Page 32 of Single Malt Drama
Marco
If I livedto see my hundredth birthday, I would never figure out women. Nico had all but made me take a blood oath not to tell anyone about her father’s strangle hold on the Fratellanza and his plans to force Enzo to take Gabe’s place as capo after he and Nico were married. Three hours later, she’d told Gabe herself.
Avoiding my gaze, Nico sat back, folded her hands, and said, “I’m not sure what if any of this Enzo knows.”
“Not much, or he would have said something to me by now,” Gabe said.
He had that right. Enzo had outright asked Gabe to step aside and let him take my father’s position. If Enzo had any idea Pietro Lazio would back his proposal, he would have used it as leverage.
Nico frowned at the speakerphone. “Are you going to tell him?”
“No, he’s not.” I had no idea what she was playing at, but I didn’t like the idea of either of them sweetening the marriage deal. While I didn’t want to believe Enzo would kick Shanna to the curb for a seat at the mafia-big-boy’s-table, I couldn’t be sure.
Gabe sighed. “Nico, I’m not your father. I’m not forcing anyone to make a decision based on fear. I want all of us out of this shit, but if Enzo chooses to stay in, that’s on him. It won’t be because of some fucked up sense of obligation to keep the rest of us safe.”
She rubbed her fingers over her lips. “I will go along with whatever Enzo wants.”
“The hell you will.” Has she lost her mind? “After everything you went through to break free, you’d go back?”
Nico winced as if I’d struck her. “I’m not like you. I didn’t grow up in America. Sicily is my home. If the Abruzzos rule the five families…” She shook her head. “Innocent people will suffer.”
“So you’re going to what? Offer yourself up as sacrifice?”
Gabe’s voice rose, “Marco, chill the hell out. Let’s talk to Enzo before we crucify anyone.”
“There’s more you need to know. Shanna has video footage of Sophia Abruzzo paying off Mayor Clark,” Nico said. “They are likely making a play to take over your New Orleans operations. We can’t let that happen.”
“No. We can’t.” His voice turned to steel.
Shanna came into the office alone. “Hi Gabe. Sorry I’m late to the party. Have Marco and Nico caught you up on the situation with the Abruzzos?”
“Thanks for joining us, Shanna.” He sighed. “I’m not thrilled that Enzo shared as much as he did about the family business with you, but what’s done is done.”
“Considering Maggie knows just about everything, that’s rather hypocritical of you.” Enzo marched in and sat in my father’s chair.
Seeing him behind the desk made my heart sink. He’s already acting like he’s in charge. He’s going to agree to the marriage. Not because he cares about Nico, because he wants to run the show.
“I told Maggie the truth about us the night I proposed.” Gabe sounded defensive.
I glanced between Enzo and Shanna. I hadn’t stopped to consider how difficult it would be to tell a woman about the family business. Yet another reason I found Nico appealing. She understood the situation in ways outsiders couldn’t. Hell, she understood it better than I did.
Enzo said, “You shared our secrets with her because you loved her and planned to spend the rest of your life with her. Funny…I did much the same.”
Nico’s mouth fell open, and she turned to me. For the first time since we’d argued upstairs, I thought I knew what she was thinking. Enzo had admitted he was in love with Shanna—which could possibly put an end to Pietro Lazio’s demands.
However, the object of his affections did not seem impressed. Shanna rolled her eyes and shook her head. I had no idea what had happened between the two of them while they were out, but it obviously wasn’t good. They’d seemed so happy together before they’d left the house. Hell, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, so much so, I was sure they’d worn ruts in the bedroom floor.
What the hell happened?
Gabe said, “Right. Now can we discuss the Abruzzos?”
“By all means.” Enzo stared at Shanna, but she turned away.
“I knew the Abruzzos were going to be a problem, but I didn’t see this coming.” Gabe paused, likely still processing the information. “My guess is they want to take our place in New Orleans.”
That he’d used Nico’s words made me nervous. Gabe was feeding Enzo the information we discussed to see if he’d bite—to see if he wanted our father’s position and everything that went along with it.
Gabe said, “Enzo, I’d like to hear your thoughts on this.”