Blood Always

4

As it turned out, a man in my family had been involved in the woman’s abduction, so I was able to help get Enzo’s daughter back within hours of her kidnapping. Our families were less than hospitable with one another— the slightest insult easily magnified by years of hostility. While our man had sound reasons for his involvement, harming Enzo’s daughter would have brought war to the city. I saw no reason to walk down that path … for now. I helped resolve the issue and thought our business had been concluded until one month ago when I received a summons from Enzo requesting a private meeting. I wasn’t the type to be surprised by much, but his invitation had stirred my curiosity. Our two families weren’t just oil and water; we were dynamite tossed into a barrel of gasoline—the combination would burn down an entire city block. Our families had little to do with one another outside necessary business transactions. I had no clue what Enzo wanted to discuss, but I was too curious to refuse the invitation. “Matteo, thank you for joining me. I appreciate you meeting with me privately.” Enzo extended his hand toward me as I entered the small construction trailer used to coordinate operations at one of his current building sites. The dilapidated trailer had to have been twenty years old if it was a day. Fake wood paneling rippled along the warped walls and gold linoleum floors pulled up at the corners like stickers on a child’s school notebook. There was a narrow table acting as a desk along with several chairs at the far end of the trailer. The faint residue of smoke permeated the room, doubtless saturated into the walls and the tattered brown sofa under a window. The makeshift office was entirely utilitarian and the last place I would have expected a meet. I didn’t know the man well because he’d remained in the shadows for so long, but I was quickly learning he wasn’t driven by a need to impress others. I appreciated that quality a great deal. Our world was full of posers looking to exaggerate their own self-importance in the search for power. I learned early on that the men I needed to respect were the quiet ones—those who were confident without the need to boast. A sailfish may seem impressive with its harpoon snout and shimmering dorsal fin, but it’s the stealthy great white swimming in the depths you need to fear. Enzo was a businessman focused on strategy and success, not the appearance of power. He was a man I would not underestimate. Extending my hand, I accepted his in greeting. “I’ll admit your requested meeting was unexpected. I hope there aren’t further issues with your daughter.” “No. Please, have a seat, and I’ll explain why you’re here.” He gestured to one of the two folding visitors’ chairs, taking a seat in the other, rather than occupying the chair behind the small desk. He was making a show of putting us on equal footing, despite my inferior role as an underboss. Another point in his favor. He gave me a moment to sit and then continued. “You and I both know tension between our families has been rising. It wouldn’t take much to pit us against one another in all-out war. I’ve lived through war among The Five Families once, and I can do it again, if needed. However, I see no reason for it to come to that. We’re living in a time of the greatest prosperity our organizations have seen in decades. Why draw attention to ourselves over petty squabbles? I would prefer to use this time, while the feds are concentrated on stopping terrorists, to grow rather than suffer attacks from within.” He paused, his hazel eyes never leaving mine as he sized up my response to his statement. “I would agree that warring among the outfits wouldn’t benefit any of us, but the bad blood between our two families has been festering for years. It won’t fade away easily. I suppose you have a suggestion on how to address the problem?” Enzo stared at me with such scrutiny, it would have made a lesser man squirm. I hadn’t gotten where I was bowing at the first hint of pressure. Years of experience enabled me to keep my composure and my secrets—I wasn’t about to offer him information in the form of sweaty palms or darting eyes. “In the past, the families gathered for celebrations to help strengthen ties. Weddings, birthdays, graduations—there were regular events held bringing the families together. We’re almost completely autonomous now, and I’d like to see that change. It’s much harder to hate a man when you’ve been to his wedding and watched your children play together.” I nodded as I considered his perspective. “Agreed. That would certainly help in the long run, but it will take time to even convince many of our people to co-mingle.” “I’ve thought about that a good deal—especially over the last week in the midst of so much upheaval. There’s one surefire way to unite the families quickly. A technique the old-timers used frequently.” I lifted my chin with surprise at the dawning realization of what he was suggesting. The topic of marriage hadn’t even registered as a possibility when I’d contemplated the potential purpose of our meeting. “Arranged marriages aren’t exactly commonplace anymore.” I studied him, curious what other surprises might lie behind those calculating eyes. “I understand, but it’s not a totally abandoned practice and could still have its place … in the right circumstances.” “As you’ve put some thought into the matter, do you have a particular match in mind?” “Not exactly. I can’t say that I know your family as well as I should, but as for my half of the equation, I have three daughters and three nieces. I expect one of them would make a suitable match.”