Page 23 of The Agreement

“I’m sorry, please don’t let me stop you two.”

“Please Salvatore, it’s okay, what’s going on?” Vinny took another step away but made no move to let Val go. And though it wasn’t common for women to be privy to the workings of the business, he had every intention of Val looking over some of this stuff.

“I just got a call about the deal.”

“Okay, and?” Vinny urged his man. Salvatore shot a look at Val but Vinny wasn’t releasing his hold.

“According to my sources, we are all set.”

“And you are sure I don’t have to be there?” Vinny confirmed.

“No boss, I got it all under control. The shipment will be in at 11:30 and the men will be ready to roll.” Val looked between the two men and crossed her arms.

“May I ask what’s going down?”

“A gun run.”

“Ah, okay,” she said, so offhandedly.

“Is that information you had with your dad?” Vinny asked as he looked down at her.

“Not guns Vinny, my dad wasn’t into that. Drugs and illegal booze was his thing.” Salvatore wrinkled his brows at that.

“What booze is illegal these days?”

“Anything higher than a proof of 30 percent. Check some of the bars downtown, they buy from my dad. It’s their most expensive liquor and they do have to water it down some but it will get your ass drunk faster than you can think.”

“And you know all of that, how?” Vinny asked, finding himself rather impressed. That would have to be something he would have to talk to Johnny about. Sure wouldn’t hurt to be into a partnership with his soon-to-be-father-in-law, right?

“I negotiated the deals, both importing and exporting; I told him where his funds would be best made at and with whom. At least on that end, the drugs, however, they did most of that. I just kept an eye on the figures.”

“I think I’m going to like having you around Val.”

“Thanks, Salvatore.”

“You, um, think you can get your hands on a bottle? I sure would like to try that shit.” Valentina laughed at the look he gave her and nodded.

“Yeah, I have to swing by there after my classes for a meeting, so I’ll make sure to grab something just for you Salvatore. Would you want this after the run?”

“Yeah. Usually, we come here to blow off some steam, as long as nothing happens.”

“Great. So, will everyone else be here too?” Val asked as she looked between the two men who nodded. “Party then. Okay, I’m going to change, any game plans for this evening?”

“A chill night. Salvatore can go grab something to eat.” Val nodded and made her way upstairs to change.

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Five hours later, the trio sat on the couch, the containers of Chinese on the table before them and the movie playing; although, no one was really watching it. Salvatore and Vinny were discussing the upcoming run and Val was trying not to listen in, but it was hard. However, her ears perked up even more when they came around to the discussion of money.

“You always think you are getting cheated.” Vinny looked at Salvatore and shrugged at his comment.

“My dad set these up, not me. He just told me to make sure they go down without a hitch, you know that.” Salvatore rolled his eyes and Vinny turned to look at Val. “Remember how I wanted you to look over a couple of things?” Val nodded at his question. “This was why. Johnny has skimmed over the numbers without my dad knowing and he thinks we aren’t making what we should. Would you look over them? My dad might listen to you more than me.”

“I don’t know if he will, but yeah, I can look over them for you. Johnny won’t be mad?”

“No. He handles some stuff within the family, he is one of my Capos, but he tries to avoid things like this. Especially with my dad.”

“Okay. Do you want to go over it tomorrow, after everything, or wait?” She crossed her legs Indian style as she sat on the couch and Vinny’s eyes trailed over them.

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