Page 37 of Empire of Seduction (New York State of Mafia #2)

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Vito

On the drive to the airport, I studied up on Red Blotch. It was bad, but not the end of the world. An added benefit was that tearing out the vines would allow us to improve irrigation on that section of vineyard before replanting.

“You’re good in a crisis, you know that?”

The compliment pleased me. As the second son I knew how to keep the peace, to bring sanity when tempers and emotions flared. This was why Enzo had relied on me for so long, to counterbalance his fierce temper.

And I could make Maggie’s life easier in a hundred different ways, if only she would stop fighting me. We were making progress though, as evidenced by her agreeing to be at the cottage tonight.

I pulled out a burner and dialed. Benetti answered on the fourth ring. “Pronto.”

“It’s D’Agostino.”

“You do realize I am on my honeymoon, no?”

“It’s a courtesy call, Benetti. One I don’t have to make, if you find them tedious.”

The man on the other end of the line sighed. “Let’s hear it.”

“The three Red Raiders who killed my man have been dealt with.”

“Dumbfucks,” Benetti said. “What else?”

“I called Baron, their president, to let him know. He was, as to be expected, not happy.”

“Did he make threats?”

“Yes, but I’m not worried about him. I dealt with the Red Raiders up in Toronto. They’re both stupid and lazy.”

“Any other good news?” he asked dryly.

“I need a recommendation for a security company.”

He was quiet for a few seconds. “Why, when you are supposed to be leaving town?”

“It’s for the winery. The two Fiorentinos don’t prioritize their safety, but I do.”

“Fuck me.”

I scowled at the passing scenery. “What does that mean?”

“The girl. Maggie. You’re fucking her. Jesus Christ. No wonder you’re hanging around.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. The winery is mine and I want to protect it. The sooner you give me a recommendation on a security company, the sooner I go back to Toronto.”

“Cazzata. You’re dragging your feet there, causing trouble in my territory just so you can get some pussy. What happens if the Red Raiders come after my woman’s restaurant in retribution? Or after my men?”

Hearing Maggie referred to as “some pussy” set my teeth on edge.

I snarled into the speaker, “If you had dealt with these assholes earlier, I wouldn’t be in this situation.

One of my men wouldn’t be dead. Instead, you let them hang around, mistreat girls at that club, and sell drugs on the winery grounds. ”

“I didn’t let them do shit, D’Agostino, and you are only remaining there by my good graces. I suggest you treat me with more respect.”

“I’m done making courtesy calls, Benetti. I’ll handle things my way from now on.”

“I wouldn’t?—”

I disconnected. I wasn’t having this conversation any longer. He needed to watch his mouth around me, especially when it came to Maggie.

“Benetti still pissed?” Tommaso asked from behind the wheel.

Grunting, I looked through my email for the next few minutes. There was plenty of business awaiting my attention, decisions that needed to be made on several construction projects.

Suddenly, a text came in from my older brother, demanding I ring him asap. I found the number and tapped the glass.

“Pronto,” his annoyed growl barked into the phone.

“Ciao, fratello. Come stai?”

“You bring Massimo and Paloma there and you don’t tell me. Should I be worried?”

“No. There’s some bullshit, but nothing I can’t handle.”

“Oh? Does it have anything to do with why I’m getting texts from Luca Benetti?”

My free hand curled into a fist. That fucking stronzo. He went and tattled to my brother? “He’s pissed because I’m taking care of a problem here that he should’ve already dealt with himself.”

“Vito.” Enzo sighed heavily. “There are rules for a reason and you know how things are done. You have to ask for permission in someone else’s territory.”

“This coming from a man who hates rules.”

“This is true. But you are in a different country with no allies. And you’ve just pissed off the only one you might’ve had.”

“Some bikers murdered one of my men and now I’ve settled the matter.”

“I understand. But it’s Benetti’s territory. He said you didn’t ask—and you hung up on him.”

“I warned him, which is enough in my book. And you wouldn’t have done any differently.”

“Vito, I want you to succeed there and you need allies to do it. None of us can do this alone. Tell me, what would you have advised me to do if I were in your shoes?”

Shit. We both knew I would have advised him to get Benetti’s blessing first. Territory mattered in our hierarchy. Yet here I ignored my own advice.

I dragged a hand down my face. I didn’t like admitting when I was wrong. “I’ll make it right.”

“You’d better because he is spitting mad right now.” He paused. “This isn’t like you. You make contingency plans for brushing your teeth in the morning. What the fuck is happening over there? Why are you in Benetti’s territory to begin with?”

I gave my older brother a quick rundown of what had happened, leaving out the parts that related to Maggie. “I’m just staying to get the winery straightened out.”

“What does this have to do with Maz and Paloma?”

“Maz is taking over the kitchen until they can replace the chef. Paloma is coming for a visit.”

“Vito,” he said with a long sigh. “Why is she really coming?”

I should’ve known he’d force me to admit it. “I’m asking her to serve as consigliere.”

He was silent for a long time. I wished I could see his face, because Enzo rarely hid his thoughts. Was he angry? Did he approve?

Finally, he said, “She’s a good choice. Smart thinking, fratello.”

Praise from Enzo? I felt my chest expand. “Now that I have you, I need a favor. I want to overhaul the security at the winery and I’m hoping you can help.”

“Let me make a few calls. We work with a company in the city. They should be able to help you. By the way, how’s Mancini?”

Roberto Mancini, Enzo’s father-in-law, was the former don of the Toronto clan I’d taken over, and he’d been sick with cancer the past few years. The illness was why his territory and men had been turned over to me. “Bedridden. I’m told it won’t be long.”

“Fuck,” Enzo said. “Okay, I’ll tell her after Fashion Week is over.”

“She may already know. I’m assuming Frankie and Emma are aware and have updated her,” I said, referring to Gia’s sisters. “Arrangements have been made.”

“Cristo, I’m not looking forward to that funeral. I’ll have to see Ravazzani and not kill him.”

My brother and Fausto Ravazzani were brothers-in-law and hated each another. I switched topics. “How is my replacement?” Our cousin Furio had taken over as Enzo’s consigliere.

“A pain in my ass. I miss you, fratello. It isn’t the same.”

We’d been to hell and back together, so I understood. “Ti voglio bene, fratellone.”

“I know, I know.” I wasn’t offended by his response. Enzo wasn’t one for mushy emotions, except with Gia. Switching topics, he asked, “What do I need to know about Maz?”

“He’s been amazing in the winery’s kitchen. Seems happy.”

“I hear he has a girlfriend.”

Of course Enzo knew this. “He said she has no connection to the life. She’s another chef.”

“I will still run a check on her.”

“That is exactly what he doesn’t want. He made me promise I wouldn’t tell you for that very reason.”

“Too fucking bad,” Enzo snarled. “He is my brother and I’m the head of this family, whether he considers himself in it or not.”

I grimaced. “He doesn’t want us to interfere. You have to respect his wishes.”

“Good thing you won’t tell him then, capisce?”

I pressed my lips together. Over the years my brothers put me squarely in the middle more times than I could count. Sometimes being the reasonable one sucked. “I won’t say anything.”

“Va bene. I have to go. Make things right with Benetti.”

“I will. Ciao.”

We disconnected and I stared out the window, thinking. Benetti would have to wait. Or better yet, Paloma could deal with him after she agreed to serve as my consigliere.

Maggie

I’d already started on a glass of rosé when Sam arrived at the tasting room. “Oh, my god!” A bundled-up goth chick came running up and threw her arms around me. “You have no idea how much I needed this.”

I squeezed her back. “It’s been too long.”

“Really, it has. I love Roberto and I’m glad my grandmother is dating him, but it’s kind of sad that her social life is more active than mine.” Sam studied the bottles of wine on the table. “Are we staying here or going to your place?”

“We’re going out. Choose your poison.” I waved my hand toward the bottles. “I think I’m sticking with rosé tonight.”

Sam’s eyebrows climbed dramatically. “That’s tame of you. Normally you go for bold reds. Now, what should I do? Such choices . . . ” She picked up the merlot. “Okay, I’m ready.”

I took a second bottle of rosé just in case, then tugged on my knit hat. “Let’s start walking. I have so much to tell you.”

One of our winter promotions was taking place tonight in the dining room, so there was a good-sized crowd.

I felt bad not sticking around to help, but Mikey and Celeste seemed to have everything under control last I checked.

Glancing over at Adam behind the bar, I asked, “Would you mind putting these away, pretty please?”

Adam gave me a thumbs up. “No problem.”

“And will you tell the chef we’re ready for dinner?”

“Aye, aye, boss.”

“Thank you, Adam!”

Sam and I went outside, where the early evening cold whipped straight through our coats. “Eep!” she said. “Hurry!”

We power-walked with our wine in the direction of the cottage. “Wait, why are we going this way?” she asked. “Aren’t you on the other side?”

“We’re going to the cottage.”

“Oh, fun! I haven’t been out there since you were building it. Is this why you told me to bring my bathing suit?”

“Yep. There’s a jacuzzi on the deck. We can relax in there after dinner.”

“Sounds fab. So, catch me up. How are you doing? How’s the wine biz?”

“I don’t really know where to start.”

“What does that mean?”