Page 73 of Princess's Revenge
“What can I tell you, Josh? That’s the way my father wants it.”
“Your father is an old man, Anthony. He’s not thinking clearly. He’s stepped down. That means he has an equal, if not less of an equal say in what happens from here on out.”
Andrea gestures again—Go on.
I say, “So, what are you asking me?”
“I’m asking you to do the right thing.”
“For who?”
“For all of us, Anthony,” he’s slow and patient, “all of us. Nobody wants to go to war over this thing. She’s not right forour thing.You know that.Youought to step up. As far as I’m concerned, you’re the one who’s next in line. You deserve it. It should be you in the big chair.”
“Uh huh?”
“I’m going to be honest with you here, out of respect to your old man, out of respect tothe formerDon Lupertazzi, some of the fellas, Don Cassaduchi himself included…they’re reluctant to do what needs to be done.”
“Yeah?”
“However, if certain things should happen, no one would lose any sleep, if you take my meaning?”Fucking asshole.I think everybody feels the exact same way about him. I can think of at least three captains on their side who would happily put a bullet in him for free.
But…there are rules. You can’t raise your hands on amade guy.
Andrea smiles and gestures again—Keep him going.
“I see, except I fail to see what I’ll be getting out of this, Josh?”
“Listen, I’m willing to make certain concessions. Concessions that will be highly lucrative for all parties involved moving forward. There are big things in the works. Things your family wasn’t going to be a part of…but with this other thing out of the way…youcouldbe.”
“That’s not your call to make,” I tell him, “That’s up to Don Cassaduchi.”
“The old man is on his way out, you know that, you saw what he’s like. It could be any day now. That’s another reason why he’s in no rush to put this thing to bed, he’s at the tail end of a long tenure. He doesn’t want his last days wrought with peril. Just remember, when he’s gone, it’s going to be me in the big chair.”
“And then?”
“And then, things are going to be very different,” he sounds like he’s getting angry. “I won’t be taking orders; I’ll begivingthem. So, I’m making you a one-time offer, Anthony. Take care of this for me.”
I decide to take the initiative.“Yeah—Whenhe’s gone,” I say.“The problem is if I do what you’re asking and he holds on for another five years, I’m the one who’s getting screwed here. I’ll be dealing with him, not you. I won’t get what you’re promising. Five years is a long time.”
There’s a long pause. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting, Anthony?”
“I’m notsuggestinganything. I’m just telling you how it is—No deal.But, should something happen to him,God forbid,that would be a different story.”
“Anthony, I want to be clear here. Are you asking me to do this thing for you?”I’ve got him where I want him. If he thinks I’m asking him to kill his boss, he’ll trust me to kill mine.
“It only seems fair, considering what you’re asking ofme.”
Andrea taps a message out on her phone—Tell him you want him to deliver Don Cassaduchi to you tonight, by himself. You’ll deliver me. Tell him to do it under false pretenses. He can tell the Don he reached out to you and that we’re going to meet where there are no witnesses.
I smile. Clever girl. This might work.
“You don’t seem like your heart’s in it anymore, Josh. We can always forget this conversation ever happened and go on with our lives as normal.”
“FUCK GOING ON!” The frustration is really getting to him. I hear him sigh. “Okay, what do you suggest?”
Here we go.“Tell Don Cassaduchi that we want to meet. Somewhere we won’t be seen. I’ll bring Donna Lupertazzi, you bring him.”
“How the fuck am I going to convince him to do that?”He’s really on the ropes now.