Page 46 of One Savage Union

“Ricci, before you insult me or my uncle any further, you should know that it was my cousin Leo who attempted to kidnapLucia to blackmail you. We caught wind of the idea and stopped him by getting to Lucia first. Leo wants to overthrow the Don and utilize the organization to initiate his violent ascent to power. He needs more manpower to accomplish that and would have used your soldiers to help him.”

Ricci narrows his eyes. “What do you mean, my soldiers? I would lend none of my men to that snake and he knows it!” Matteo hisses.

I nod.

“Yes, he does. However, he also knows you might think differently about his proposition if Lucia were involved. If he truly had her, you might be easier to persuade. I only have your ear now, because I have something of value to you.”

He takes a deep breath, and I watch as Mario pours more Macallan into his glass. After taking a deep gulp, he continues. “So, you usurped his plans and took Lucia instead. You’re putting a price on Leo’s head by telling me this. You want me to believe Romano would have his son killed? Why would he do that?”

“It’s simple. My uncle is tired of cleaning up Leo’s shit and, like you, he believes power and the Romano organization take precedence over his parental duties.”

Ricci doesn’t like my dig. I can tell by the way he’s clenching his hand around his glass. It’s too bad that I don’t give a shit, so I continue.

“Our goal is to save Lucia from his clutches and bring you to our side instead of his.

Our two families need to join forces if we are going to beat Leo and his band of mercenaries without blood filling Chicago’s streets. Is that too hard to imagine? We also have powerful common enemies that would love to see our houses fall, such as the Russians and the Albanians. The last thing we need is to appear weak. That could fuel a war.”

Ricci chuckles harshly. “Why do I need to join forces? What’s in it for me and the Ricci family? The Romanos and the Riccis have coexisted for the last decade with no bloodshed, and it’s suited me just fine. You stay on your side of the city, and I stay on mine. The Russians and the Albanians know if they fuck with the Ricci’s, we’ll erase their scum from the earth. We were left to run the drug racket while your family was granted our construction business and control of the unions. We’ve paid our penance to the Romano’s and we’ve made a successful business. Now you want me to give you some of my men for a girl I barely know? So, some whore I fucked over 20 years ago said she was my daughter. A lot of women died trying to pin less on me. I let Chrisette live.

If you ask me, the last twenty-four years that Lucia has breathed are my gift to her.”

My blood boils. His casual mention of penance for my parents’ death makes me want to break his neck. I also don’t like how he’s talking about Lucia and her mother.

My glass slams on the desk and shatters as I rise from my seat. I keep my two hands on the desk and lean over to keep them from wrapping around his thick neck.

“You should care, fucker, because Leo isn’t just coming for us, he’s coming for every fucking family on the East Coast, including yours. You may not care about your daughter, but I know you care about the disgusting drug empire you’ve built. I don’t buy your calm demeanor. You know both our organizations are vulnerable, which makes our families unsafe. It’s crazy that you can’t see that your daughter is worth three times any of this. If you weren’t her father, I’d shove my pistol so far down your throat it would come out of your ass. Now you’re with us or against us. If you don’t want to help, I’ll reach out to our West Coast allies. The great Matteo Ricci is only a myth if your daughter doesn’t mean more to you than your pride.

His laugh comes quickly, as he claps his hands. He’s genuinely amused.

“That was quite a demonstration, Fieri. You may have a heart beneath that stone chest after all. Since you seem to care so much about her, I will indulge you. But I don’t have to explain my life to you. I did the best I could, so yes, I sent her money. Even if Chrisette wouldn’t take it, she knew it was there. There’s security in knowing there’s a net in case you fall. Financial security is the foundation of success. I guess your father didn’t teach you that one. So she could pretend I had nothing to do with her becoming a teacher or Lucia being one of the finest concert pianists in the world, but I know I did. And I won’t let you destroy what I’ve built. I know you haven’t told her about me; if I were in your place, I would do the same. I’d make myself the center of her world. But I’m letting you know right now when that fucker Leo is done, I’m coming for her, and you won’t stop me. She’s my daughter; la mia carne e il mio sangue.

I hiss my following words with deadly precision. “She may be your flesh and blood, but she’s my wife, and she’s mine. Don’t think for one second you can get her away from me.

I’ll kill you first. If you fuck us over, I’ll make sure you never see her or the light of day again.”

“What about what Lucia wants?”

I scoff.

“What Lucia wants is inconsequential. She knows her place. She’s a Romano now, and her life will be in service to this family, not her father’s. Her sacrifice will usher in one of the greatest mafia alliances in the last fifty years. Once we have an heir, he will cement our ties in blood. We will be unstoppable.”

“You have balls Fieri, I‘ll give you that. You’ve taken my daughter, demanded my cooperation and use of my men, and told me to go fuck myself in more than one way today. You should die a very slow and painful death for your disrespect.”

“I welcome you to try, but I must warn you. It's not an easy win.”

He leans over the desk towards me with clenched fists firmly planted on top of the beautiful wood. “Time will tell how easy it is to kill you, Fieri. In the meantime, what’s the rest of your brilliant plan?”

I rock back into my seat.

“My next move is to go home to my wife and fuck her brains out. However, my capo Mario will stay with you to discuss our next move.”

Ricci exhales and leans back into his chair. He’s an old man who’s been in the game too long. Suddenly, he stands and grabs my arm from across the desk. I hear guns cock all around and for a moment I wonder if I overplayed my hand.

“You better not lose one hair on her head, Fieri. She’s all I got. I’ll cut your balls off and shove them down your throat if any harm comes to her. I need assurance that she’s safe.”

“All I have to give you is my word. She’s never been safer than the moment she became my wife.”

“Keep it that way, or they won’t be able to find a trace of you when I’m done.”

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