“Which is exactly why Marchello is digging deep to find whatever he can on him.” I didn’t like that Medina was in my territory. I knew he would eventually come to New York, but I had hoped my father would be home to deal with him. I had enough to do.
“Has Marchello checked in?” Lucas asked.
“Not since Christmas day.” I glanced at my watch. “It’s already next year in Italy. I’m sure he’ll call when he can.”
“I know this holiday season was tough on you with Marchello and your father being away.” Lucas patted my shoulder.
“It is what it is.”
My father had gone underground to take down the sex trafficking ring that Lissia’s father and Collins had brought to our territory. It wasn’t often the head of the organization went undercover to bring down the enemy, but Nico Accetti could be considered unorthodox when it came to running the streets.
When he left, there were two heirs at the helm, but then Marchello and Lissia ran into a situation that required them to flee the country, leaving me to run the empire.
“Make sure we have surveillance on Medina,” I said. “I want to know his every move. We can’t afford any surprises.” There was too much at stake. “We have two shipments to move for Juan next week, and we can’t have any mistakes.”
“I’ll handle Medina,” Lucas said. “You worry about Juan and the cartel. You have to keep them satisfied and prove to them you can handle things with your father and Marchello not being here.”
“Easier said than done,” I said with a sigh. “I also have our friends in Miami who will be expecting us to move their shipments in a week or so.”
“There is no room for error.”
“I don’t plan on making any mistakes.”
“Your family has dropped plenty of responsibility in your lap.” Lucas stood next to me. “It’s a lot for someone your age.”
“I’ve been doing this since I was seventeen.”
I had been learning this cruel business since the day mymother’s car blew up in our driveway with her in it. My father vowed to avenge her death. Twelve years later and we still hadn’t found the person who ordered that hit, but in the process, the Accettis had become the most ruthless crime family on the east coast.
“You still have so much to learn, and I’m not saying that to insult you.”
“I know.”
“Your father isn’t done teaching you everything you need to know. I’m here to help you with whatever you need.”
“Thank you, Lucas. You are a valuable asset to this family.”
My father trusted Lucas with every aspect of our business. He wasn’t just our attorney, he was part of our family.
“You’re doing the work for three now that your father and Marchello are gone. You have the car dealership to maintain, this club, two cartels to manage, and now Medina. If it gets to be too much, you have to tell me.”
“I can handle it.”
“Is there anything you need before I leave for the night?”
“I’m good. Go home and celebrate with your wife,” I said. “Buy her something nice and charge it to me. I’ve been occupying a lot of your time lately.”
“She doesn’t mind.” He smirked. “She likes being rich.”
“Try to have that information about the Flynns as soon as you can.”
“Do you anticipate them being a problem?” Lucas asked. “Should you have taken care of him tonight?”
“No, it’s just that I need more information on them.” I motioned toward the door because I wanted to get a drinkfor midnight. “Find out where they live and who the landlord is. I want to pay their rent.”
“Why?”
“You just said your wife likes being rich,” I said as we walked down the hallway. “Not everyone has that luxury. Chance was in the situation he was in tonight because they couldn’t pay the rent.”