Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Shutting the folder, I take a moment to make eye contact with each of them.
Michael clears his throat, and looking nervous, he says, “You know how it is, Mr. Falco. There are labor shortages, new regulations, and rising insurance.”
I let out a chuckle that sounds more like a warning, and the men bristle. “Funny how those same issues never seem to hurt your finances.”
Thanks to Rosie, I know exactly what goes on behind the scenes.
I tap a finger against the folder. “What does the family get in return?”
Mark quickly answers, “Priority staffing on every project.”
Narrowing my eyes, I mutter, “We already get that.”
Mark shifts in his chair and shoots the other two men a look before he says, “Guaranteed approval of overtime requests.”
Getting annoyed, I tilt my head.
Michael quickly leans forward and adds, “You’ll get advance notice before any labor action. We’ll keep our political friends and labor contacts backing your projects, and if any worker complaints pop up, we’ll handle them quietly before they turn into a problem.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere,” I mutter.
Construction projects can lose millions if the wrong people decide to create problems.
“No inspectors sniffing where they don’t belong, and permits move faster,” I demand while meeting their gazes.
One by one, they nod in agreement, then I say, “Ten percent.”
Mark immediately shakes his head. “You’re killing us. Fifteen.”
I stick to my guns. “Ten.”
He lets out a sigh. “Thirteen and a half.”
Picking up my tumbler, I take a sip. “Eleven.”
The three officials exchange glances, then Mark extends his hand. “You have a deal.”
Sure I do. Eleven is what they wanted. They always come in high, knowing I’ll talk them down.
Rising to my feet, I shake their hands, and just like that, another year is settled without any blood being spilled. It’s because the Cosa Nostra ultimately signs the checks and keeps thousands employed.
Everyone of them knows exactly how much more profitable cooperation is than finding out what happens when the family doesn’t get what it wants.
“Always a pleasure doing business with you,” Mark says with a wide grin on his face.
I don’t bother returning the smile and say, “Until next year.”
Walking out of the restaurant, I pull my phone from my pocket and glance at my schedule before deciding to swing past my parents’ place to check on them.
I hardly notice Ciro and Nathan, who follow me around like shadows on Christiano’s insistence. I told them that if they get in my way and delay me, I’ll shoot them, so they always hang back.
I only tolerate the men for Christiano’s peace of mind. I trained twice as hard as my older brother, knowing it would be my job to keep him in the seat of power, so I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.
As soon as I get into my Mustang and switch on the engine, a message appears on the dashboard screen.
I SEE U.
The next instant, a song blasts over the speakers. Warriors from League of Legends.
Rosie likes to hack into my car and do things like this. I’ll never admit it to a living soul, but I fucking love every message and song she sends me.
I let the music play while I drive to my parents’ house in Manhattan, and parking in my usual spot, I switch off the engine and get out.
The front door opens, and Mom smiles lovingly at me. “Hi.”
Even though she’s in her fifties, she looks more like our older sister than our mother. I got Mom’s eyes and smile, but the rest of me is from Dad.
“Hey, Mamma.” When I reach her, I lean down and press a kiss to her cheek.
“Are you going to have dinner with us?” she asks while stepping aside so I can enter the house.
“I already ate during a meeting with the guys from the Union.”
We walk into the foyer, then Dad and Uncle Carlo come out of his office. “How did it go?”
For a man who just turned seventy, my father is still very fit and a formidable force. Uncle Carlo, who’s been Dad’s guard since before I was born, refuses to retire. He doesn’t trust anyone else to protect my parents.
“Good. They agreed to eleven percent,” I tell him.
“Did they try to talk you up to fifteen like all the other years?”
“Of course.” I let out a chuckle. “Maybe I should agree to fifteen percent next year just to see their reactions.”
“The shock might give Mark a heart attack.”
Chuckling, we walk to the entertainment room where we always hangout. Uncle Carlo doesn’t join us and heads outside to probably do a sweep of the grounds.
While Dad pours us drinks, I pick up the darts and throw a bullseye.
“How are things with Rosie?” Mom asks.
She always asks. Christ, I don’t think there’s anyone on this planet who wants Rosie and me married more than she does.