Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 154525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
“You think I’m calling if he’s fucking up?”
“I think you should,” Salvatore returned easily. “Yeah.”
“Well, he isn’t. I saw him for an hour in the late afternoon, he showed up at the Deli. You know we’re closed in the afternoon on Sundays, right?”
“Of course.”
“Right, well, he brings me coffee, picks up a mop, and mutters something about quitting smoking. I let him clean because who the fuck am I to turn down free labor? Me and Vauhn are just watching him crawl out of his fucking skin and I knew it wasn’t from a lack of cigarettes.”
“Are you getting around to a point?”
By now, Salvatore had pulled three ice creams from the freezer and set them, in the wrappers, to the counter.
“Said he took his girl to Chicago this weekend,” Big Mike said.
Salvatore cleared his throat. “Oh?”
“He didn’t mention her name, Sal, but I know. I was standing on those steps helping my wife down because you know she wore the worst shoes for that night. I heard what got said, I heard it all.”
“Do you want confirmation, or something?”
“No, but he kept her name out of it. What I’m about to tell you, he didn’t name her, but father to father, I want you to know.”
“Know what?”
“They partied, picked up tainted shit. He barely let her taste it, but he about died. I guess Carmine Marino came in at just the right time. Does any of this sound familiar to you?”
He had to be honest. “No, but Carmine had strict instructions regarding his communications with me this weekend.”
That man was another goddamn problem in his life that he hated the thought of dealing with.
“Hmm,” Big Mike muttered back. “Anyway, father to father, talk to your kid.”
“What was all that golden boy shit you threw in at first? Just for fun?” Salvatore asked, slightly annoyed.
“No, he is a go-between that I’m gonna use. He’s got the in and knows about clubs in Chicago. It’s an easy few hundred thousand a month between the two. He was practically shaking at how he’d fucked up but that mind of his couldn’t let go of how he could turn that situation around in more than one way. Kind of crazy, ain’t it?”
“Sounds like Nico.”
“Kid’s told me three times he’s got ADHD. The fuck, is that like a superpower? Because my daughter’s got that, and it is not the same. She barely sits still and needs fifteen things going all at the same time just to keep her entertained. I love her, and thank God she’s beautiful, because let me say...”
Salvatore laughed under his breath and scrubbed at his face with his palm. “I’ve seen some of Nico’s records. He’s got a brilliant mind that hyper fixates on things. It’s like he figured out how to use it.”
“Well, whatever. Nico is gold. Everything he touches—gold. He just made me millions all over again, Sal. So, I’m gonna pull supply from Anthony Carcoli’s territory effective immediately. And I’ll no longer sell bulk to him to his third-party deals. Just so you know, when shit pops off. Given the way Marco behaved at the party with his brother, that five and half mil meant fuck all in the grand scheme. Fuck, they burnt out two backrooms in my territory last week, but I just can’t prove it. Yet.”
Salvatore chewed over his thoughts. “You could absorb Anthony’s territory if you needed to, couldn’t you?”
“Are you suggesting I should?”
“I’m asking if you could.”
“Any day. He can get it.”
“Good to know,” Salvatore murmured.
“And Sal?”
“Yeah?”
Big Mike laughed a dark chuckle that sounded a hell of a lot like pride. “Get that kid his fuckin’ button, or I will.”
Salvatore eventually made his way outside after ending the phone call with Big Mike.
“Is that for me?” Carmen asked, bolting Salvatore’s way as he padded down the front steps at the sight of him with three cold treats.
“Yes, and ones to share, if they want some.”
“Frankie, do you want ice cream?” Carmen shouted across the yard.
His daughter kept a smile on for Carmen. “Sure, bring me one.”
Frankie didn’t acknowledge him. Salvatore didn’t even let that bother him.
Carmen grabbed Frankie’s after Salvatore had already opened hers, but she paused, glancing over at her big brother who stood restlessly in the net. Nico did his best to avoid Salvatore’s stare directly.
“Nico, you?” she asked.
“Uh—”
“Nico can come get his,” Salvatore interjected, making the Carmen look at him questioningly after said instruction. “You go take this one to Frankie.”
“Thanks, Mister Gallo.”
He smiled at the girl beaming up at him. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
Nico waited until his sister found a comfy spot to sit with Frankie on stone benches before coming over to stand in front of Salvatore. “You don’t have to give me that.”
“Do you want it?” he asked.
“I’m more of a gelato kind of guy, really.”
“Me, too,” Sal said, “but the women of the house like these, so...”