back to the window. “We shall see if I can continue to hold that title. So when I spoke to the Don, he said he was already looking for Calderone and Lucas. He said their kidnapping was something the Familia wouldn’t tolerate and the ones behind it would be disciplined.”

They both heard a knock on the doorframe and turned to look.

Jelly Bean stood there then she stepped into the room.

She kept her gaze locked onto Leon’s as she came forward and when she paused in front of him she spoke quietly, “I just wanted you to know that you have an army outside these walls, if you need them. You might not pay them but they are willing to stand with you if you need them.”

“Whom are you talking about my dear?” Leon asked.

Jelly Bean sighed and explained what she seemed to believe he should have already known, “Leon, the street people know probably more about what’s going on here than you do.

They watch everything. They feel the vibes long before anyone else even has an inclination there’s something wrong.

A few of them have reached out to me over the last twenty-four hours.

They told me something bad is coming for the Vincintis and they are concerned.

They are aware of what you do for the city.

Oscar called me just now and reported that they know where these men are. The ones willing to kill you.”

Leon glanced over at John then back at Jelly Bean. “They know where these men are?”

Jelly Bean nodded. “They have been keeping an eye on them and they have been listening to what they are saying. They told me they are waiting for one more person to arrive so he can watch them shoot you.”

“Did they overhear a name or anything to identify who they are waiting on?” Leon growled.

Jelly Bean nodded. “They said they are waiting for a Mr. Double G. Do you know that name?”

Leon felt his heart begin to race. Yes, he knew that name.

“Giovano Grimaldi. Fredo’s oldest son. That’s even more confirmation.

The Don had spoken of a younger member of the Grimaldi family who left the country two weeks ago, they just hadn’t known which of the grandsons it was.

Giovano or Juno.” He stared outside once again, not saying a word for the longest time.

Then he turned and looked at John. “Fortify the estate with every man you can spare.” He looked at Jelly Bean and smiled.

“Tell your people to watch and wait. I need them to keep track of everyone they are watching but not to step in. I don’t want anyone hurt on my behalf. ”

Jelly Bean nodded. “There are a few of them who are willing to come forward, they would like to be part of what you have going on here. But they have no education or any real training. They are afraid you wouldn’t even consider them but they said they would be interested, if you need them.”

Leon stared at her then he nodded. “I might just take that offer, if they are willing to learn.”

L

“Storm is here. He came around the back,” Jelly told him softly.

Leon paused to look over at John.

John sighed and told him, “I will find out.” He knew the man had breached the estate and considering the current danger, they had to find out how.

They followed Jelly Bean to the back door. When she opened it, she stepped to the side.

There stood Storm, all six foot nine of him. Dark, broad shouldered and his appearance was just like his name. He had three other men with him.

Leon just stared at him for a long moment.

Storm seemed used to the reaction. He held out his hand to Leon. “You called me here. I’m Storm.”

Leon shook his hand without any seeming judgement and stepped back, allowing the men into his home. “Let’s take this to my office.”

The group went down the long hall and when Leon opened the office, they all trudged inside.

Jelly Bean smiled and nodded at the other men then she stepped toward the other hall to head back to Nick.

Leon stopped her by placing a hand on her arm. “Please join us. Your friends at least know you and they would be more comfortable with you at our first meeting,” he spoke softly.

Jelly nodded then stepped back into the room.

Storm nodded at her. “Hey, Jelly Bean how you been?”

“Been living high and mighty,” she joked. “All gravy and no train. This man here may think he is living normally.” She motioned to Leon. “But as you can see.... It is like the Lifestyles of the Rich and Extremely Dangerous. And you?”

Storm chuckled. “Same ole Jelly. All jokes and no fear. I always thought I might see you on a comedy tour somewhere.” He then shrugged and asked her, “So is this for real?”

Jelly Bean nodded. “Yeah man, this is real.”

Storm turned his head to stare at Leon and asked, “Why’d you know enough to call me?”

Leon sat behind his desk and studied the group of men in front of him.

They really weren’t anything average. Let alone an average street person.

All big, in shape and looking alert to anything that might come.

“I knew to call for you because of the signals. You know the flashlights as you were guarding my street? Then I went to Jelly Bean. After convincing her of the importance, she told me your name but not much else. Said I needed to talk to Oscar.”

Storm nodded. “I can’t believe you even know him.”

“I’ve known him for a while. So, after I realized you and your group were keeping a look out along the road here, I wondered if you knew where these men were hiding?”

Storm nodded. “Yeah, they been there a few days. They think they’re safe because the place is out in the sticks. They are waiting for some bigshot from Italy. He’s supposed to be here today at some point.”

Leon steepled his fingers and replied, “Si, he is supposed to arrive today but things are going wrong back home. Things that he might not know about yet and that news is not going to make him happy.”

Storm just stared at him for a long moment. “Oh, yeah? That’s too bad, isn’t it?”

Leon nodded and said in mock pity, “Si it is too bad but he and his brother had to know their father’s plan wouldn’t work.”

Storm held up his hand. “We got most of the story straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak. We heard their plans from the guys holed up, so we know the gist of it already.”

Leon nodded. “We need you to show us where these men are staying. We’ll surround them and take them out.”

One of Storm’s men snorted. “Yeah, I just bet you will.”

Leon just stared at him. “We don’t want bloodshed but I will not just let them go either.

They broke men out of prison and brought them here to Boston to do harm to my family.

Two of the men are dead for what they did after they got here and the other three are downstairs in my cells.

But we didn’t know where these other men are. ”

Storm studied Leon then nodded. “We’ll show you the front door. What you do to them after you break that door down, is your business.” He looked over at Jelly Bean.

Jelly Bean studied him. Then to show her trust in Leon, she nodded.

Storm then looked back at Leon and nodded. “Her word is good enough for me.”

Leon cocked his head at him. “But she didn’t say a word.”

Storm smiled. “She didn’t have to say it.” He shrugged. “If you know her at all? You know when she disapproves.”

Leon paused then he chuckled. “Si, I have learned this. The woman has no filter.” He looked over at her and added, “And that makes her a treasure to behold.”

Storm paused at this odd statement then he laughed too.

“I see that you do know her. So at first, she gives you a real headache like a migraine, man... and threatens to kick your ass several times. Then when she sees you aren’t giving up, she will slowly allow you in.

IF you are lucky. But not far, just enough so you wish to earn her friendship. ”

Jelly Bean scoffed. “You act like I’m someone important. Come on, man!”

Leon just shook his head. Then he turned to Jelly. “I have found that your importance grows by the day. Not only to me and my family but to Nick. You need to realize just how wonderful you are and accept our...trust in you.”

Jelly Bean said not a word. She simply shook her head as if they were all crazy then gave Storm and his men a nod. Turning, she left the room.

After what he just said about Jelly Bean, Storm stared at Leon. “So, you are the real deal.”

John replied to this, “Those of us who work for him know that he is just that.”

Leon just shook his head at him.

Alarms went off throughout the house.

Leon halted and stared at John. “The women know to get to the saferoom.”

John gave him a nod and headed out of the room.

“Wait!” Storm yelled at him. “What’s going on?”

“We are under attack,” John called back to him as he was on his phone talking to Balard.

Storm and his men looked over at Leon.

He already had twin pearl handled pistols laid out on his desk.

He was checking his ammunition clips. He then redeposited the guns into his under the jacket-double-holsters.

“The war has come to us, gentlemen. If you wish to leave, you may. I am sure you know where the door is.” He then rushed over to a painting and slid it aside.

Pressing a button, the wall slid over, revealing racks of machine guns, rifles and AK 47’s.

“Or...” Leon mimicked that old movie line, “You can say hello to my little friends.” He wore a lopsided smile even as his eyes blazed with rage.