Page 49 of Fall
16
Antonio
It takes extra effort to hold my lane as I drive the boss’s SUV in the opposite direction from the planned itinerary.
Instead of heading northeast to Manhattan, we’re on our way to a car he stashed in a long term airport parking lot in South Philly.
Romano is deviating from the plan he shared.
He's going underground, and I'm the only person who knows.
According to him, it’s for the best. No one can know where he is.
"I'll do what I can to negotiate a deal with Mauro while I'm hiding," he says in an alarmingly smooth tone. "I'm still leaving you in charge. Once I'm safe, send instructions to the Pinuccis, then mymother and Natalia."
“All right, boss,” I answer.
He turns his upper body to me from his spot in the front seat, and I glance over to meet his gaze for a second. “Make sure no harm comes to them.”
My boss is a dangerous man. I've never seen him afraid, but today all I see on his face is fear.
“I will,” I tell him, holding his stare.
“Do you think I’m being toocautious?” he asks, and it’s the first time the man has looked to me for an opinion since this issue with Mauro came about.
I shake my head. “Can’t be too careful, really.”
"That's right," he agrees. "My old man used to say that the second you think everything's going smoothly is exactly the time to worry. A reasonable amount of paranoia is expected in this business. To be paranoid,it means that you're careful. It means that you're considering all the different possibilities and contingencies, and you're mitigating all threats, and reducing all risks. But you can never remove all risks. There's always some curveball that can come out of nowhere and throw you right on your ass. So paranoia is the only way to survive." He looks out his window, seeming pensive for a while."We won't be safe if we're all together. That's why I'm okay with my mother going back to Italy. She's not a target when she's alone. I'm the target. And because Natalia is everything to me, Mauro's partners might think about using Natalia to get to me." Nodding, I glance over as he turns to look at me. "Your top priority is to protect my family. I'm counting on you, Antonio. You're the only one Itrust."
“Yes, boss,” I say. “As long as I’m breathing, you can depend on me to keep them safe.”
“Good.”
The rest of the ride is eerily silent. It’s as though my promise echoes around us, hanging in the air, reminding me of what matters most. At the airport long-term parking, Romano directs me to a rusty old Chevy Trailblazer that looks like it’s been gathering dust since thenineties. He hops out before I can bring the SUV to a complete stop, his eyes darting in every direction to be sure we’re not being watched. I can tell he feels rushed, from the way he hurries over to the wheel well on the front passenger side and reaches for something.
“Everything’s in the trunk,” he tells me, holding up a key as I hop out of the SUV. “Here's what I need you to do. Afteryou leave here, make sure that Natalia leaves on the private charter flight with Vinny and the man you choose from the protection detail. I want you to remain at the house as planned. I am handing you all of the keys, Antonio. I have access. You have access. Cristiano has access. But you are the one who has control of the entire enterprise while I'm gone. If you don't hear from me within a month,you should probably be worried. Do you understand what I'm telling you?”
I swallow hard to form the words, and I know deep down, it’s the guilt lurking around because I’ve already betrayed his trust by messing around with Natalia. But even though I’m keeping that secret, my promise to this family is the same.
“Yes, boss,” I tell him with conviction. “I'm in control while you're gone.The family, the operation, the assets, the money... everything.”
"Exactly. I want you to run this business the way you've seen me do it. Tend to the shop, so to speak. And by that, I mean that I want you to keep it going the way it's been."
“I will.”
“And keep Natalia safe. My mother should be safe in Italy. But Natalia, people will come for her to get to me. Or to controlyou.”
“I won’t let that happen,” I tell him confidently.
“And you need to watch your back. Choose the men that you think will support you no matter what. And I don’t think this will be an issue, but if you have the slightest hint of a suspicion that anyone’s coming after you, take whatever steps you need to keep your brothers safe as well. This is how the organization works. Familycan become the very thing they use to force your hand.”
“Okay.”
The boss opens the trunk, and lifts out two of the four identical black duffel bags inside. He hands them to me. “Use as much of this as you, Natalia, and the men need.”
“All right.”
He follows me as I head back to place the bags in the back seat of the SUV. The hot, stifling Philly air hangs around us,adding to the weight of the moment. He rests a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Keep my daughter safe. Make sure the staff takes good care of my dog. Watch your back. Don't say a word of anything to anyone. Not until I’m back.”
“I will, boss.”
I watch as Romano transfers his things from the SUV to the Chevy.
This is not goodbye, but it fucking feels like it.
