explain their significance.
“The city needs new territorial boundaries,” she began as she lined up the rings. “I ask only that if you decide on a piece of the drug trade, you do it with someone other than the Luis family.”
“They’re the best connected, so why?” Vinny asked. “They could help us make a lot of money.”
“His nephew has a problem with respect, especially when it comes to my wife and her needs. Do business with him if you like, but understand I won’t respect that boundary.” She stared at Vinny. “If he goes near Emma again, I’ll serve that bastard’s dick to his uncle on a plate and force him to choke on it.”
“Understood, Cain,” Vincent cut in with a glare for his son. “After the gift of new enterprises you’ve opened up for us, we can abide by that. Ramon?”
“Our interests are elsewhere at the moment, so we have no problem.”
His children nodded in agreement.
“Be careful with these people, though,” Ramon said. “They may look gentle, but Juan Luis is nothing but a butcher.” He cut his eyes to both Vinny and Cain. “He learned all his cruelty at his uncle’s knee. Rodolfo drinks in my club, but I’ll never have anything to do with him.”
“Well,” Vinny said, “someone has to control the drug trade in the city, or it won’t matter how aligned we are. The money involved can build an organization strong enough to topple us all. That’s what Giovanni and his sons were after.” Even though he spoke out of turn again, his words rang true.
“It sounds like something you might be interested in.” Cain threw the comment out as a test.
“Not if all of you are against it, but I’m warning you about letting some unknown get too well established. The city already runs red from those who want in and are willing to take a chance.”
Like their fathers, Cain and Vinny had grown up together and more than understood each other. Ramon might have not had a history, but his children had a long one with the next generation. Remi and Mano had known Cain and Vinny since they were six, so the four of them would back each other up even if the majority of them didn’t agree with a venture.
“What if we offered our protection as far as moving the stuff?” Remi said. “I think like Cain. If the drug trade doesn’t touch our businesses, we might negotiate with someone like Vinny, if he’s willing to take the chance.”
Remi had enough of her father’s trust to speak for him.
“What cut?” Vinny asked.
Vincent and Ramon looked at each other and smiled as their children set their courses for the future. Judging from Vinny’s question, the deal was done if the terms were agreeable.
“Twenty-five for us, twenty-five for Cain,” Remi offered, and Cain nodded.
“Done.” Vinny laughed and stood to shake hands with his allies.
Just then a team of agents led by Annabel Hicks entered the restaurant and headed for the private dining room.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Lou was the first to intercept them before they reached the door. “Good evening, Agent Hicks.”
“It’s nice to be so well known.” Annabel spoke almost as if she were joking with him and had no choice but to stop, since the man was so large. “Step aside or we’ll move you. I don’t care how intimidating you think you are.”
“Is there a problem?” Lou asked.
“Open the door,” commanded Annabel, Anthony Curtis at her elbow.
“Can I see a warrant?” Lou didn’t seem fazed and didn’t budge. “Since you can’t answer a simple question, maybe your reason for being here is written on that.”
“The lady said move.” Anthony put two hands in the center of Lou’s chest and shoved. Considering Lou’s size, Annabel was shocked when he went flying into a table where a waiter had just served four heaping bowls of pasta.
The bigger shock came when Vincent came to the door and opened it himself. “What the hell is going on out here?”
“Where’s Casey?” Anthony demanded, his words dying on his lips when he saw that smug smile from behind Vincent. “You can’t be here.”
“Agent Hicks, I want an explanation,” the elder Carlotti continued.
They all watched as the diners who’d cushioned Lou’s fall were helped off the floor by a team of waiters. The hot oil and garlic on one of the pasta dishes had splashed on Lou’s face, forming angry red splotches.
“We have reason to believe,” Annabel started, grimacing when the rest of the group they thought was missing came out as well, “that you have some illegal liquor on the premises. We have a warrant to check your licenses.”
“Be careful, Vincent. The last time this happened to me I caught a bullet with my chest,” Cain said.
Annabel was one of the only people in the place who didn’t laugh. “That was uncalled for, Ms. Casey.”
“You aren’t kidding, Agent.” This time any lightheartedness bled out of Cain’s voice.
“Dominic, get the paperwork, then get my attorney on the phone,” Vincent ordered. With a sneer, he looked at Annabel like a shark regarding a wounded fish. “How do you feel about Anchorage, Agent Hicks? Because once I’m done with you, you’ll be investigating bear shit for the rest of your career.”
