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Fortunato’s Italian Restaurant opened for business four months after Micola signed on the dotted line. A crimson awning fluttered atop the front window in the hot August breeze, “Fortunato’s” emblazoned across it in grand, gold cursive.
Eddie dressed for the occasion, wearing his best black Armani suit. Micola wore her new plum dress and matching low-heeled pumps, purchases Eddie insisted on for their opening day.
The two of them strolled nervously through the dining room, as the staff bustled about making last-minute finishing touches. The heavy wooden tables were dressed in crisp cotton. Chairs were pushed in, fresh floral centerpieces adjusted, and candles lit. The kitchen and waitstaff were ready, and two bartenders stood stoic behind the marble-topped bar.
After setting the music and lighting, Eddie and Micola could do no more. Together, they watched as Regina, the manager Eddie had hired, expertly handled everything. Patrons began to trickle in, greeted by the intoxicating aromas of garlic, sauces, seafood and smoky char.
For the first week or two, business was slow, which was expected. This didn’t bother Micola. She couldn’t contain her excitement. Her dream had finally become a reality. She mainly stayed in the kitchen, ensuring her recipes were followed to the letter.
It wasn’t long before word spread and business began to pick up. The true jumpstart, however, came after a review in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The glowing comments from the city’s top food critic was the turning point to the restaurant’s success. Patrons began to fill the place.
Eddie felt like a celebrity, as some customers pushed through the crowded dining room to introduce themselves. He relished the attention and did his best to remember their names and faces, as he showered customers with attention and charm.
With Regina at the helm, the restaurant had begun to run well. The time had come for Eddie to turn his attention to Dario and Tau. Their work on the street was where the real money would be made. Their crews had grown, moving stolen goods and expanding the sports-betting and loan-sharking businesses−all easy money-makers. The drug sales weren’t meeting Eddie’s satisfaction, but he was intent on fixing that.
It pleased him that Dario and Tau were trying to get along. Eddie was getting a good read on their personalities and also sensed their growing loyalty toward him.
They checked in often with small, discreet bags of cash in hand. Their regularly scheduled meetings were held downstairs in Eddie’s office where the earnings were immediately split. Eddie kept seventy percent. It was risky to give them such big cuts, but Eddie wanted their trust and knew if he didn’t, they’d skim at least that much anyway.
As the weeks passed, the cash grew, as did Eddie’s street employees. Dario and Tau’s hustle for new business was slowly multiplying.
