Chapter Five
In a mansion on the banks of Lake Onterio, New York
While sitting at her laptop, Excaliber gasped and raised her head.
Bane turned his head and stared at her.
She slowly turned her screen around to where he could see it.
Leaning in, he found himself looking at a chatroom.” He raised his head. “This is in Italian.”
Nodding she told him,” You can click that button for translation.”
“No, I can read Italian among other languages.” Bane read it then looked up at her with a question in his eyes. “How in the fuck did you get a hold of this?”
Excaliber shrugged. “Never mind that. I think this is linked to an assassination attempt within the Familia. One Fredo Grimaldi was looking to kill the Don and his son Giovano was supposed to take out the biggest leader here. Then they were going to step into their own shoes.”
“And why is this important to us?” Bane asked.
“Leon Vincinti is the biggest leader on the east coast,” she reminded him.
Bane’s fingers clenched around his cup and the ceramic shattered in his hands. Blood mixed with coffee and ran the length of the table staining the tablecloth. “Does he know?”
She paid no attention to his agitation as she nodded. “I think so. There has been some news about it on the TV stations.”
“Is he still alive?” Bane growled.
Now, his brothers, Bastian and some of the others joined them at the table.
“Nothing has come across the wires yet,” Excaliber replied. “I have also found that the Grimaldi’s in Italy have a strong connection right here in the states. A connection that may have been waiting and watching for an opportunity to get their feet into Boston, but Leon won’t let them in.”
Bane looked her in the eyes and asked, “Who would be that damn stupid?”
Excaliber just stared at him and replied, “The Gonda Cartel.”
Bastian whistled softly. “Yeah, those idiots are that stupid. They’re also that dangerous. Dangerous enough not to think anyone would dare stand up to them.”
Bane slowly turned his head and bared his gleaming white teeth in a calculating smile. “And we’re dangerous enough to stop them or at least stick our foot out and try to trip them up.”
Bastian read the determination in Bane’s eyes and nodded. “Let me make a phone call.” He stepped away and walked down the hall to his office. When the door closed behind him he tapped Leon’s private number.
Leon answered with a tired sounding hello.
Bastian sighed in relief. “I’m glad that you’re still alive, my friend.”
Leon paused then said, “And do you already know what happened?”
“I know enough,” Bastian told him. “I know the plan was to kill you here in the US and a man named Giovano was to replace you while his father went after the head of the Familia over in Italy.”
Leon sighed hard. “Si, that was the plan. We now have this Giovano locked in a cell in the basement. While in Italy, the Don has collected his father for us. The bastards also kidnapped my son Calderone and right now his whereabouts are still unknown to us.” He scoffed.
Bastian hissed softly. “What are Calderone’s odds of safety?” he asked quietly.
“Very good. I have to believe that. He’s got more friends over there than Fredo has and that gives me hope. We had safety nets in place as well. Calderone is strong and stubborn, I have to believe he’ll be back, bruised maybe but he’ll come home to us.”
“That’s very good to hear.”
“We had two waves during the attack. I had some friends right here in the city that stepped up to help with the battle. Iceman, Deke and Hawk came through right after Giovano got inside during the second wave. They had men with them so the takedown was swift and lethal.”
“Damn, we would have jumped in had we known, Leon.”
“I know. But it happened swiftly like most of these events do.”
“I’m calling for more than a welfare check.
As you know we have an extensive tech network.
Mainly, our Excaliber. So we have found information you need to know,” Bastian told him.
“These men have a secret connection to a cartel in Mexico that has been looking for a way into Boston for a very long time.”
“The Gonda Cartel again,” Leon voice had hardened. “I told Paulo and his oldest son Manuel twelve years ago that I would never accept him in my city.”
“Yeah, those kinds of people just never accept the word no,” Bastian agreed. “Bane and some of the others are packing now, if you’ll let them come.”
Leon went quiet for a long moment on his end. Then he cleared his throat to say, “They would do that. For me?”
Bastian chuckled. “Yes, they would. In fact, they insist on it. They do love a good fight. Plus, I do not think there is a way to tell Bane no. If you find a way, you need to tell us your secret.”
Leon chuckled dryly. “They are always welcome in my home. My men have to replace the front gate but it will be done by the time your people arrive. Give my thanks to your Excaliber. I admire her greatly and appreciate her efforts. And convey my gratitude to those who would join us.” He paused then said, “Accept my IOU for helping me as well.”
Bastain scoffed. “No IOU is necessary, my friend. We help each other because that’s what friends do. They should arrive in a few hours. We have to stop this before anyone gets hurt. Arrivederci, mi amico mio.”
Bastian ended the call and sat back in his chair for a moment.
This phone call had reminded him that there was always more going on than anyone knew and he prayed that Calderone would indeed come home in one piece.
Bastain got up, went down the hall and eventually the living room where everyone was gathered.
Bane had just set his duffle bag down when he noticed the look on Bastian’s face. “What’s wrong?”
Bastian sighed heavily and looked at him then the whole crew.
“I spoke to Leon and he said the Grimaldi’s have already made their move.
They came in two waves but thanks to the Sinners and the Sins, they put down both waves.
He didn’t even blink when I told him the cartel was coming for him.
Then he told me Calderone had been taken in Italy and he didn’t know if he was still alive or not.
When I asked him about whether he needed help or not he said you would be welcome there.
He even said he would owe us after this was finally over.
I told him he wouldn’t owe us a thing because we were friends and that’s what friends do.
” He looked over at Excaliber and said, “He remembered you and thanks you for the new information.” He chuckled and said, “He even told me that Giovano Grimaldi was now sitting in his cells.” Shaking his head he admitted, “He sounded tired but he’s alive still and I think he’s waiting for Calderone to come back home before he thinks this will be finished. ”
Bane studied him then asked, “What are you thinking?”
Bastian shook his head. “Leon is a hell of a man. I’m not sure I could be as calm as he seems to be right now. I would be going house to house with a gun in my hand if someone just tried to kill me.”
James shook his head as he disagreed, “No, you wouldn’t.
You would do exactly what Leon is doing and you know it.
You would look at the bigger picture and wait until everything was over once and for all before you let yourself feel it.
Grimaldi better hope and pray that Calderone does come home or Leon will not stop until they are all lying dead at his feet.
That old man can be scary when he’s crossed.
And this is a definite scenario of someone crossing him.
Heads are gonna definitely roll before this is over. ”
Bane nodded. “And we’re gonna help him survive it all. No one fucks with our people.”
Bastian gave him a nod. He then looked over at Excaliber and asked, “What do we know about the Gonda Cartel?”
Excaliber looked down at her screen and said, “We know there are three men in control after their father stepped down and they took over. Manuel, Trego and Juan.”
Bastian nodded. “Yeah, Leon mentioned Manuel. What else?”
She read silently for a moment then looked up, “Seems the stepping down was a clean takeover. Paulo Gonda apparently didn’t think his sons were at the point yet to take over but the sons pushed him out and just took over anyway. That doesn’t sound right to me.”
Cane looked at her and asked, “Do we know what they are doing? Why they need a foothold in Boston?”
Excaliber nodded. “They want an outlet for shipping their products overseas. They are running guns, drugs and women.”
Orrin looked puzzled as he asked, “But they could do that from Mexico, why do they need Boston?”
Excaliber read more of her report on the Gonda Cartel then she looked up and explained, “They need Boston to get international shipping for their smuggling ring. They have made contacts in Italy and they hope to get into a contract for more inventory. God only knows what that means but that’s why they need Boston. ”
“And that’s why Leon doesn’t want them there.” Bastian growled. “He may not know about the smuggling ring yet but he for sure wouldn’t want the drugs and women going through his city.”
“Damn, maybe I should take a rocket launcher or two with me on this trip.” Orrin turned and walked down the hall to grab another duffle bag.
Excaliber shook her head and spoke up again, “Well, I do think the cartel is running on fumes.”
“What does that mean exactly?” Bastian wanted to know.
“Well, it seems that not everyone was behind the takeover.” She read her research notes again.
“Most of the cartel are still loyal to Paulo and the sons might not be as strong as they think they are. They also know Leon doesn’t want them there and most of the army Manuel is leading don’t want to go, not against Leon Vinciniti.
” Shaking her head she also told them, “That isn’t going over well, and I think one of the brothers doesn’t want this either.
I think Juan is still loyal to his father. ”
Bane stared at her. “How do you know so much about this cartel anyway?”
She smiled. “I have a network of informers out here and they have seen this up close and personal like. They are watching everything and the major players.” She shrugged.
“When you have everything playing out in front of you or close enough you can hear the words of the people. This is what they are hearing the people saying.”
Bane nodded. “That helps us not so sure it helps the cartel.”
Sheba and Ari dropped their bags down on the floor.
Sheba looked at Bane and said, “We’re going too. Why should you boys always get to fight the battles?”
“I was hoping you two girls would be with us.” He shrugged. “But the choice had to be yours.”
Ari snorted. “Like we would ever just stay home. Leon is our friend too.”
“Let’s get going then,” Bane replied. “We have a long drive ahead of us and hopefully we’ll get there before the cartel does.”
They all grabbed their bags and began filing out the front door.
Bane, Cane, Orrin, Sheba, Ari and James.