Page 139 of Righteous Enforcer
I glance at Alessandro, who nods slightly, encouraging me to speak. "What do you get from this alliance, Don Vitale? The Russians haven't bothered your territory."
"Not yet. But Ivan is ambitious. Today, your family, tomorrow, mine."
Enrico’s gaze takes in my brother’s office, his eyes shining with what looks like anticipation.
“What does this alliance look like?” Alessandro asks.
“We share resources.” Vitale presses his hand on his chest like he’s making a vow. "My men are ready whenever you are."
Ready for what, exactly? He hasn't proposed any specific plan.
“You have a shipment coming Friday, right?” Marco says.
The hairs on my neck stand up. I glance at Alessandro, whose gaze has narrowed on Marco. “How would you know that?”
Marco laughs. “You know dock workers. All have big mouths, isn’t that right, Enrico?”
“That’s right.”
“We’ve got an issue with some of our construction sites not far from your territory. I help you guard that shipment from the Bratva, you help me keep them out of my construction projects. Win-win.”
Alessandro leans forward. “Do you have specific intel on the Bratva that suggests they’re targeting us?”
“They’re Bratva, aren’t they?” Enrico says in a tone that suggests Alessandro is a moron.
Alessandro ignores him. It’s not the wisest move. Someday, Enrico will be Don, and he’ll likely want Alessandro to pay for disrespecting him. Still, Enrico is an entitled weasel.
“No, no… nothing specific, but Enrico is right. It’s no secret that the Bratva have a hard-on for you. What better way to get at you than this shipment coming Friday?”
“I’ll consider it,” Alessandro says. “Give me a day.”
“Absolutely.” Marco rises from his chair. “But not too long. I’ll need time to get my men organized for Friday.”
“I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”
They shake, and Marco and Enrico leave Alessandro’s office.
Something about this doesn’t feel right.
The Vitales and Dantes never had any issues until my father died and Marco decided to test Alessandro’s vigor as a Don.
It didn’t go well for him. Since then, relations have been cool. But you wouldn’t know it from the way Marco Vitale acted today.
"That was interesting," I say, leaning against Alessandro's desk.
My brother loosens his tie, pouring himself a drink. "Vitale's never been this friendly before."
"You noticed that too?" I take the glass he offers. "How'd he know about Friday’s shipment? No fucking way dockworkers are gossiping."
Alessandro's eyes narrow. "Could be coincidence."
"Bullshit. There is no coincidence in our world."
"Fair point." Alessandro swirls his drink, but his expression tells me he’s thinking about taking this deal.
“Alessandro, we don’t need them. Especially not them. They’ll use this against us. I swear to fuck Enrico was measuring your office, like he’s planning to be in charge once his father gets rid of the Dantes.”
“Maybe, but this alliance could be what we need now. The Bratva's been like termites, eating away at us. If Vitale wants to throw his resources behind us?—"
