Nico

I’m in my study nursing some vodka on the rocks while I flip the burner phone in my hand contemplating what to do with it. The truth is, I know I need to talk with Anthony. There’s a lot at stake right now and I’m not talking about me getting passed Don by my father. There’s enemies lurking waiting to take down the top dogs. Unfortunately, Mario’s greed and poor choices continues to effect us. He gave the other underground families the key to wedging themselves in our operations. The Russians and Irish have always primarily been gun and other illegal weapons. They fight over weapon territory and distribution.

 The Mexicans obviously have their drugs that they use as their main operations. The Italians stick to illegal gambling, brothels, and those types of scenes. Of course, there are other underworld families like the Japanese that prefer to keep to themselves and do their own thing. 

Mario wanted to be the top dog, the top family, the top everything. His goal was to be the only ruler of the Italian mafia and maybe take out some other underworld families and take over their territory. Mario made dirty deals with many people that we still haven’t been able to track every deal he made. The Russians particularly are looking to take the Italians out whether that’s mass body count or something else has yet to remain seen. I’ve been trying to make nice with the Irish because if the Russians want a mob war, they will get one, and I will need weapons from the Irish. However, what I think I need the most is an ally. 

Without hesitation I flip the phone open and call the only number in the damn phone. The line trills for a few seconds before I hear Anthony’s frantic voice on the other end. “Violetta, are you okay?”

“I assure you, she is as happy as clam in her bubble bath.” I reply. 

“Nico,” Anthony’s voice turns stern and cold. “I should have known you’d get the fucking burner from her. Well, you called me, so what do you want?”

“A truce, so the two of us can discuss becoming allies instead of enemies. I think we have enough of those, don’t you?” I suggest. 

“I do agree, we have enough enemies circling us like eager vultures. I didn’t think you would be level headed enough to agree to a truce so easily. I thought I was going to have to use Violetta to ambush you. I do assume you want something or need something like maybe your father out the picture.” Anthony makes his own suggestion. 

I chuckle. “Something to discuss in person. Do you have any demands for our meeting?” I inquire. 

“I do. I want Violetta there.” Anthony makes his demand. 

“Fair, I agree with that term. Let’s meet at my burlesque club and after I say we have fun in the brothel showing Violetta a taste of the sexual world. She’s a virgin and she thinks she knows sex because she’s a nurse, but she has no clue of what real sexual experiences are. What do you say we have fun with the stubborn woman who we both have a vested interest in.” I suggest taking a sip of drink. 

“You make it sound like she belongs to both of us.” Anthony comments. 

“She was promised to both of us, so technically she does belong to both of us. Even if we aren’t exactly fans of one another, Anthony, I think we both can agree it’s better that we share her in some way and stop whatever other men she might have been promised to from touching what rightfully belongs to us. Just remember one thing, Anthony, I was the first man in her life and I will marry her. However, I can’t deny that you do have some right to Violetta.” 

“I will acknowledge that you have a relationship with Violetta that I do not. I want to know more about why you need to marry her, but we can discuss that at our meeting. I think it’s time we suck up our pride and put our differences aside so we can survive the impending turf war we both know is coming. What time tomorrow?”

“Eight. I’ll tell the guards to let you in and see that you go to my private table.” I reply.

“Good, I’ll see you and Violetta then.” Anthony replies before he disconnects the call. 

I sip my vodka before I chuck the phone hard against the nearest wall and watch it break apart into chunks. Cheapass burner. I don’t know how Violetta is going to feel about being shared. Shit, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it. I just went off an impulse that felt right. It does make sense to at least talk with Anthony. Even better if we can come to some compromise that we all can agree to. It’s better the Italian families be united than divided because our enemies are circling like vultures just waiting for the moment to feast.