Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“I hacked your account. I had a suspicion, so I’ve been underpaying you the last few jobs. When you said nothing, I hacked the account,” I reply.
“Bella, you do know that’s an invasion of my privacy?” he chuckles.
I’ve become a great hacker since starting my business. I was subpar before then. I had watched enough videos for the basics.
Now, I would call myself an expert. I bet I could match Michael or Annabella’s skills. Again, Uri shared information with me when I asked about my family.
I have learned a lot about who they are and what they do. What he doesn’t tell me, I use my skills to find out. I smile as I think of Uri.
I never get the sense that he tells me things because he thinks I don’t or won’t understand. It’s more like he wants me to know and understand who we are. It’s not like when others speak around me, assuming my intelligence is too low to comprehend what’s said or how to apply the knowledge.
I’m okay with that. I have used it to my advantage. Needing to know more about organized crime organizations, I’ve inserted myself into a low-level Irish family here in Boston.
They hired me for my computer skills, but I have played my role and have come to earn their respect or at least their tolerance, leading to my presence in meetings they probably wouldn’t allow me in if they knew better.
I understand the ins and outs of a family like mine much better. Uri has filled in the blanks for the things I found challenging at first. Most of which were more of a cultural difference.
The Italians do things a bit differently. I believe I’ve learned of ways to help Michael and my grandfather run my family more efficiently. I will share these things when the time is right.
“What privacy is there between us? You know everything about me, and I know everything about you. You have spent your life with me, so tell me, why is my money no good for you?”
“You misunderstand. It is not that your money isn’t good enough. It is that I don’t believe I have earned it. You do all the work. I only helped you get started.”
“You drive me to every job. You have kept my secrets. You tell me when you feel I should pass on a job. You were the one to get me in with the O’Shea family. You have earned it,” I say firmly.
“Connecticut is such an easy place to travel through. I will get you to rehearsal early this evening, or do you wish to make a stop?”
“Traffic will make us late if I deviate from the scheduled course. I will go straight to rehearsal. I can shower there and be on time.”
“As you wish, boss.”
I grumble under my breath. I have not missed his avoidance. We will discuss this at a later time.
CHAPTER 28
APeace Offering
Uri
“To what do I owe this visit, mate?” I ask as Sam Mairettie appears in my club.
I sit back in my private booth and spread my arms across the back of the plush booth seat. I came down to the main floor to monitor a situation that got my attention from upstairs. Once the wanker saw me enter the main floor, he and his mates left my establishment.
I decided to sit for a bit and let my presence be known. I wasn’t expecting to see this guy walk into my club. He’s actually the last face I expected to see.
I’ve been keeping my distance from the Locatelli family since I was denied the right to hush Leonardo Trovati. I have nothing else to say to them. I’m not into underworld politics.
I don’t have it in me to play nice with everyone. Especially when I’m the only one required to make concessions. However, he has come all this way, so I will listen at least.
He lifts his hand and beckons one of his men forward. Being a capo looks good on him. I see before me more than the pompous, wet behind the ears, entitled boy who tried to establish his rank when I first met him.
This man standing in my club tonight might earn my full respect someday. His reputation has paved the way so far. However, it will be his character that seals the deal with me.
“I come with a gift from me to you. You might want to open it under a little privacy,” he says as his guy holds up a gold case.
I tilt my head to the side curiously. I’ve heard about LaSalle and his golden gift boxes. I too, have an affinity for the flair of sending such gifts. If I’m right, his words of warning hold validity.
“Come, we will go up to my office. We will have privacy there. Choose only one of your men to follow. You will both be disarmed before we reach the office suite. Choose wisely,” I say and stand, buttoning my suit jacket.