The Venetian and the Rum Runner - L.A. Witt Page 0,143

Even on the ship coming to America, I heard men talking about how the Italians were destroying New York. Then when I arrived…”

Silence fell between them for a long moment. Danny wasn’t quite sure what to say.

“I don’t know how we got here.” Carmine pressed his lips to Danny’s temple. “But thank God we did.”

Danny sighed and held him closer. “Aye. Thank God.”

They lay in silence again for a while, and he just basked in the warmth of Carmine’s body beneath soft sheets. As much as he loved lying beside James when they shared his bed, it was never like this. Never like lovers. They held each other for warmth and to get through the night when demons came calling.

This decadent comfort and tenderness wasn’t something Danny had tasted often, and with Carmine? He hadn’t dared to imagine it was even possible. Yet here they were.

After a while, Carmine absently ran his fingers along Danny’s arm. “So, as long as you’re here… I don’t want to talk business like this, but your name was mentioned today.”

Danny stiffened. “Was it?”

Carmine nodded. “The organization is…” He hesitated. “You can’t talk about this. With anyone.”

That went without saying in this underworld, but Danny nodded just the same. “All right. I won’t.”

“Right. Good. So, the important part is that the Pulvirentis are looking to make an…arrangement. With another organization.”

“What kind of arrangement?”

“There are some gangs getting powerful, and fast. The Pulvirentis…” Carmine shook his head. “We either need to join with one of them, or wait for them to crush us.”

Danny’s neck prickled. “And how do I play into this?”

“Because the men we’re negotiating with want to meet the man in charge of my crew of rum runners.”

“The men—” Danny pushed himself up on his elbow and looked in Carmine’s eyes. “They want to meet me?”

Carmine nodded as he slid a hand up Danny’s chest. “They want to feel you out. Make sure they can trust you.”

Danny gulped. “But you trust me. Ain’t that enough?”

Carmine sighed. “I wish it was. But that’s not how this business works.”

Chewing his lip, Danny studied him. “What do I need to say? I’ve never done…” He shook his head. “I can’t imagine I’ll get on with every gangster the way I have with you.”

Carmine laughed, crinkling the corners of his eyes and almost making Danny forget, if only for a second, what it was they were discussing. “No, no, you don’t need to get along like this with the others.” He lifted his head for a soft kiss, and as he settled back on the pillow, he added, “They’ll probably just ask how you and your crew operate.”

Danny arched an eyebrow. “Should I tell them? What if I give away everything we do, and then they don’t make an agreement with the Pulvirentis? Then I’ve told them everything my crew does.”

“You don’t have to tell them everything. Tell them everything you do each night is different from the last, and that you’re always coming up with new ways to get past the cops and Coasties.” He paused. “In fact, if they want details, tell ‘em about one of those plans you and your crew can only do once. Something you’re not going to do again.”

Danny considered that for a moment. “Hmm, I reckon I can do that. I just don’t want to give them all my secrets.”

“Of course not.” Carmine watched him, brow pinched. In a hopeful voice, he asked, “So, are you in?”

“You need this.” Danny shrugged. “Of course I’m in.”

Carmine exhaled, sounding relieved. “Good. I’ll set it up. Be ready to meet them very soon.” He paused. “And I’d tell you to think about getting a suit, but…” He threw an emphatic glance at the clothes littering the floor.

Danny laughed softly. “You told us not to spend all our money on flashy things, but you can’t really blame a man for buying a suit he can suddenly afford, can you?”

Chuckling, Carmine shook his head. “No. No, I suppose I can’t.” He pressed a kiss to Danny’s forehead, and when he settled back on the pillow, his face had turned serious again. “It’s a good thing you have it now.”

“Didn’t buy it thinking I was going to go meet gangsters.” Danny blew out a breath. “But I suppose you’re right—it’s good I have it.”

Silence fell once again. Danny was nervous about meeting these gangsters. Someone more powerful than Carmine? That was certainly intimidating. On the other hand, maybe an alliance between the two families would offer greater