David Robbins - Nevada Run

“I did not know she would do this,” Don Pucci said to Giorgio.

“You allowed outsiders to attend a supreme Council meeting,” Don Giorgio declared with a sneer. “And you can’t even control them! Are you a Don or a windbag?”

“This regrettable incident was completely unforeseen,” Don Pucci reiterated. “You have my apology.”

“I don’t want your apology!” Giorgio retorted. “I want this woman! It is my right!”

“She is here as my guest,” Don Pucci said. “She is under my protection.”

“Are you refusing to allow my right for revenge?” Don Giorgio demanded. “I am not armed, and she put a slug through me! I have the right to snuff her!”

A deep voice stabbed the air like a knife, drawing the scrutiny of everyone in the room to the giant in the black leather vest and the fatigue pants. “Like hell you do!”

Don Giorgio, strangely enough, grinned. “The mighty Blade speaks!” he said mockingly.

“So you know who I am,” Blade remarked.

“I know all about you!” Don Giorgio boasted.

Blade leaned forward, resting his fists on the table. “Then you must know I’m a man of my word. And I’m giving you one hour to turn Mindy over to us, or we’re coming after her.”

“You’re threatening me?” Giorgio rejoined furiously.

“No,” Blade said softly. “I’m promising you. If Mindy isn’t freed within an hour, we’ll come get her.”

Giorgio gazed at each of the Warriors. “All three of you?”

“They won’t be alone,” Don Pucci stated.

“Are you declaring war on me?” Don Giorgio snapped.

“I would rather not,” Don Pucci said.

“I am not holding this Mindy,” Giorgio declared. “How can you side with these scum against me?”

“I believe you kidnapped the girl,” Don Pucci observed.

Giorgio’s lips curled downwards. “Are you calling me a liar?”

There were several seconds of strained silence as the mobsters apprehensively waited for Don Pucci to respond. The fate of the seven Families hung in the balance. If he answered in the affirmative, each Don and every trigger man knew war was inevitable. And a war between any two Families would adversely affect all of them.

Don Pucci straightened in his wheelchair. “Yes. You are a lying peasant.”

Don Giorgio took a menacing step forward. “Why, you worthless old shit! This is the final straw! I’ve tolerated your meddling long enough!”

Don Pucci’s eyes narrowed. “Leave now, while you still can. I invited you here under an implied pledge of neutrality, and I won’t violate the sanctity of the Council.”

“You pompous old fart!” Giorgio declared. “Do you really think your Family is stronger than mine? You’re in for a rude awakening.”

“You have ten minutes to vacate the premises,” Don Pucci said.

“What about the rest of you?” Don Giorgio asked, sweeping the other Dons with an expectant gaze. “Will you side with this fossil or me?”

None of the Dons responded.

“You’d better decide soon,” Giorgio informed them. “I’ll remember my friends when I’m on top, but I won’t be so forgiving toward those who oppose me.”

“We will not be intimidated,” Don Marchese stated.

“Suit yourselves,” Don Giorgio said. “I don’t need you. I don’t need any of you.” He wheeled and stalked from the Council room, his soldiers on his heels.

“Now the shit hits the fan,” Don Lansky remarked.

Don Pucci looked at Helen. “That was a very foolish thing you did.

There was a remote chance I could have reasoned with Giorgio to return your daughter.”

“You shouldn’t have let him leave,” Helen said in reproach. “I could have made him tell me where Mindy is being held.”

Don Pucci faced his peers. “The harm has been done. There is no turning back. You must do as your conscience dictates. If you decide to remain neutral, I will understand.”

“This is not our fight,” Don Cuascut commented.

“In a sense, you’re right,” Don Pucci said. “Giorgio has been after me for years. This is a personal conflict as well as business. But keep one thing in mind. Giorgio is merciless. He wants absolute power. If he wins this war, what is to prevent him from trying to destroy your Families?” He paused. “Where do you stand?”

Don Causcut spoke first. “I want no part of it. My Family will be neutral.”

“As you wish,” Don Pucci said.

“Giorgio’s Family is strong,” Don Lansky noted. “I’d say the two of you are evenly matched. This war could drag out for months, even years. Our tourist trade would be crippled. Our economy would suffer. I do not like the idea of diminished coffers.”

“You are with me then?” Don Pucci inquired hopefully.

“Respectfully, no,” Don Lansky responded. “My Family will sit this out.

This is between Giorgio and yourself. You must show the upstart the error of his ways. I will, however, provide whatever hardware and ammunition you may need.”

“And you?” Don Pucci asked Don Marchese.

Marchese frowned. “I love you like a brother, Tony. You know that. And as a brother, I give you this advice. You must prove yourself by defeating Giorgio. He threw down the gauntlet and you accepted. Now you must prove yourself worthy of being the leader of our Council. So long as the war is strictly between Giorgio and yourself, I will not intervene one way or the other.”

Don Siegel cleared his throat. “If the others are content to allow Giorgio and you to settle this, then so am I.”

Don Pucci bowed his head. He did not want his friends to see his overwhelming disappointment.

“As for me,” Don Talone added, “I’m not sticking my nose in where it doesn’t belong. However, if Don Lansky is willing to supply arms to the Pucci Family, I can do no less for the Giorgio Family.”

Don Pucci looked up at Don Talone. “Thank you for being honest. All of you should leave before the hostilities commence.”

Without saying a word, the five Dons and their soldiers departed.

Don Pucci sighed and gazed at Blade. “The lines have been drawn, Warrior. For better or for worse, Don Giorgio and I will resolve our differences permanently.”

“You’re not alone in this,” Blade said. “We’re with you all the way.”

Don Pucci smiled. “I appreciate the thought, but what can three Warriors do?”

“You’ve never seen us in action,” Blade commented.

“Besides,” Geronimo chimed in, “we have an ace in the hole. Or maybe I should refer to him as a wild card.”

“Who is this wild card?” Pucci asked.

“Hickok.”

Nadine’s suite was sumptuously adorned. She closed the door behind them, flicked on the lights, and indicated a huge living room. “Make yourself at home.”

Hickok sauntered into the living room, admiring the luxurious accommodations. “Wow! What do you do for a living? Rob banks?”

Nadine laughed and walked toward him. “Not quite. I’m a secretary.”

“You must make a heap of dough,” Hickok remarked, “if you can afford to live here.”

“I don’t live here, silly,” Nadine said. “I’m renting the suite while I’m on vacation. I saved for a whole year to be able to stay here.”

“You like to gamble?” Hickok commented.

Nadine winked at him. “I like excitement.”

Hickok winked back. “Me too.”

Nadine glanced at a door in the center of the right-hand wall. “Do you mind if I change into something a little more comfortable?”

“Suit yourself,” Hickok said.

Nadine smiled and strolled to the door. “This will just take a minute or two. Don’t go away!”

“I wouldn’t think of it,” Hickok assured her.