Nunzio's Way by Chiarkas Nick

Author:Chiarkas, Nick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Three Towers Press (an imprint of HenschelHAUS Publishing, Inc.)
Published: 2022-09-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two: Who’s gonna kill me?

Rico sat alone at the bar in the Caffè Fiora, waiting to talk with Nunzio. He watched as men bowed to Nunzio. They gave him notes, envelopes, and some whispered secrets only for kings and gods. That could have been me. I could do that better. I could’ve been a great leader. Rico’s thoughts were interrupted by Pepe standing next to him.

“Mr. Sabino is ready for you,” Pepe said.

Rico followed Pepe to Nunzio’s table. Pepe pointed to a chair, Rico sat, Pepe poured him an espresso, and left.

“Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Sabino.”

“Whadaya need, Rico?”

“I wanted to tell you directly, sir, that I will be quitting the Knights.”

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”

“They no longer want what I want. They no longer respect my leadership.” Rico took a gulp of espresso. “I wanted to tell you before you heard it from anybody else.”

“You want something stronger?”

“No, thank you, Mr. Sabino. I’m okay. I’ll be okay.”

“Who’s killing your Knights?” Nunzio asked. “You must have some idea.”

“I wish I knew. That’s part of the problem,” Rico said. “My guys think it’s the Weepers or the Roosevelt Street Boys.”

“It ain’t them. I’d know if it was,” Nunzio said. “Who do you think it could be?”

“I don’t have a clue. But the Knights are gonna go after the Roosevelt Street Boys and the Weepers. I tried to stop them, and they told me to retire so that Mike and Andy could lead them.”

“That will be the end of the Knights,” Nunzio said. “When is this supposed to happen?”

“In couple of weeks,” Rico said. “They promised me they’d wait until I was gone.”

“When you leave here, go to Lilly’s and tell Frank what the Knights are planning for the Roosevelt Street Boys and the Weepers. He will let them know. You tell the Knights nothin’. Got it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Who’s gonna kill me?” Nunzio said.

“The Knights have learned the lesson of ’57, Mr. Sabino,” Rico said. “Not a single Knight would dare plan to kill you. Not ever again.”

“That’s not what I asked you. Who is planning to hit me?”

“Um, look, Mr. Sabino, um, I don’t –”

“You took too long to say you don’t know,” Nunzio said. “That tells me there is a hit on me and you know something about it. Are you gonna tell me or not?”

“Mr. Sabino, I don’t –”

“Yes or no?”

Rico’s mind was racing. He had to give Nunzio something and didn’t want to give him Heather. He and the Knights had been helping Declan Ardan with his campaign. But the Hell’s Kitchen guys had been providing the muscle and keeping the lion’s share of Declan’s payments. He liked the idea of a wedge between Nunzio and his lawyer, Declan. He said, “Declan.”

Nunzio immediately looked at Pepe. Pepe walked over to Nunzio and Rico.

“Tell me what you know,” Pepe said to Rico.

“Declan asked me to have the Knights help with his election,” Rico said. “He also hired guys from Hell’s Kitchen to provide muscle. I don’t know for sure,

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