Black Tulip

Chapter 7

Leonardo POV

The haunting night is over.
Business cannot wait.

I smoothed my hair, rolled up my sleeves, and undid two or three buttons on my shirt. Black is the sole colour on my colour spectrum. I can effortlessly blend with darkness, always-present companion of mine.

While exiting my lonely flat, I smoke a cigarette.

Dante is waiting for me in front of the building. The wounded lion is the most dangerous on the day after the fight with his demons. Dante understands exactly what he needs to do, which is why he is where he is.

Without saying a thing, I get into the car. Dante nods to me and starts the engine, driving to "Vincent's Clam Pub".

Vince is an old friend of my father's. They travelled together across the seas to join Lucas, Dante's father. For as long as I can remember, all important gatherings have taken place at Vince's pub. The tradition has only continued.

The restaurant is set in a red brick building with dark blue awnings and a small garden with dining tables. The interior gives off a homely vibe, with wooden tables and chairs, checkered tablecloths, and a wooden bar and reception desk near the entry. To the left of the bar is a door with a sign "Staff Only."
This is the entrance to the Underworld's secret room.

Vince and his wife Cora successfully are running the family business with no intervention from the mob. They serve as spies, providing coverage for our business, accommodation and safety in risky situations. They are paying my family a share of the profit as a gratitude for our aid in establishing a private business and for protection, as do many small business owners in our area. As you may assume, the vast majority of them are Sicilian.

Everyone was looking at us as we walked inside the pub. Some of them hastily gaze aside, while others greet us with respect.

Vince approaches us with a fatherly expression in his eyes.

"Hi, guys! How've you been?"
We're hugging each other. This is our usual greeting.

"I am still standing in front of you in flesh and blood! I smirk.

"How about you, Old Man? How is the family doing? Cora?"

Cora peered behind the bar, her eyes widening with surprise.

"Leooo..."
"Oh, my gorgeous boy, I am glad to see you!"

She is running at us. I am embracing her and kissing her temples.

"Cora, you look as young and beautiful as ever. The old man took good care of you."

"No flattering!" She playfully smacks my shoulder.

"Now I understand why women are falling on their knees in front of you. If I were younger, I would probably leave this old, grumpy man for someone like you."
Cora winks at me, while Vince is glaring at her.
I shake my head, smiling, at their antics.

"They're here."

I indicate to Vince to accompany us to the basement—a room, as we call it in our inner circle.

"Say hello to Eli." I said it over my shoulder.

"I will."
Thank you, Cora said, returning to assist the pair behind the desk.

The room quickly filled up with smoke. We are facing with the pungent aroma of Scotch. My father, Enzo, and a few trustworthy men are sitting at the table, playing poker. Dante and I take our positions and watch the game. Not long after our arrival, my father gets  a "straight flush."

"Damn it," Luciano groans.

My father smirks, sipping his whisky. He goes by the nickname "Black Spade" for a reason.

"Let's get down to business," my father suggests.
"Giovanni, what problem are we having with the shipment?"

"Boss, Florida has become a problem."

"The Mexicans are trying to take over the business."

"Have you contacted Lucky? "

"Make sure you visit him and mention that he has to keep the Mexicans out of our territory if he still wants a percentage. Remind him of the deal."

"Lucky said that the problem is with the competition; it is the main reason we are falling out of the game. "

"The Mexicans have the same cocaine, but they are selling it at a lower price. "

"Our regular dealers are starting to rebel."

"I suspected that Colombians play on many sides. We need to send them a message." I joined the conversation.

"What do you have in mind, Leo?"

"Bolivia is our next source."

"I checked our labs. We extracted significantly purer, higher-quality cocaine. "

"I am negotiating for increase of quantity."

"The delivery route is difficult. "

"Enzo, you must find a solution through logistics centres or agents."
"Police must stay out of our way."

"You understand that's not a problem, brother. Jessica is coming to launch with me, tomorrow." He laughs mischievously.

"We need to get rid of the extra money. I reviewed our reports."
For the time being, black tabs are no longer accepted at clubs, according to Lorenzo.

"What can you do with the land by the river?"

"The damn entrepreneurs are creating a problem. There is an ideal place to construct an apartment complex with a shopping centre."

My father is frustrated because he was unable to complete the construction project he had planned.

"Jessica is coming because of that plot of land."

"I am going to dig into what we might be able to do against the mayor and the urban planning service."

"Fabio will provide me with the necessary information," Enzo stated.

Enzo's mobile stops our further discussion.

"Pronto Fabio. I have a task for you."

"Enzo, I think we are having some trouble in Milan."
"Laura was attacked last night at the Black Diamond."

"Where is she?"
"Is she hurt?"

"She's fine."

"She appeared to be lost, which is not typical of Laura."

"I suspect she's going to buy a flight ticket to New York."

"I'll contact her."

"And you investigate who is behind the attack. " Enzo ends the call.

We overheard the conversation and are waiting for Enzo's confirmation.

"Laura was attacked after the fashion show in Milan."