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“I know. I’m planning to hit them before they can come after us again.”
“Be careful.” Lucia pats my arm. “I’m glad you are here because there’s something we need to tell you. We sold the restaurant and will be moving at the end of next month.”
I’ll have to meet the new owners and offer our services to them.
“That’s wonderful. Where are you moving to?”
Lucia beams. “Right outside of Tampa.”
“You two deserve it.”
“If you’re ever down that way, come visit us.”
“I will.”
Our conversation is cut off when Dad arrives. He orders us a pizza and an order of garlic knots. He greets Mario and Lucia, but their demeanor changes. I wonder if Dad ever said something to them about letting me come here when I was younger.
Lucia writes down the order and says, “Sit anywhere you’d like, and we will bring it out to you as soon as it’s ready.”
I thank them and offer them another smile before following Dad to a booth in the back corner of the restaurant.
Dad jumps straight to the chase. He’s usually not one for small talk. “So, what do you want to tell me?”
“Well, the other night, Francesca started the idea and I’ve come up with a plan, but it all starts with bringing AJ and Uncle Tony into our future plans.”
Dad’s jaw clenches. I knew it was going to be a touchy subject, but I press on.
“We need to join forces in order to get rid of both Rossi and the Reapers. We need to attack the Rossi estate head on before they can come after us again. Unfortunately, we are spread too thin with several guys on the team and having to travel for games. Uncle Tony and AJ are always here and they have several great men.”
Dad hesitates, but doesn’t immediately shoot down the idea. “It’s risky.”
I nod in agreement. “The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.”
He reaches up and rubs his chin like he does when he’s deep in thought. I can see it in his eyes that he’s still not convinced. “Your plan seems pretty reckless and not fully thought out.”
“Maybe, but don’t you want to send them packing? Don’t you want to live life without looking over your shoulder? What kind of future do you want for Franny and Rhett and the children they are going to bring into the world?”
At the mention of children, a stabbing pain gnaws at my heart. I have a child that’s going to be brought into this world.
“What about the Reapers?” Dad asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“They are going to be harder to get rid of because we still don’t know their true identities. We thought they all worked for the city because that’s what the Rossi informant, Justin Miller, said, but our findings were inconclusive.”
“But there’s still a chance they work for the city?”
“Maybe. I can’t for sure say yes, but it would make sense if they did.”
No one had bruises or busted lips after Gage and I started the bar fight, and believe me, we showed up early to city hall and looked at everyone who entered the building.
“We can put the Reapers on the back burner for now. I’ll have Alvin look into the backgrounds of every city employee. I’ll hire a few more security men to help with the extra workload.”
Lucia brings our order of garlic knots and a large side of marinara over to us with two sodas. “Enjoy.”
When she leaves, Dad grins and says, “Great work, Joseph. You keep proving yourself. I’m happy to let you take the lead on the Rossi plan if you want it.”
“Hell yeah, I do.”
“Then make me proud.” He reaches for a garlic knot with a smile on his face.