#3(The Trade)-C1
Dominic
I am the guy they call when there’s a problem that needs to be solved because no one else can do what I do. I will go to any lengths to protect and help the family. I have already gone to great lengths to do so. Many people think I’m nothing more of me than a heartless killer, but I simply have a particular set of skills, and those skills yield results-results my family need.
So, when Frankie called me to tell me I’d be escorting someone related to the enemy we’re currently fighting to a meeting with another enemy family. I did what I was told. Andres is related to Jose Catalan, who wants my brother dead. I don’t trust Andres, but I do what I’m told.
We’re meeting with Facuno Lopez, a family from Argentina that Jose controls. But not by choice. I could be walking into a trap, though I’d be more worried for them if that’s the case. I wait outside the airport for Andres to arrive, my sunglasses hiding my blue-gray eyes. I have received a photo of him, so I know who I’m looking for. I doubt he knows who I am.
He walks out of the arrivals gate and stops, looking around carefully. I walk toward him.
“Andres?” I ask, standing straight.
“Who are you?” he asks suspiciously.
“Dominic Sorvino, the lamb to the slaughter,” I say, using the security phrase I’d sent to him earlier. He relaxes visibly.
“Thank you, what time are we meeting them?”
“Immediately,” I say. I don’t offer to take his bag. I’m a go-between, not a personal valet. I lead him toward the armored car waiting outside. The driver opens the door for me, and I climb in, shifting along so Andres can get in as well. “We’ll be there soon.”
“If all goes well, I’ll be in Argentina soon, and your brother will be free to return to New York,” Andres says with a smile that I do not return.
“Best you make it happen. We don’t take betrayal lightly,” I say. “Especially when it’s us getting betrayed.”Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.
“I have no fight with the Sorvinos, only with Jose,” Andres says, looking out the window.
Traffic is surprisingly light, it is still early, and we arrive at the large beach house on Long Island. The guards wave us through, and my driver parks just to the side of the house. I climb out and wait for Andres. “Leave your luggage. If they agree, we can get it later.”
“If they don’t?” Andres asks though he doesn’t seem nervous.
“Then you better come up with another plan, and you probably won’t need your luggage,” I say, leading him up to the door of the house.
A young woman in a black and white maid’s outfit opens the door and curtsies. “Mr. Lopez is expecting you out on the deck.”
She leads us through the house. It’s grand, but I’ve never been one for expensively decorated homes. It serves a function, and I don’t see the point in making it pretty.
“A Sorvino and a Catalan walk into my house, and I don’t shoot them. It is an amazing day,” an elder-looking man laughs, clapping his hands together, a cigar clenched between his teeth.
“Sit, sit,” he waves to some chairs around a table to his left. “Do you want a drink? A cigar? They come from Cuba.”
I shake my head and sit down, leaning back. Andres takes a cigar and sits down. Facuno lights it, and Andres inhales.
I watch the exchange carefully, keeping my senses tuned to any movement or approaching guards. Facuno sits opposite us and spreads his arms wide. “So, you’ve made it clear you want to overthrow Jose Catalan, someone we both dislike. That’s a dangerous game, Andres. He has many families that support him.”
“They support him out of fear,” Andres says quickly. “But if we can garner their support, and turn them against him, then we stand a chance of replacing him with a more agreeable Don.”
“Such as?” Facuno asks. “There are many who would take that seat.”
“I would take that seat,” Andres says. “I would be fair, keeping trade open and profitable for all families.”
Facuno laughs. “You have big dreams, and now the Sorvino family provides the muscle.”
“I’m no one’s muscle,” I say, crossing my legs. “But he has our family’s backing.”
Facuno stares me out. I can tell he’s sizing me up, but what he says next surprises me.
“I can’t help you. Unfortunately, something has come up that prevents me from going against Jose,” Facuno sighs. “I would have done it, though, please believe me. And he won’t hear of this betrayal from me.”
“What’s come up?” I ask before Andres can speak.
“He has taken Sofia, one of my daughters, to bear him children. He wants to seal our ties to him, a wise move on his behalf, a tragedy for our family.”
“Where are they now?” I ask, reaching for my phone.
“Westhampton Beach,” Facuno eyes me out again. “But not for long, as they will take her to New Mexico to be with Jose.”
“Excuse me,” I stand and walk a bit away, dialing Alessandro, who answers, “How’s it going?”
“Jose’s men have taken Facuno’s daughter. If I can get her back, we might stand a chance.”
Alessandro pauses and sighs. “Do what you must. Try not to get killed.”
I hang up and go back to the chair. “If I get Sofia back to you, would you consider the allegiance?”
“If you get Sofia back for me, it will mean I openly declare war against Jose. It won’t be easy.”
“I won’t be bringing her straight back here,” I say. “We’ll move around the boroughs for a few days. Then when it’s safe, I’ll bring her here,” I stand up. “Do you have a photo of her?”
“Yes,” Facuno snaps his fingers, and I smirk. He knew I’d do this. He was prepared. A guard brings me a photo of a beautiful woman. She has dark, shoulder-length black hair and bright brown eyes. She will be easy to spot at a compound full of thugs.
I look at Andres. “You stay here until I come back. Make your plans with Don Lopez, and make your arrangements. If you need something, contact my cousin Michael. I’ll send you his number. I won’t have my phone on me until we’re back.”
Andres nods. “Are you sure you’re able to do this?”
I snort. “Save a princess from some thugs, easier than most of my jobs.”
I turn as an older man shuffles out of the house. Facuno smiles. “This is Bruno, my second in command. If you need anything, just ask him.”
I shake my head. “I have my own resources, thank you, Don, but I will have to leave now. We don’t know when she will be moved, and I don’t want to miss her. I will be in touch as soon as I can be.”
“Thank you,” Facuno nods. “Andres, Bruno will show you to your rooms.”
I walk out without an escort though I can feel the guards’ eyes on me. I walk down the stairs quickly, Andres behind me. He takes his luggage and touches my arm. “If you can’t do this, they’ll probably kill me.”
“Then it’s best you let me do my job,” I say, climbing into the car.