Page 7 of Takedown in Savannah
“The rec?”
“Recommendation. I just left Elvira’s office. I’ve been promoted to night supervisor of security. Already got a whole team in place.”
“Good for you. Congratulations.” Carlita patted his arm. “You deserve it.”
“Way to go.” Tony gave him a fist bump. “Movin’ on up, brother.”
“You betcha.” Luigi sobered. “Speaking of moving, word on the street is the San Maris Gang is moving our way, to Walton Square.”
“What exactly does that mean?” Carlita asked. “They’re going to target us to sell drugs to our friends and neighbors?”
“Peddling drugs, stealing stuff and bringing their criminal activities to our doorstep.”
“Meaning you’re here to warn us the members might target the pawn shop and try lifting merchandise with sticky fingers,” Tony said.
“From what I’ve heard, it’s part of their MO.”
“There’s not much they can do at Ravello’s other than stiff us and not pay for a meal,” Carlita said.
“I wouldn’t put anything past them. Per Elvira, Walton Square is officially part of my designated territory. I plan on beefing up patrols starting tonight.”
Tony thanked him for the warning.
“No problem. I’m meeting with my new team now.” Luigi assured them he would work hard to protect his home turf before taking off.
With his warning ringing in her ears, Carlita made a beeline for Mercedes’ upstairs apartment, only steps away from the pawn shop.
She reached the landing and found Autumn Winter’s door ajar. The tinkle of women’s laughter echoed in the hall.
Carlita gave the door a light rap.
Autumn appeared. “Hey, Mrs. T.”
“Hello, Autumn. Is Mercedes around?”
Mercedes peeked around the corner. “Hey, Ma.”
“Luigi stopped by to warn us about the San Maris Gang creeping closer to Walton Square. You were right. The drug bagswe’re finding could belong to them. You two need to be careful, especially if you’re out and about at night.”
Mercedes’ eyes clouded with concern. “Have you warned Sam and Cool Bones?”
“I stopped here first. I’ll check to see if they’re home. If not, I’ll send a group text.” Carlita crossed the hall, knocking on Cool Bones’ door first and then Sam Ivey’s door. Neither was at home, so she sent a quick text, giving them a heads up.
After finishing, Carlita ran next door to the family’s restaurant, and found Arnie, her general manager, meeting with a group of servers. Not wanting to interrupt, she gave a friendly wave and settled in at her desk.
Getting down to business, she checked the restaurant’s inventory and placed her weekly food order. Next on her to-do list was the employee payroll. She checked the numbers, confirmed the payments and logged out of the system.
While she worked, concern over the San Maris Gang lingered in the back of Carlita’s mind. Juggling several businesses was tough enough without having to worry about hoodlums showing up to steal, rob or destroy what she’d worked so hard to build.
Not to mention, so much of what Carlita held dear lived within the city block—her children and grandchildren.
She and Pete might also find themselves on the gang’s radar, considering the Parrot House Restaurant and their apartment were on the edge of Walton Square.
Hopefully, the authorities were working on a plan to take the troublemakers down, making Savannah’s streets and squares safe once again.
It eased Carlita’s mind to know Luigi would be nearby with his team, keeping a watchful eye on their neighborhood. Theformer mobster had a keen nose for trouble. Luigi was the kind of person you didn’t want to mess with.
Throwing in the fact that Elvira had created Fort Knox-level security, along with the security system in her own businesses, Carlita reminded herself she should rest comfortably knowing her family and businesses were safe.
