Page 67 of Craving Chaos
Gino and I talk business once we’re in the car headed to my place. He assumed control in my absence, and it sounds like everything went relatively smoothly. He’s a well-respected capo in our organization. His authority wouldn’t be questioned. In fact, some probably thought he was better suited for the job.
My father told me when he first promoted me to underboss that he’d offered the position to Gino first, and my uncle had respectfully declined. He would have accepted if it had only meant being underboss, but the role is essentially training to become boss, and Gino was adamant he didn’t want that sort of spotlight. With four kids and a wife he adores, he felt the position came with too much risk.
Despite his reservations, he assumed the role in my absence to protect me because he knew anyone else who stepped in would be reluctant to hand over control when I returned. It’s an incredibly honorable sacrifice he made, even if only temporary. And it makes me wonder if having walked that path for a few weeks might have changed his perspective. If it was needed, would he accept the role now on a more permanent basis? The possibility gives me plenty to consider.
Being back in my apartment eases some of my physical tension, but my emotions are as tumultuous as ever. My mood is somber and introspective. I don’t watch television or play music. I don’t particularly want to distract myself from my brooding thoughts. Instead, I pour a glass of wine and watch the sun set over Manhattan outside my windows.
Exhaustion hits hard as darkness falls and the wine soaks in. I’m in bed before nine o’clock, and it’s even worse than sleeping at the hotel. At least then I knew Shae was one wall away. Here in the city, she could be anywhere.
“The only working camera recorded a truck driving past, but we couldn’t see the plates or who was in it,” Gino tells me the next day when we sit down to talk more in-depth. “It was a safe assumption that it was involved in your disappearance because there’s not much traffic over there, but we had nothing else to go on. It was a dead end.”
“We were afraid of that.” I lean further back in my desk chair and sip from my coffee. “Like we told you on the plane back here, we suspect they’re Albanian. The Irish have some sort of beef with them.”
“Well, they fuckin’ have beef with us now, too.” He snarls.
“Yeah, but I’m not starting a war unless I know for sure. I think I can figure out what airstrip we were taken to. They were established in that hangar, which should mean there’s rental records at the very least. And if needed, I can try to find the crash site. With the right equipment, we could get inside.” It wouldn’t be pretty, but it would be worth it if I could get some names. One way or another, I will find those bastards.
“That could take a while,” Gino points out.
“I know, and I’m not going to lose my head going after them, but I need to give it a shot.” Not just for me but for Shae. This feels like one of the few things I can do to help in my campaign to win her back. Two birds with one stone.
“You’re the boss and the one who was taken. You tell us what you want to do, and we’ll make it happen.”
“Let’s see what I can learn from here first, then determine if we want to head north.”
He nods and drinks from his steaming mug. I use the opportunity to introduce the delicate subject of leadership in the family.
“I want to talk to you about something I was mulling over last night.”
“Yeah, sure. What is it?”
“Dad told me that you didn’t want to be the face of the organization, but that was back when I was promoted to underboss. A good amount of time has gone by since then. Kids are a little older. And you’ve had the opportunity to test the position for a few weeks. I was wondering if your opinion has changed any.”
He studies me, his lips thinning. “Why would you ask me a question like that? You think I might betray you like Fausto did your father?”
“No! That wasn’t it at all.” I don’t want to go into detail about everything, but it seems I’ll have to. “I had a lot of time to think while I was out there.”
“You don’t want to be boss?”
“It’s not that either. Shae and I went through a lot together—”
“Ohhh.” His head tips back in understanding. “Okay, now I’m starting to get it. You fell for the Irish spitfire. That’s a tricky one.” Leave it to Gino to call it like it is.
“No shit.” I run my hands through my hair. The motion makes me think of Shae washing my hair. It’s never-ending. Every-fucking-thing makes me think of her. She’s everywhere around me except beside me, where she belongs. “She doesn’t want to give up her role in the Byrne business, and I wouldn’t want her to. Not when she loves it so much.”
“But you’d consider stepping down for her?”
The audacity in his tone raises my defenses. “I don’t know what I’d consider,” I snap.
Gino waves a hand at me. “I shouldn’t be so critical. My family was the whole reason I didn’t want the job. Your issue is essentially the same, though the job is already yours.”
“Except for the past three weeks, when you filled those shoes rather admirably.” I level him with a pointed stare.
He considers me, staring intently as indiscernible thoughts pass behind his eyes. “Alright, look. I’ll give it some thought, but I won’t promise you anything.”
“No reason to promise when I haven’t officially asked,” I offer softly with a smirk.
“Good, we’ll both think about it. And in the meantime, let’s see if we can’t find the fuckers who did this.”