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The two SUVs didn’t stop their high speeds until they came to a grinding halt at the backdoor of the Mighty Frontier restaurant and tittie bar far away from the dazzling Strip.

Robby hopped off the front passenger seat of the first SUV and began looking around.

The bodyguard and five additional big, burly capos, all made-men and high-ranking officials in the syndicate, stepped out of the second SUV and made their way over to the first one, carefully eyeing their surroundings, too.

Once they all were in place, Robby gave the nod and one of the capos opened the backdoor for Sal Gabrini, the second-most-powerful mob boss on the planet, and the man every one of them would die for.

Sal looked over at his beautiful young son.

He still couldn’t believe he brought his son along to a meeting like this, but he was in deep doghouse trouble this time around after what happened with that woman.

He had to prove he wasn’t up to all the shit Gemma just knew he was up to, and having Lucky as her eyes and ears was the only way back into her good graces.

But he still didn’t like it. “Alright Mister Chaperone. You stay here with Arnie until I get back.” Arnie, the driver and another one of Sal’s made-men, glanced through the rearview.

But Lucky looked at his father. “Why can’t I go in with you? Ma said I was to go wherever you went. That was the deal, Daddy.”

“And that’s why I didn’t take your ass home. You think I want you following me around like I’m some damn puppy dog? Stay right here until I get back.”

“But you said you’re meeting with Uncle Dan. Uncle Dan won’t do nothing to me.”

Uncle Dan wasn’t his uncle at all, but in their Italian culture uncle was a title of respect that all the young people adhered to. Sal didn’t mind him using that title, but he did mind him jumping to conclusions. “Did I say he was gonna do something to you, Lucci? Did I ever once say that?”

“No sir.”

“Then stop putting words in my mouth! Your ass staying in this SUV because this meeting is none of your damn business. Now you wait here until I get back.”

“But you told Ma the only thing you were going to be working on right now is pulling our family back together. That you were on leave from any work at all for the next whole month. It’s only been a few hours and you’re already going to a meeting?”

Sal realized Lucky was right and this emergency meeting could be the last straw for Gemma.

“What work?” he said to his son. “Who said anything about work? I heard your Uncle Dan was in town so I’m dropping by his club to say hey.

But you ain’t going in no tittie bar. That’s why you’re staying in this car.

” That wasn’t the reason, but Sal was pleased that it was at least a plausible reason.

Even Arnie smiled. Good save, Boss , he wanted to say to him.

Sal stepped out of the first SUV buttoning the double-breasted suit he wore beneath his long cashmere coat.

He squeezed his black gloves tighter as the cold wind hit his hands, and he began perusing his surroundings too.

Three of Danny’s men guarded the backdoor of the club, which was a normal show of force, but Sal could sense many more of Danny’s guys were lurking in the shadows.

Because this was a big deal. It was something they’d been privately discussing for months on end.

And if it happened, if the two syndicates joined forces, it would be a seismic shift in the underworld.

Sal Gabrini could become as big as Mick Sinatra, which would have been unheard of just a few years ago.

And if Sal could eventually rope Frankie “The Monk” Paletti into the merger too, since Monk was the third most powerful mob boss behind Mick and Sal, then Sal would be bigger than Mick the Tick.

Monk and Danny would be bigger than they already were too.

Which meant all three organizations were on pins and needles.

Monk Paletti didn’t even know a meeting was taking place since it was a rush job.

And now Junnie Consalvo, another one of Sal’s rivals, wanted in on the action too?

It was getting a little out of hand to Sal.

“Leave one of our guys back here,” Sal ordered Robby as they stood at the car’s door. “Put two up front.”

“Up front, Boss?” Robby was surprised that he would want anybody up front where customers were coming and going. All the action, if there was going to be any, would be in the back of the joint.

But he knew Sal had that sixth sense. When Sal didn’t answer him, that meant it was not up for debate.

Robby therefore ordered two men and the driver of the second SUV up front, and for the bodyguard and Arnie to stay in the back.

Then he and the other three capos followed Sal up to the back door. The door was immediately opened.

“How are you, Sal Luca?”

“Good to see you again, Mr. G.”

“Never thought this day would come, Sal. We’re all excited.”

Sal shook hands and half-hugged Danny’s three capos, all of whom he knew very well, as he and his men entered the backdoor that led down a short hall.

He could hear the faint sound of music playing and men cheering and jeering as those girls shook their asses for cash.

But that was up front. They were in the back.

To the left of the hallway, in a large office, sat Big Dan Testa, the powerful head of the Testa Crime Family syndicate for half a century.

He was sitting down, due to his arthritis, as he would always characterize it, although Sal was certain his enormous girth had something to do with it too.

But it didn’t matter. He liked the guy.

“Big Dan!” Sal said happily as the two bosses slapped hands. “I haven’t seen your ass in the flesh in a good long while.”

“It’s been a minute,” Danny said. “But I’m on the east coast now. Getting all the way here to Vegas is a challenge for me these days what with the arthritis. But I come for you.”

“For me? Or for Junnie Consalvo?”

Danny laughed. “Nothing can get past that nose of yours. You’ve always been the nosey one. Even when you was a kid. I threw his name out there to finally get your ass at the table because I know how much you hate his guts. You’ve been delaying me long enough. You need to make a decision.”

Sal smiled and shook his head. “Same ole Danny,” he said as he sat down in a chair in front of the old man. “You never change.”

“You have. You’re looking better, Sal Luca. Real good. Nice and fit. That black gal taking care of your ass pretty well I see. You could give Dapper Tom a run for his money in the looks department nowadays.”

“Yeah right,” said Sal. Tommy “Dapper Tom” Gabrini was Sal’s older brother. Nobody could come close to touching Tommy’s great looks and Sal knew Danny knew that too. “You know Robby,” Sal said instead of going there.

“Of course I know Robby Yale,” Danny said, although he didn’t shake the hand Robby extended.

But Robby was used to that. Being a gay man in the mob world was always going to be a challenge.

The only way that world tolerated him at all, and he knew it was toleration rather than respect, was because they feared Sal.

Some grew to respect him over time: he’d been Sal’s underboss for years.

But most, like Big Dan Testa, kept their powder dry.

Then the two men, with their group of senior capos standing behind their respective bosses, got down to business.

“The question you’re always asking me every time we talk,” said Danny, “is what’s in it for you.

You’re already big. Ain’t nobody bigger except your Uncle Mick.

I get that. But what I can give you are well-experienced, smart, savvy, battle-tested soldiers at your beck and call.

If we merge, you’re bigger than Mick in terms of people.

And if Monk Paletti comes in with us too, you’ll forever be bigger than Mick because Mick will never merge with anybody. ”

“He doesn’t believe in that shit,” said Sal. “He says more people, more complications. And you know what, Danny? I say the same thing. Why should I want that headache?”

“Because you can step back more. Be the family man you wanna be. I hear you got some trouble going on with your old lady.”

“You heard that, did you?”

“That’s what I heard. Am I saying it’s true?

How should I know if it’s true? But you can be a family man like your brother Tommy.

As you know, Sal, you aren’t getting any younger.

You’re a lot younger than me, I know that too, but you aren’t getting any younger.

You got kids that are still little kids.

You can spend more time with them. Be the old man you always wanted to be. You only get one bite at that apple.”

“What are you fucking kidding me? You make this merger sound like ponies and sunshine. You’ve been the head of your syndicate for fifty years.

But you’re willing to give up that position just to merge with me?

Because make no mistake about it, Danny, I respect your age.

You’re old enough to be my old man. But I will absolutely be in charge.

There will be no doubt about it. I don’t play that co-parenting shit when it comes to my business. I’m the one and only parent.”

“That goes without saying, Sal Luca. What do I look like trying to supplant you, a man far more powerful than me? I know you’ll be in charge.”

“And what will you be?”

“I’ll be the number two,” Danny said.

Robby, who was currently Sal’s number two, glanced at him. Where would this merger leave Robby?

“I have no problem with being number two,” Danny added. “I’ll be your number two.”

“Not if Monk Paletti comes onboard,” Sal reminded him.