Chapter 6: Chapter 6

SANTINO

Santino

I will make this up to you, I promise

Santino

I really look forward to seeing you tomorrow, what time can I bring coffee?

Santino stared at his phone for several minutes, throwing it down on the table when she didn’t respond. Elio walked into the large office, poured a bourbon from the bar cart, and sat down in one of the chairs that occupied the space.

“How did it go?” Elio stretched and yawned.

“It went. We’ll have some pushback. Nothing we didn’t expect,” Santino sighed. “My uncle is a complicated man.”

“He’s a man with serious ambitions that were railroaded when you showed up,” Elio said as he sipped on his drink.

“I didn’t just show up. I’ve been around. He chose to ignore that.”

“You and your dad haven’t been on the same page for a long time. Your uncle was expecting to be the one to take over, Santino.”

“Uncle Abramo may not like that I’m in charge, but he has to respect it. I reminded him of that tonight. I cut the supply lines and told him we’re no longer in the drug business. My mother can have some peace moving forward. She always hated that my father got involved with that.”

“And how did ~that~ go over when you told Abramo?”

“Like a fart in church,” Santino said flatly. “He didn’t like it. Ask me if I care.”

Elio barked out a laugh. “I’m glad, actually. The cartels Abramo was involved with freaked me the fuck out.”

“Same. They’re unpredictable.” Santino paced behind his desk.

“So, what happens now?” Elio asked.

“We start strengthening our street presence. Get the dealers out of the clubs. Clean up our business a bit. Let our friends in law enforcement know.”

“Consider it done. And Miss Stafford?” Elio grinned.

Santino blew his breath out. He didn’t know what to think about her yet.

“She’s not answering my texts.”

“It’s late, Sonny,” Elio said. “She had a hell of a night, and you did sort of leave her standing in the street.”

“You make it sound dramatic.” Santino rolled his eyes.

“Not what I would have done, but you definitely made an impression.” Elio raised his glass to his boss before sipping.

Santino groaned, rubbing his hands through his hair. Paulie entered the room.

“What did you find out?” Santino asked.

“Nothing,” Paulie replied. “I didn’t get anything out of him, but don’t worry, boss. I’ll make him talk one way or another.”

“Do whatever you need to do. I want to know who thinks they can do business in my club. As of tonight, we’re done with the drug business.” He picked up his phone and headed for the door. “It’s been a long day. See yourselves out.”

Santino made his way to his bedroom. He couldn’t hold back his irritation when he opened his door and found Gia sitting on his large bed.

“Leave, Gia. I’m not in the mood for this tonight.”

He snatched her purse from the dresser, noticing that it felt heavy. What on earth did she have in there?

“Really, Sonny? You’re kicking ~me~ out?” Gia stood up and walked to him, putting her hand on his chest as she looked up at him. “Let’s not fight.”

“Yeah, let’s not.” Shoving her purse at her, he pushed her toward the door. “Don’t come to my house unannounced, Gia. And I never want to find you in my room again. Do you understand me?”

He didn’t give her a chance to answer as he slammed the door in her face. Grabbing his phone, he fired off a text to the head of security that no one without an invitation was to be allowed in anymore.

***

Santino tossed and turned, checking his phone repeatedly and hoping to hear from Presley. He finally gave up his quest for sleep at four a.m. and jumped in the shower.

He took his time shaving, styling his hair, and getting dressed, trying to make time pass faster. He alerted his bodyguards that he was going out and rushed from the house, anxious to see her again.

He already had her address, courtesy of Elio, and he stopped by a favorite Italian café on the way. The older woman who owned it was thrilled to see him. She shuffled around, grabbing some pastries and asking if she could introduce her granddaughter to him.

“Grazie, signora,” he said with a tight smile. “Maybe next time.”

He was sure that the next time he came in, the granddaughter would be present. He checked his phone and saw Presley still hadn’t messaged him back. He quickly paid and hurried back to the car.

The drive to her house was fast, and he waited till exactly one minute after six o’clock to ring her doorbell.