Page 35 of Unwritten Vows
Derrick
I’m in a fog until the next day when my father shows up at the dock I’m working at and tells me we’re about to go meet with Edoardo in a few hours.
“What? I thought we were waiting and considering what we want to do. He doesn’t feel trustworthy to me, I told you.”
My father shrugs. “I want to expedite this process. The only way to feel more comfortable with someone is to speak with them.”
I sigh, but know this argument is going nowhere fast. I have no choice anyway, just like always.
Hours later, we drive far out into Connecticut. It takes hours. “Where the hell are we going?”
“It’s a little club he wanted to meet at. Something about neutral territory? And he said he really wanted to show us what we’d be working with, so I guess he has something ready for us.”
I don’t know what it is, but I don’t like the sound of that.
Still, I stay quiet and just look out the window until we pull up to the strip club.
It’s a dumpy looking place, but I see past the tarnish to consider its assets.
It’s large and on a road full of other buildings for undesirables: there’s a small casino next door, a few tiny bars and diners, and a motel at the end of the street.
It might look like a bad investment, but it’s one of the best, in my opinion.
No one who comes here is expecting a lot, but all of these establishments are places with huge markups and profit.
Because of the nature of these establishments, I’m sure that there is tons of security—it’s probably the only thing that the owner springs for. I’m sure that one person owns everything on this street. The set up feels too intentional, and I’m skeptical of how “neutral” this club really is.
“I just don’t trust this, father,” I whisper as I walk behind him.
“Shush, boy. Do not get disrespectful.”
I grit my teeth, but continue walking.
We meet with Edoardo in one of the back rooms. I put on my automatic charm and mildly affable, laid back demeanor, but I’m on high alert. Something weird is going on here, and I’m not a fan of it.
Edoardo wastes no time. “So, you had a deal with the Bolyar.”
“We still have one. It’s still on the table,” my father points out. “Derrick is still seeing the girl occasionally. We need to do what’s best for our own brotherhood, of course.”
I want to tell him I’m not seeing her, but then wonder if he knows I left my apartment last night to do just that.
“Oh? And how does our young friend feel about her?”
I’m not all that much younger than Edoardo. He’s in his early 40s, just between my age and my father’s. He just inherited his throne less than two years ago.
Still, I know I have to answer. I keep my tone respectful and even. “She’s a lovely young woman.”
My father and Edoardo laugh at the same time. They think I’m being sarcastic. I’ll let them think it, but I can’t bring myself to say a bad word about my little Liza.
“Well, so is my daughter. Of course, I have other daughters who are younger, but it might be frowned upon for you to date a teen who is still technically a minor. Isabella’s not here tonight because I don’t want to bring her to a place like this, but you will meet her one day soon.
If you say yes to my first proposition.”
My father leans forward in his seat, all but salivating. “And what is that?”
Edoardo leans back, crossing his hands over themselves. “Well, first you will break it off with Eliza Andreeva officially and spread the rumor that Yaroslav Andreeva funds a sex trafficking ring through one of the corporation names I give you.”
I’ll never do what he’s asking. I have to cut in with apparent logic, whether my father feels it’s respectful or not. “With all due respect sir, that is a lot of risk on our part for no obvious gain. You won’t even tell us what the deal is.”
He holds up a finger and points it to me.
“Ah, you just have to be patient, my young friend. I was getting there.” He shifts in his seat, probably just to piss me off, before he continues.
“I’m going to be in possession of a huge piece on the board tonight.
The Wraith has promised me the rest of the city, and I plan to be generous to those who stand with me.
After that, you’ll want to be part of our exclusive group. ”
Now I’m even more suspicious. I don’t trust this, if only because the name he invokes—“The Wraith”—is shrouded in mystery, and this deal is already vague enough. “No one knows who The Wraith actually is. If you do, though, his name might be a good start.”
Edoardo stares back at me, but luckily, my father clearly has reservations as well, and I’m relieved.
From a mafia boss, this sounds like a bunch of empty promises that we would be foolish to get tangled up in.
“We need hard evidence here, Edoardo. I want something I can really sink my teeth into before we give up something as huge as the Bolyar’s support. ”
My father appears to approve of my words, and leans forward as well. “Yes, what are you prepared to offer us besides your eldest daughter, who will never see power anyway?”
Edoardo studies us for a long moment with his arms leaning against his desk, his body tilted forward so much that he looks like he’s about to spring at us like a tiger. I’m not intimidated.
“You will be a part of one of the largest mafia empires to ever exist. I can sign a contract tonight for transfer of some of the key front companies I own on the East Side as a sign of good faith. When we control much of the Northeast, you will have an even larger piece of the pie.”
I lean back, crossing my arms over my chest. “Edoardo, I think we need more. What else are you prepared to offer?”
My father seems a little fidgety now, but allows my question to stand on its own as the tension in the room rises by the second.
Before Edoardo can answer, however, the gunshots sound.