with technology and they miraculously resurrected the video for us.”
Vittorio knew the footage was recovered from the backup remotes.
“It clearly shows Timothy Vane escorting your employees, Miceli, Ale Sarto and Lando Gori, into my club, along with Haydon Phillips, who we now know is a serial killer.”
Miceli waved his hand. “Ale and Lando went rogue on me. I would have fired them had I known they were dealing in trafficking. It came as such a shock when I found out. I questioned Lando myself. He was apologetic and begged forgiveness, especially for using your club for such a meeting. His reasoning was, it was the last place they would be spotted by any of their fellow workers. I do not employ this disloyal assistant Vane, nor would I. Clearly, Sarto and Gori were striking out on their own.”
It was the biggest crock of shit Vittorio had ever heard. Miceli’s voice sounded sincere, but the lie was too big to be covered by the superb acting. Vittorio watched the Saldi sons closely. Dario had taken the seat on the outside, beside Val. His gaze was on Taviano, as if he’d chosen the youngest male Ferraro as his personal target. Angelo was watching Giovanni closely. Tommaso had eyes only for Vittorio. That meant Val was on Emmanuelle. Vittorio didn’t like it. If it came to a shoot-out with the Saldi family, he didn’t know if his sister would hesitate before she pulled the trigger. If she did, Val would kill her. Could he get off a shot at Val and then manage to kill Tommaso immediately after? Even knowing Stefano had planned for such a shoot-out, he still went over the scenario in his mind, again and again, practicing until he knew he would be smooth and fast.
“Timothy Vane has been detained and is being questioned by the police,” Stefano continued, his cold dark blue eyes boring into Miceli.
Giuseppi had turned in his seat to look accusingly at his brother. He didn’t try to hide his expression or his skepticism.
“Haydon Phillips is on the loose, and if the cops can prove Vane aided him in any way, they’ll put him behind bars. I’ve already questioned Vane and he had quite a bit to say. According to him, he was approached when he first was hired. The initial contact was made by a man named Harold Jenson. I believe he is in your employ, Miceli.”
Rather than look outraged, Miceli laughed softly. “Stefano, let’s be men here. You have those in my employ, in Giuseppi’s and our businesses. We have them in yours. This is just business between us. We watch one another, but that is all. If Vane is one of these men Harold recruited, then yes, he’s given money to tell us whatever he can about the mysterious Ferraro brothers and their lovely sister. That is all. There is no big conspiracy.” He waved his hands dramatically and then picked up a cannoli and took a large bite.
Giuseppi nodded as if his brother had fixed everything between the families.
Stefano sighed. “Perhaps what you say has some merit, Miceli, but conducting any business in our club is strictly forbidden. That is Ferraro territory. The lines are marked clearly, and we’ve set down the rules between our families long ago. Any infraction is an act of war. Your men have been conducting business in our club for some time now. Not just Ale and Lando, God rest their souls, but several others. In front of both of you is a list of names. These men are all on your payroll, Miceli.”
Before Giuseppi could drag the paper to him, Miceli caught it up, crumbled it in his hand and threw it. The paper landed in the strawberry jam. “I’ve said I do not conduct business in your club, Stefano, and my word should be enough!” Miceli shouted the accusation, his face turning red.
Stefano stared him down, his gaze cool. Vittorio felt everything in him settle. He knew exactly what he would do. His first shot had to be a kill shot. At all costs, even with Stefano choosing to target Val first, Vittorio would take out Val Saldi to protect Emme. Tommaso was next in order to keep from being killed. All the while he had to be moving back to the shadows. Protecting Giovanni came third. Giovanni couldn’t get into the shadows, not with the hardware in his leg. He would be exposed. Hopefully, their backup covering them would mow down their enemies before