CHAPTER 10
Tino
It only took a few weeks, with the help of Jesse Savage and the other chapters of the Wicked Warriors, to own the whole Midwest, not just Chicago. What could I say? He owed me a lot for helping him and Anastasia, and he was happy to repay the debt.
A few months later, I was expanding north to Oregon. The Irish there weren’t as organized as they should have, and the MCs were nothing but rogue gangsters. I came with a better business plan and bigger cuts. They couldn’t refuse the offer I made them to team up with me. It was better than the alternative. The ones that weren’t smart enough to partner with me screamed like little bitches when they went in flames.
I peered at the map on my desk, Michele next to me. I was pleased with the progress, but he didn’t seem to share my enthusiasm.
“ Parla ,” I said.
He stared at me for a moment and then back at the map. “We’re tightening everything around the Lanzas, leaving them nothing but the West.”
“That is the plan, Michele. Take everything, leave them with nothing but their little home. They’re lucky they still have a turf.” They were lucky I left them alive in the first place. “With us dominating the Midwest and the North, they can have no allies to try to get back what they’ve lost.”
“There’s still the South and East.”
I chuckled. “Good luck with that. The South belongs to the cartel. Every mobster family that has tried to sneak in there failed miserably. And the East is a lost cause with the fucking Larvins.”
“Enzio is deep with the cartel, and the Night Skulls. Texas chapter owns the MC scene in the whole South.”
“Which is great because they hate the San Francisco chapter that was friends with the Lanzas. Furore hated that cazzone Roar may he never fucking rest in peace. He’d never side with Enzio who used to be BFF with the child rapist, not after what happened to Furore’s sister. And the Larvins hate the Lanzas as much as we hate the Larvins.”
He gave me that look again.
“Che Cazzo? Speak your mind, Michele. What’s worrying you so much?”
“Jocasta is in San Francisco, Don Bellomo.”
“As she’s been for years now.”
“When the rope gets tighter around someone’s neck, they’d do anything to break free. You’re leaving the Lanzas no room to breathe. They have no option but to get in bed with Texas or New York.”
“I’d like to see them try. It’ll be fun. Better prepare the popcorn.”
“If they find out who Jocasta really is, they’ll get the Larvins on their side, Don Bellomo. Then Furore and the rest of the Night Skulls won’t stand a chance.”
“What makes you think they’ll find out who she is?”
“She’s teaching at the Arena. Furore is in there. They have leverage on him, and that’s not all.” He leaned in and whispered everything he knew.
I wiped a hand over my mouth. “Pull her out of there.”
“She won’t listen to me, and honestly, even if I force her, if she disappears now, that will make all the rumors true. They will know she is the girl.”
I nodded. “You’re right, but don’t worry, Michele. I won’t let anything happen to her. I know how important she is to you. In fact, her being there could help us kill two birds with one stone.”
“What do you mean?”
I smirked at him. “Don’t you want to settle that old score with the Larvins?”
“Very much.”
“Then keep a close on her and be ready when the time comes.”