Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
There isn’t much decoration in his office. Just a few statues on the bookcase and an old family photo probably showing his parents.
Otherwise, it’s austere.
Filippo clicks twice and looks up. “Sorry about that. Some clients expect me to drop everything and email back the instant they send a message.” He stands and shakes our hands. “Please, come in. It’s good to see you both again. The last time we met, circumstances weren’t ideal.”
“You mean Carmine and Rocco murdering each other and nearly killing my brother?” I beam at him when he grimaces. “I’d say that was definitely unfortunate.”
“We have to deal with certain personalities in this line of business. Would either of you like a drink?”
I politely decline. Luca asks for some water. Filippo calls out to Marta, and she returns a moment later with a glass and a tray with several dishes. “Lemon shrimp in garlic and good olive oil. Just dip the bread and enjoy.” She places it all down on Filippo’s desk.
“Thank you, dear.” Filippo eats first, looking happy. I join him more out of politeness than anything else. Luca sits back and watches, saying nothing.
“So good,” I say, which is true. But I’m too nervous to keep eating.
“Marta’s an excellent cook.” Filippo seems very proud as he looks toward the door. “But we should keep our voices down. Who knows who might be listening?”
I nod and speak softly. “You can probably guess why we’re here.”
“I heard that your brother checked himself out of the hospital.”
“Only to keep ahead of the killers Corrado sent.” I lean forward and eat a little more shrimp. It helps calm me down a little bit. “But Raf is doing better. He’s awake and improving.”
“That’s good news.” Filippo doesn’t look happy, but he doesn’t seem sad either. His eyes narrow, and he studies me carefully. “I take it your brother is set on his new position.”
“His rightful position,” I correct. “And yes, with the backing of the Marino Famiglia—” I gesture at Luca, who continues to loom beside me. “—he plans on making sure his claim sticks permanently.”
Filippo lets out a sigh. “Fighting is always bad for business. That’s what I’ve always counseled whenever your father would ask. I do numbers, and the numbers always tell the truth.”
“Then your numbers understand the situation we’re in. Even if my uncle solidifies his hold on the business, we’re finished. He can’t turn it around without Marino help.”
“That’s why I told your father to marry you off.” Filippo doesn’t smile. He barely shows emotion as he speaks. “He didn’t want to do that to you, but I walked him through the accounts and made him understand. This is a matter of survival for us now.”
“We need your backing, Filippo.” I stare at him but do my best to keep myself as calm and emotionless as possible.
“You saw what we’re against. You saw those other two—” Luca starts, but I put a hand on his thigh. This is a man who makes decisions with logic and facts. He won’t respond well if Luca starts trying to talk about revenge or anything like that.
Lucky for me, my husband isn’t stupid. He goes quiet and lets me take the lead.
“Raf has the Marino Famiglia’s support,” I continue as Filippo sits back and listens. “That means muscle and money. You’re aware our relationship with them will be complicated, but they’ll cover our debts, and we’ll continue to run our businesses as we see fit. Corrado will have none of that. Even if he gets creative, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to dig us out of our hole.”
Filippo nods slowly and glances at Luca. “You can guarantee what she’s saying?”
“Absolutely. I have my Don’s full backing.”
“We need you to tell us where Corrado’s hiding.” I stare at Luca. My stomach’s a wreck with worry. If he turns us down, I don’t know where else we’ll go. There are other Capos we can try, but Filippo’s by far our best bet. But if he thinks we’re a bad decision, then I can’t imagine any of the others will want to take the risk.
Filippo slowly stands. He walks over to a side table and pours himself a glass of liquor. He swirls it around, staring at the window as he takes a long and thoughtful drink. “I’ve been in this business a long time,” he says, sounding strangely sad. “I respected your father, but he made some questionable choices. Those choices led us here, to this situation. How can I be sure your brother is going to be a better fiscal steward of the Famiglia?”
“I’m going to make sure of it.” I surprise myself with how sure I am. Barely a few weeks ago, I was thinking about running away and never coming back, but now that feels like an entirely different lifetime.