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CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
E arly the next morning, Carlo drives us all to the exclusive Pacific Breezes Mall
He says, “I don’t see us letting Alessio have all the fun. I’ve arranged for a consultant to bring you the best, the most exclusive scents, all the best high-end fragrances, oils, soaps and lotions, along with the cream of the cosmetics and beauty products.”
From the seat behind, Bruno chimes in, “That’s for the morning. After lunch, we’re taking you to the Ferrari dealer.”
I say, “Our businesses are hurting all over.”
Carlo agrees. “The bars, the tables, the betting, all the street trade is dark. Dead. No shipments, nothing is moving. We’ve got basically nothing coming in. For now and the foreseeable future, we’re living on air.”
Looking out of the back window, Alessio says, “At this rate, we’re never going to get even a fraction of our businesses back off the ground.”
“We passed the tipping point,” Carlo says, “Even the Farino’s are going to have more of a position and a stronger presence than we do. It’s time to face it. We are truly and royally fucked. We’re going to be a minor family from here on.”
Pursing his lips, Alessio says, “Bit part players at best.”
I say, “We could go to Chicago for help.”
Bruno’s face folds. “ Owwwwww .”
Alessio scowls. “ Minke . Think what that would cost us. You think things are bad now. Do that and we would be slaves in no time.”
Carlo’s head shakes. “We’re fighting on too many fronts right now.”
“And we’re not getting stronger.” Bruno agrees. “We’re getting worn down. We’re losing it out there, big time.”
“So.” Carlo says, definitively, “What else is there to do but shop?”
“I don’t get it.”
After we park and while we make our way to the elevator, Bruno touches my sleeve. Gets me to hang back with him.
I never heard him sound more flat and low. “We’re fucked, Lucia. We’re all totally fucked.”
“Wait, you’re kidding, right?”
“I wish. This has all turned bad and it is totally beyond the point of no return. All three of us have just been scooping out whatever we can in cash. That’s what Alessio was doing, buying jewels and watches for you.”
He looks around. My heart falls as he lowers his voice still further. “He wanted to pour portable wealth over you, in parcels you could carry. We’ll do more today, but I think that’s it. After this, we’re all getting the hell out of Dodge, and we suggest you do the same.”
I feel like I’ve been hollowed out. “Where will you go?”
“Different places. If you want my advice, take up Ester’s offer. Join her in Italy. Keep your head down for a year or so.”
“This is all my fault.”
“It’s not. Not really.”
I’m thinking, Ye of little faith. When we get into that showroom, I am going to sit those men down and give them all a real, old-school talking-to.
The top level of the high-end mall is tiled with pink marble and capped with a curved glass roof. The views of the sound with the mountains beyond are breathtaking. The landscape here is a wonder of nature that takes my breath away.
Walking with Bruno, Alessio, and Carlo, all immaculately groomed and eye-popping in their exquisitely tailored suits, when the double doors to plush suite are swung open by the unformed attendants, I feel like I’m starring in a movie. But to look at us, you would have no way of knowing that I’m headed for my death scene.
I feel overwhelmed. Suddenly. I turn and run. We passed a sign just a few yards back. Holding my hand over my mouth, I can’t even wait to ask one of the smart assistants in the suite the way to a bathroom.
As I turn into the little side corridor, I heard a shuffle and bustle behind me but I don’t have time to even stop and turn. I stick out my hand to shove the door with the WOMEN sign. I burst in.
A store assistant is at one of the sinks. She looks up, startled. I just about manage to smile and wave a hand to tell her that it’s alright.
It’s only a moment this time. Not even especially uncomfortable. I’m thinking the concussion must have left me with this as an after-effect. It’s not life-threatening, but I could sure do without it.
As I’m cooling my face and dabbing cool water at my throat, I remember that I meant to ask the good doctor for a prescription when I saw him. Or if he would recommend dramamine or something else from over the counter.
Naturally, I forgot. Too many things on my mind at the time. As I’m straightening myself up, I give an apologetic smile and finger wave to the store assistant. She smiles back, sympathetic.
I’m about to say something when two women dash in. I step out of their way. One is really running for the cubicles. I step the other way, but she puts out a hand. It lands in the center of my chest.
Meantime, the other woman ducked to crouch behind me on all fours.
I topple back over her. The first woman grabs me by the hair. The woman beneath me turns and swings her arm. A sharp needle stabs, deep into the side of my neck. The shop assistant is blurring and fading in front of me.
Darkness closes in.
I come to in a chair. Not too hard. Not too soft. An office chair that swivels. For a moment, I just sit and spin. but that makes me feel sick again. Then I start to wonder where I am. I squint. The scene around me is blurred, like it was in the washroom. I’m not in a washroom, though.
A deep voice is saying something. I think he’s talking to me. Right now I don’t want to listen. It doesn’t matter, though. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate, even if I did. The noise is blurry. Just like my vision. I shake my head. But that makes me feel sick again.
Damn, I am starting to get really bored with that. But this time it passes. Well, I’m pretty glad about that. I don’t think I could get up now, even if I could see where to go.
I feel tired, but that man’s voice is still droning away. It comes closer and then farther away. I want to tell him to shut up. Nothing comes out, though.
I close my eyes.
Sleep comes on pretty fast. That’s nice.
Table of Contents
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