Page 36 of Wicked Truths
Since Rhett, Joey, and Dad want to keep me in the dark, there’s only one person left for me to ask. I grab my phone and dial Uncle Tony’s number.
He answers after the third ring, sounding out of breath, like he had to run to the phone before his voicemail picked up. “Principessa, how come youhaven’t come to see me yet? Are they keeping you locked up? Do I need to come rescue you?”
I let out a chuckle and lean back against the couch cushions. “No, I’ve just been busy with my new job. It takes a lot of energy to keep that many men in line and the business in good standing with the community.”
The newspaper article about Dad being a former mafia boss hasn’t sat well with the community. They want the Savannah Sharks to stay a family oriented establishment and think Dad will only bring crime to the sport.
Uncle Tony yells at one of his employees before saying, “You’ve only been here for a few days and the team is already causing problems?”
I let out a long sigh and close my eyes. “More than I ever imagined they would.”
“It sounds like you need to ask for a raise, or quit and come work for me. A pretty face like yours would look great as an assistant manager for the restaurant.”
This isn’t the first time he’s offered me a job. “Thanks Uncle Tony, but you know I’d eat non-stop if I worked there.”
His food is always homemade and fresh. It’s definitely better than what I’ve been eating this week.
“There’s plenty of food andworkhere for you. You’re family, Principessa, and family sticks together.”
I catch the subtle change in his tone. He’s moved on from me being the assistant manager of the restaurant to me working for his side of the mafia business.
It’s more like I’d be working with him and not for him. Sure, he’s in charge of the business, but he treats me like an equal. Just like he treats his own son, AJ and his daughter, Angelica. He’s never played favorites.
Over the past two years, I’ve considered working for him full time and not letting anyone know, but deep down it feels like I’d be betraying Dad and Joey. We all might be family, but Dad and Uncle Tony conduct their businesses differently.
“Speaking ofwork.” I pause and glance around my empty apartment as if someone can overhear my conversation.
“Are you looking forwork?”
“I’m looking for information that I think you can help with.”
“Hold on while I move to my office phone.” The line goes silent before his voice comes back through. “What kind of information are you looking for?”
“It’s about a recent acquisition that Dad and Joey wouldn’t talk about.”
“Let me guess, they don’t want you to know about the club?”
“Yeah. Hell, I didn’t know about the club until the meeting on Monday, and I just found what I think is the club on a map because no one wants to tell me shit.”
My breathing gets faster as anger builds. I’m not a porcelain doll that will break if they fill me in on what’s going on.
“Well, what do you want to know?”
“Anything. Everything. Is it the King’s Empire?”
Commotion comes through the other side of the line, like something is being thrown or broken in the background. A man yells something and I can’t tell if it’s aimed at Uncle Tony or someone else.
What the hell is going on over there?
“I’ll answer any questions you have, but I need to go handle something right now.”
“Can you at least tell me if that’s the correct club?” That will help me know if I’m on the right track and can dig deeper into King’s Empire.
“Your research hasn’t steered you wrong before, Principessa. I doubt you’ll even need me to answer your questions, but come on by the restaurant later if you still have questions.”
“Thanks Uncle Tony.”
I hang up the phone and open a new browser window. Not two seconds later, my phone rings.