Chapter 8 About The Plan

• “Hey, Jane. My father around?”
• Jane’s bright red lips curled upward, and she puffed out her chest. “He’s in his office.” She grazes Hunter's forearm, her long, matching red nails trailing a somewhat innocent path toward his bicep. “I’ll walk you back.”
• Hunter smiled at everyone in the office who greeted him as he walked next to Jane. They treated him like he was a celebrity. And he likes it. He loves the action, and being in the middle of it all is an adrenaline surge like nothing he ever felt before. At least, not before the other night.
• Jane’s plump ass is wrapped in a skirt so tight. He was not sure how she could even move. But she finds a way to swing those hips, and yes, on another day, he might be tempted to shove her into one of these empty conference rooms, spread those cheeks, and fuck her senseless.
• But not today. He was all business and sex with anyone, but Elle was the furthest thing from his mind.
• Jane stands aside as he walks into his dad’s office. “See you later, sexy,” she murmured before retreating down the hall.
• His father looks up with a raised eyebrow and nods toward the door, his signal to close it. He’s not stupid. Vince knows he worked through nearly all the women in his office.
• But there are rules, and Vince likes to ensure Hunter remembers them. 'Never reveal any information regarding the family business. Never bring them home with you. Most essential, never drill without wearing a mask.'
• Hunter shrugs and sinks into a chair in front of his large mahogany desk. “What’s up?”
• Vince pulls off his glasses and rubs his eyes. Grandpa Victor’s death has taken a toll on all of them.
• A pang attacks Hunter’s chest. They were so close. Grandpa Victor probably knew more about his conquests than Vince, and he always egged him on.
• Hunter thinks Grandpa Victor sometimes liked living vicariously through him, especially since Grandma Lula died many years ago. He never remarried. He believes he likes being on his own. Or maybe the lifestyle just didn’t call for it.
• “We have a problem.”
• Don’t they always? With the shit his father sees daily, he can’t imagine there’s a day Vince thinks that at least once. But for him to acknowledge it out loud? It must be big. “Tell me.”
• Vince sighs profoundly and runs a hand through his thinning hair. Hunter was surprised he was not wholly bald from stress alone. “Hunt, there are many things I’ve shielded you from over the past several years. But now Grandpa is gone, and as my only son, you must know how things work.”
• “Dad, I get it. I’m not an idiot.”
• Vince faces him, a sad smile on his face. “No, you’re not. I also don’t like the idea of thrusting you into this. But you need to be aware in case something happens.”
• “Dad, just tell me what you need me to do.”
• “Massimo Rossi is at it again. He’s quietly meeting with some other men, and they’re looking at new opportunities to branch out. He never learned his lesson after all that shit with Gudechili went down.” He pauses and stands up, turning toward the large picture window behind him.
• “And nobody has his back right now.”
• Massimo is a fucking idiot to be flexing his dick right now. Isaac Gudechili is the most dangerous drug dealer in the Northeast, and if you engage with him, you’d better be willing to sign the deal in blood. If you don’t like the terms and try to walk away, he’ll draw the blood out of you first and then leave you for dead.
• But somehow, Massimo is still alive after being dragged away from the negotiation table by Vince and Grandpa Victor.
• Gudechili doesn’t take rejection lightly. If you make the mistake of initiating a deal, you’re either with him or with him.
• Luckily, Vince and Hunter made their play in anticipation of the fallout with Gudechili, which they both know is coming. They call it the Vodka Connection. Nobody knows any of the details.
• You can’t risk a rat fucking up their plans. They needed a supplier, and Grandpa Victor made an introduction to a Russian organization a while back. Vince and Hunter handled the logistics directly with the head, Antonio Bianchi, Gudechili’s biggest competitor in the narcotics circuit.
• “That’s why we contracted with Antonio Bianchi. His crew and connections will help us resolve the Gudechili situation when it comes to a head, but they’re still not family. They have limited loyalty to us. Money talks, but we can only count on our own when push comes to shove.” Vince’s shoulders sag.
• “Look, I know Romano fucked up, and I stood by Grandpa’s decision to get him out of New York. But now, I need him back here. He wants another chance to prove his loyalty to the family. And Grandpa would say I need to do whatever I can to keep the organization strong and tight. That means working with the Nikolovs. They have the right allies and access to many suppliers we need for our other businesses.”
• “Noah will go ape shit when he hears about this plan.”
• “He’ll swallow it easier once you name him capo. You know that’s what he’s after. Being a captain with his crew will give him the credibility he needs with the rest of the family.”
• Little hairs on the back of Hunter’s neck stand at attention. “If he finds out I’m bringing Romano into my business, you know exactly how he’ll react.”
• “He may be pissed, but he’ll have to swallow it if he wants a shot at running things in the future. Bringing in Romano and his family shows a united front and shuts down any potential for an uprising. Having the Nikolovs on our side gives us the muscle to carry out our plans and maintain control.
• “The other men will follow suit if they see they can advance in the organization when they support our new direction. And then we can focus on taking down Gudechili. That’s the goal.”
• Vince gets up from his chair and walks toward the large window. He stares out at the tops of the trees lining the office park.
• “There is a lot of risk involved here. But I think it’s the only way to show the families that our organization isn’t going to crumble because Grandpa is gone. We need to be strong and swift in our actions.”
• Hunter let out a loud groan. “Isn’t there any other way? Romano is a scumbag, and he can’t be trusted. You know it as well as I do. He’s not looking to take orders from anyone. He wants to give them. How the hell am I supposed to work with that?”
• “I have faith in you, son. This is important to all of us. Gudechili will be back, and we must be ready for him.”
• Hunter rubs the back of his neck to relieve the ache. He’d rather shovel a jar of peanut butter into his mouth than work with that guy. A deep sigh deflates his body. Much as he hates admitting it, he knows there isn’t other way. “I get it. And I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
• “Meet with Romano and make him an offer. He won’t grovel because he’d never want to be seen as desperate. He’s always been a cocky bastard. Handle it however you want; make sure he’s with us. Don’t let him walk, Hunt.”
• Vince scrubs a hand down his face and turns away from the window.
• “Keep this quiet, and don’t let anyone know we had this conversation. This feud with the Rossis…” He sighs and shakes his head. “I always knew it would come to this. I wish we could have resolved things like ordinary people, but Massimo is Massimo.
• “And since you’re the next in line, I just thought it was time to let you in on what’s happening and what we need to do to keep things running smoothly. Always be ready to make your move. You know very well what can happen if you miss your cue.”
• Next in line. Hunter's stomach is knotted by ominous words laden with meaning, but shit happens fast in this type of life. And you must be ready for whatever comes next.