Page 5 of Gary

Gary nodded. “I turned it on just before I left.”

“I know you wanted to be alone…”

“I do.”

“What I was thinking was that you could come and crash with me.”

Gary slid him an amused look. “Afraid I am going to run off?”

Graham shook his head. “There are some dangerous people who don’t want to accept the way things are turning.”

“I can take care of myself,” He assured his uncle.

Their meals arrived just then, and the familiar scent of pasta made his mouth water, and his problems temporarily shelved. He attacked the food immediately and declared that it was as good as what he was accustomed to in Italy.

“I told you!” Graham grinned at the sublime look on his nephew’s face. He was happy to see the look of hopeless defeat replaced by a light and happy expression.

“You did.” He settled back and prepared to enjoy the meal. They spoke about inconsequential matters while they ate. Gary felt the tension that had wound tight around his heart lessening as the evening progressed and was happy that he had not changed his mind about coming.

The muted conversations around them and the hustle and bustle of the patrons reminded him of Italy and the village where he had stayed. Accepting the glass of Cabernet, he listened to his uncle telling him snippets of what was going on with some acquaintances.

Chapter 2

“How bad is it?”

The meal had been eaten and the delicious serving of Tiramisu had been consumed with a pot of excellent strong black coffee. Both men had deliberately refrained from talking about the problems facing the family, but now it was time.

“Bad.” Graham said succinctly, eyeing the younger man. “Your father got rid of the gambling hell in both Las Vegas and Manhattan, something that took a hell of a lot of balls. But the partners are not pleased.” He picked up his napkin and twisted it around his fingers absently.

“When George was alive, no one would dare come up against the family, but we are definitely not as scary. George is dead and Grant is dying, which leaves just us.” He flickered a glance at his nephew. “Some might say we are the weak links.”

“They would be wrong.” Years of Moretti arrogance and pride was stamped on Gary’s face. “What’s left?”

His uncle shrugged, gray eyes wandering around the other patrons. It was late, but then it was an Italian restaurant, and they kept the tradition of late dining. “The business is more or less legitimized.” A grimace settled over his attractive features.

“I am ashamed to say that Moretti’s Enterprise was mostly based on ill-gotten gains. There was a lot of bloodshed in the past that cannot be erased. The family is damned and tainted, Gary, and there is no getting around it.”

Picking up his coffee, Gary took a sip and felt the anger simmering inside him. He was part of this family. He had seen what they did and heard enough rumors to know that their arrogance knew no bounds. They strongarmed people into getting what they want, regardless of the consequences.

“It’s still a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.”

“That it is. The restaurants are doing very well, despite the competition. The apartment buildings are top of the line and in high demand.

The plazas, well there are several since you have been away, and they are unique in their designs.” He paused and took a sip of his water, his expression contemplative. “They were leased before the paint was even dry.”

“But that’s not the problem, is it?” Gary surmised.

“No!” Graham shook his head. “It’s the reputation and the sharks circling because they scent blood.” He gave his nephew a frank stare. “Maurice is leading the pack, and you know how ruthless he is.

His daddy put him in charge when he retired, and he is even more ruthless than that son of a bitch was. My brother eased out of the partnership of the casinos with little fanfare and gave up the forty percent shares with no fight and for little to no profit, but that is not enough.

The Moretti’s name was synonymous with fear and destruction, and they are losing power because we have pulled out.” He took another sip of water. “You know how he was as a boy; he is even worse now as a man.”

Gary’s lips tightened at the mention of the name. Maurice Gotti was a bully and had terrorized the kids in that corner of the world. But he feared Gary. Mainly because of the name Moretti which held so much power and respect, but Gary wasn’t a pushover.

“Now he’s in charge…”

“Yes!” Graham took another sip of water.