Closest People Can Stab You In The Back

Thanks to the Russos and their constant interference, our business has become more international. We have strongholds in Greece, Mexico, China, parts of Germany, and most of Eastern Europe. Because the D'Angelo business is mostly in New York. That's why we don't have to step on each other's toes.

Our families usually keep their distance from each other's affairs. But of the five families, they are the most accessible and the only ones I can turn to for help. I hate that I have to ask for help at all, but in this case, I have no choice. Sometimes you just have to swallow your pride.

Luckily, I was able to arrange a meeting with their don. I know his older brother. Carlo and I met a few years ago when he got into trouble and I helped him. I called him yesterday and asked him to pay me back.

He was happy to help. Unfortunately, he has left the criminal world and is currently fading into the background, but he assured me that he would put in a good word with his brother.

Christian D'Angelo is a fucking legend. There aren't many people I'd like to respect, but Christian is one of them. We may never have spoken, but I've heard of his accomplishments.

I know who he is, and I know what he can do. Our situations are pretty comparable. When his father died, he also got the Don Job before expected.

D'Angelo's headquarters is a big building in Bayside. It's prime real estate, and it would have been damn expensive to acquire. I'm not surprised they did it, though. The building is owned by Carlo's relatives.

I walk into Christian's office after I've been strip-searched and all my guns thrown out. Tony and Michael are right behind me. They're the only men I can bring.

Mostly because I don't have anyone else. Our resources are depleted. Some of the men are doing damage control. Salvador Legan, Tony's father and my dad's advisor, has been busy meeting with our suppliers and partners since yesterday.

He's our family's consigliere, and he's great at handling sensitive situations. We need to know who's on our side and who we'll have to kill. Salvador is trying to convince everyone he can to come back to the right side.

Christian isn't standing when we enter. I didn't expect that.

"Hello, De Luca," he says. "Have a seat."

I do as he asks. The room is silent, each of us waiting for the other to speak first. Seeing that I need something, I decide to break it.

"Thank you for meeting with me. We both know why I'm here," I say, deciding to get to the point.

He nods.

"First of all, I'm sorry for your loss. Your father was a great man. I admired him and his efforts."

My throat tightens.

“Thank you. Can we get down to business now?” I don’t need sympathy.

“Of course,” Christian smirks. “You have a lot of problems. The worst wars are the ones we fight within ourselves. What’s it like to be betrayed by someone you once trusted?”

My fists clench. I’m angry that he’s asking so insistently, but I can see in his eyes that he’s genuinely curious.

“That’s pretty shitty, D’Angelo. The man my father once trusted killed him without a second thought. But I learned a pretty important lesson. And you should, too. Even the people closest to you can stab you in the back. Be careful who you trust.”

I don’t give advice lightly. With his brother out of commission, Christian probably doesn’t have anyone else to rely on. He has another brother, but Topher D’Angelo has always been more interested in partying than killing. To my last knowledge, he was happily married with kids.

It might be a bit harsh to say that with Michael and Tony standing right behind me—after what happened to my dad, I’m less inclined to trust even them fully. But they’re my brothers. If I can’t trust them, I’ll have no one.

“Thanks for the advice,” Christian says, his jaw clenching slightly. “Now, about why you’re here. You need my help.” He says it like it's nothing, but my chest still tightens. I nod once.

"We're short on manpower. I want to eliminate those responsible for my father's death by the end of the week, but the bastard has disappeared, and I don't have enough eyes and ears in this city. I know you have good connections. You can find him in no time."

Christian leans back in his chair and considers my words for a few moments.

"My brother put in a good word for you. He said you saved his life once."

"That's true.

“And as grateful as I am for that, you can understand why I’m reluctant to jump into the fire and get involved in a gang war. The Russos are involved, and we both know things could escalate quickly. Why should I put my family in danger for yours? What can you offer me?”

He makes a compelling case. Luckily, I’ve come prepared. I motion for Michael to bring the files. He hands it to me, and I place it on the table.

“You know full well that we control underground heroin deposits in Mexico. From what I’ve heard, you’re eager to get your hands on production, not just supply and demand. If you help us, I'll give you one of our fields. And I'll open trade routes for the D'Angelo family to Mexico.”

Christian raises an eyebrow.

"We both know it's not enough."

My jaw clenches. I suspected you weren't.

"I heard you were pushing for James Malone to be the next congressman," I begin.

"Yeah, and you were pushing for Coleman," Christian says, smiling sardonically.

"We'll back down," I say through clenched teeth. The D'Angelos don't usually get involved in politics, but I'm sure their sudden interest has something to do with the fact that James Malone is family.