One night only

New York

DANTE

"Dante, you can't travel now. You can't leave others in charge. It's more necessary for you to stay in Italy. Things could get complicated with the Russians, and Ivan is not in a condition to take over.

"Do you think I care how complicated things are? You know me, and you know I won't listen to you. Whether you like it or not, I have to be there. It's my duty. Business is having problems again, and this time you can't handle it alone. I can't just stand by and do nothing." I turned my gaze towards the window. I was on the plane. I had already arrived in Italy so that Ivan could disembark. Apparently, Edgardo didn't like me leaving the country. "You may have a right to many things, but not to tell me what to do." I ended the call.

I knew he cared about the organization and the businesses, but this time he needed help because he always did everything on his own. He controlled the corporate side of things, and I handled the organization. Business was rarely my forte; danger ran more in my blood. Ivan and I were in charge of controlling 80% of the drugs consumed in all of Europe and America. Most of the merchandise we distributed came from the southeast of the country and was then distributed on two more continents. One of them was where we had conflicts due to an ambush by the other rival Russians, with whom we had no affiliation.

It turned out that a part of Russia was divided into two cartels, allies and enemies. The other part of the country had no ties to our organization, and for them, it was an offense to take their territory. That's how it worked in all the organizations in the world. No one was allowed to touch your territory unless they wanted war. Since those two organizations shared a country, that was the risk one ran when joining one of them. We had been fighting for control of all the drug trade in Russia for several months, but the Russians didn't understand that with the Italian mafia, no one messed around, especially not with the Devil. They didn't live to tell the tale. Edgardo was aware of everything; he knew who we were up against, but this was our business, the life we had chosen. In my case, it was the life that had been thrust upon me, and one I had grown to like. Ever since they killed my father, it had been this way. Because of my courage and cunning, I had become the Devil of Italy. It was a legacy my old man left for me, one that had been passed down from generation to generation. He always used to tell me that someday I had to take it on, and my son too. In that case, I would disappoint him because I had no plans to have children.

I arrived in America, in the city of New York, at night. When I traveled, I preferred to do it at night, especially if it was for organization matters. It was a way to prepare myself in case I had to eliminate an enemy.

"First, we'll go to the company. "I told Franco when I saw him disembark.

I had a group of well-trained and capable men to follow all my orders, and those who watched my back all the time. Among them, I only trusted Franco. He was in charge of overseeing the others. He was the squad leader.

I knew it was very early, but I had to get up to speed on many things. It was dawn, and the sun would rise in almost two hours.

"Everything's in order, sir "Franco announced". Whenever you're ready "he said what I wanted to hear, that everything was in order. I didn't like surprises.

I nodded.

We headed towards the cars waiting for us near the runway. The arrival at the company took us less than thirty minutes.

I was already in my office on the top floor of the skyscraper. This was the headquarters of my companies in America. I was the damn king of this continent too, where I controlled an empire of businesses that served to cover up all my dirty dealings.

When I saw Edgardo arrive, I turned to greet him and gave him a warm hug. He was like a father to me. Since my old man died, he became one, as he started to protect me more and worry about everything I did. I knew he didn't like me being controlled, and I rarely obeyed him, although I knew he was right about many things.

"Welcome, son. "He patted me on the back. I never minded him calling me that. I knew he considered me almost as equal to Ivan, and I was grateful for that". I'm glad to have you back here, even though you always disobey me most of the time.

"And you know that's how it's going to be. "I replied". How have you been?

I learned from Ivan that he hadn't been well, as he had been suffering from heart problems for several years. To some extent, that's why he stepped back from the organization. We decided it was best for him to take care of the companies and administrative matters. Besides, I needed his help on this side.

"Don't worry about my health. I'm fine.

I looked at him and saw some weariness in his eyes. I would have to give him a few days off while he was here, but first, he had to inform me about everything related to the problems the company was facing. I glanced at Franco and some of the men responsible for our protection and walked over to the bar in my office. I knew it was too early to drink, but I didn't care. Edgardo would probably scold me like a stupid teenager any minute now. I poured myself a Scotch whiskey and turned to look at him again.

"Dante, you have to take care of yourself. Drinking so early and all the time is not good for you. Your addiction to alcohol will ruin you "he said, concerned.

"I knew it."

"I know what I'm doing. Besides, I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been drinking for over two years without getting drunk. I just have a couple of drinks a day. It helps me relax, and it works. It's like a dose my body needs.

I reached the sofa in a room in my office and sat down. I swirled my glass to mix the drink. Then I gestured for the security team to leave. At my signal, everyone left. Franco closed the door behind him.

Once we were seated in our chairs, Edgardo started filling me in on everything that had happened in the company. He made it clear about all the finances and the partnerships of the corporate chains that were allied with ours. It would take us some time, but I could only stay for less than two weeks, a good period to resolve several issues. It wasn't that serious. We had an association with a Russian company that was very helpful. Maybe he was right that the problem wasn't of utmost importance, but I wouldn't leave them alone, especially now that he wasn't in good health, even though he claimed otherwise.

After all the information he gave me, we decided to start working to move forward, since I also couldn't stay long and leave Leo and Enzo in charge. It wasn't because I didn't trust them, on the contrary, they were one of the few people I trusted. The concern was because I was with the pending of the robbery that happened with the Russians. Something told me that at any moment they were going to attack. I knew that they were not our allies, because I had a very close bond with one of their bosses. It was impossible for him to play me crooked.

In a week, I solved the problem of the company. I felt exhausted and bored of so many files that had passed through my hands. I just wanted to clear my head and distract myself a little, and what better way to do that than on Saturday?

On Saturday afternoon, I left my office to go straight to the hotel where I usually used to stay when I came. Edgardo offered me to stay with him in his apartment, but I declined his invitation. I was used to having my space and privacy, more if I was planning to bring some woman and hang out. He knew me, and for that reason he was not offended by my rejection. The hotel was my property. Besides, it was like a home for me.

I walked straight to my room with Franco behind me. The team stayed down to guard. I only allowed my trusted bodyguard to walk me to the door.

"Get the car ready. In less than ten minutes, we left. "I informed him before entering the suite I was staying in.

"Yes, sir.

When I walked in, I heard my phone, which beeped. I looked at the screen. It was a call from Ivan.

"How are things going?" it was the first thing he asked when I answered his call.

"All right, we're almost done.

"That means you'll be back soon" he blurted out very confidently.

"Maybe. We also need to solve the problem of the Russians.

"That's what I'm working on now. That's what I was talking to you for. The problem became even bigger.

"What the hell are you talking about? "I inquired almost in a scream.

"The Russian cartel with which we are associated said that we have not fulfilled the agreed goods and that, in view of our lack of word, there is no agreement anymore. "He was very angry. It was the first time we lost a shipment and a partnership where both sides came out favored.

"Damn it! - All this was thanks to the ambush they had done to us. We had lost merchandise and, most importantly, some great partners". I can't come back yet, so I'll send Franco to help you.

"When will you understand that none of us are you? Substitutes are worthless here.

"I'm not leaving them to replace me. I'll send him to go on an errand.

"I hope you will finish with the company affairs and come back as soon as possible. I'm leaving you. We'll talk later.

He hung up, leaving me with the word in my mouth. He was furious, but no more so than I was.

I couldn't get mad at him because I knew he was right. He was upset with me because I came to solve issues that were not as serious as those that were in Italy.

I returned to the living room of the suite already ready and arranged to leave and called Franco to better inform me of the situation.

"Franco, give me all the information on the Russians. How did Ivan find out about it?

"It was them. They let them know by sending one of our men beaten, tortured and almost dead, "he replies.

"All right. Come to the suite to talk it over.

I grabbed my gun to see who the hell was knocking on the door. I calmed down and put my gun away. It was Edgardo. I assumed you were already aware of the matter.

"Is something wrong? "I asked him when I opened the door.

"And you ask it like that so lightly? "He entered without waiting for an invitation to come in". If Ivan doesn't tell me, I won't even find out. Just because I'm no longer one hundred percent in the organization doesn't mean that you can step aside.

"No, at no time have I thought like that. I just found out too.

His anger softened.

"Okay, I believe you, but don't even think that I'll leave you guys alone with this this time. "When I was going to reply, he spoke again". They can't get rid of me like that lightly just because I'm old already.

"It's not about that, your health is more important, and you should rest.

"f**k my health. First is family and business. There will be time to rest later, maybe when I die. He turned to go back to the door. I have to get back to the company. I just came to update you.

"Leave work for today. It's Saturday, and it would be best to go out and distract yourself a little.

"With all these problems, I don't have the head for that kind of thing. Besides, I'm getting too old for those jogs. Maybe it will help you to de-stress a little.

"Come on, man, I know you want to. I'm going to the Dark Side club, which Ivan and I usually go to when we're here. I know you'd like to see Julie. "I winked at him.

I knew that she and he had their affairs, but that was a long time ago. He stopped frequenting that place and only his son and I kept going, only he hadn't been going for a long time. It was a place that I frequented when I was in New York, but since I had not come to America for many months, I stopped going. Now I just wanted to hang out and forget a little about the problems that were coming. If my friend were here, he would forbid me, but since I didn't obey anyone, I would go the same way.

Maybe it wasn't a brothel like the one I was thinking of going to. They were the places I frequented the most in other countries when I was traveling. However, that club was good to go drinking and have some company while receiving an oral by some dancer. Yes, because that was what they did the most in that place: dancing on a catwalk with a tube. Sometimes he would take some of them outside to take them somewhere and have s*x with them, but very rarely.

Maybe just for today I would settle for one company. As long as she did her job, I would drink a Scotch, since alcohol was the good for all my ills.