Page 31 of Dirty Deeds

“Look, Pop, Nico told me about Matthews. He also told me that Uncle Jack was handling it.”

His eyebrows hit his hairline and he grips the arms of the chair.

“Oh, did he now?”

I sigh.

“Whatever is going on with you and Uncle Jack, that’s between the two of you. It ain’t my business.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, kid. You want to know how your Uncle Jack handled the situation? He went behind my back, hired some thug no one has ever heard of, and ordered him to kill a fucking congressional candidate.”

My eyes widen.

“Uncle Jack put a hit out on Danica’s ex-husband?”

“He sure did.”

“Well, he obviously didn’t do the job yet. Just tell him to call it off.”

“Oh, he didajob, just notthejob. While you were in the pen, news broke that Matthews’ business partner was attacked. He’s in Staten Island University Hospital. In a fucking coma.”

“Are you saying he got the wrong guy?”

“For someone who doesn’t break the law, you’re pretty good at connecting the dots. And your mother was pissed we didn’t send you to college.” He sighs. “The guy got picked up before you, and Parrish called Schwartz to get him out. That’s why he sent the girl lawyer.”

“Finley.”

“Whatever. Your case isn’t the only one she’s working. Parrish also decided to get involved with some guys we did work with in the past, something about Yankovich and the human trafficking ring that just won’t seem to fucking die.” He waves his hand dismissively. “That doesn’t matter, though. Don’t get me wrong, if I learn that someone is trying to resurrect Yankovich’s organization, I’ll be the first one in line to bring it down. But that’s a club matter. We bring that shit to the table and we act as a unit.”

I don’t say anything. While I may not wear my father’s colors, I know all the players in the game and the Yankovich family were as brutal as they come. They terrorized some of the brother’s women and fucked with little kids. They undoubtedly were the worst of mankind.

“I shouldn’t be unloading all of this on you,” he continues, pausing to stare at me for a moment. “I had Brent Matthews under control. I was just waiting until I had something solid to make my move.”

“Really? Then why the hell did you go to Danica’s house and threaten her and her brother?”

“I needed to be sure she wasn’t working with him. It’s a little convenient, don’t you think? You and her spend the night together, then a couple of days later she’s on television, showing her support for her ex, making pledges to your brother’s charity.”

“That didn’t stop you from taking the money.”

“Damn straight I took their money and I got news for you, I’m gonna get back every cent that prick robbed, because he didn’t rob from me. He robbed from the kids we help on a daily basis. The battered women who seek shelter from us. The addicts who have lost everything, but still pray for second chances. The mentally ill people who battle to function every day. He stole from them!” He shakes his head. “And he used my son’s good name to do it.” He drags in a deep breath. “If the money is green, it doesn’t matter where it comes from, Enzo. It still does the job. As far as the girl goes, I was just looking out for you. I won’t apologize for that.”

“I don’t need you to look out for me. I’m a grown man. And you damn well should apologize. Not to me, but to her.”

“Oh, fuck off with that shit. You’re my son. I only got two left. I’ll protect you and Nico until I draw my last breath. What I don’t need is for you to make that any harder than it already is, which means you need to stay away from that woman out there. At least until I can get a handle on this.”

“I can’t do that.”

I especially can’t do that knowing how truly fucked up this situation is. Nico did the right thing warning me about Uncle Jack’s involvement seeing as his hired guy hit the wrong mark. It could be Danica in the hospital with a coma.

“Son, I don’t need to tell you there’s a lot of fish in the sea. Go find yourself one that ain’t going to get your ass thrown in jail. You’ve worked too hard and sacrificed too much to wind up exactly where you never wanted to be.”

I stare at my old man.

“She has a brother. You know that because you used it against her.”

His eyebrows draw together making the lines on his forehead more prominent.

“So?”

---