J
essica was back at her father’s desk, the place where she had organized and executed the perfect plan to make New York underworld bow to her commands. There were a pile of files on the corner of her desk of the day-to-day operations. Everything she pulled off in the past few months was jotted down in those files.
Jessica put out her cigarette and looked at the ashtray, filled with buds and ashes. She knew smoking was bad, but it
was the only thing that kept her mind focused.
The silence inside her office was a blessing. They were the best moments she enjoyed throughout the day. Jessica finally smiled, now able to concentrate. Then a soft knock on the door disrupted her enjoyable silence. “Come in.” she said taking another drag as she turned on the desk lamp.
Andrea walked inside, followed by the heads of the Italian families. Each walked inside taking seats on the leather chairs circling Jessica‘s desk. Everyone had a smile on their face and Julius raised his arm, displaying a bottle of Barolo, the finest red wine from Italy. “What’s this for?” Jessica asked.
“We wanted to show our appreciation, Donna.” Andrea said placing wine glasses in front of everyone.
“Can’t this wait? We have a very important meeting.” Jessica said as a glass was placed in front of her. Julius opened
the bottle and poured. “A little celebration first wouldn‘t delay our meeting.” Julius said as he poured.
Sabina raised her glass first. “To our leader, our Donna.” she said and everyone raised their wine glasses. “Without you Jessica, Jacopo would probably had blackmailed us.” She continued taking the first sip. “To Jessica” the rest whispered and drank. Jessica felt awkward but went along with the festivities.
Respect from the heads of the Italians would only bring her joy. She made it but there were still loose ends to tie up. “So, let’s get down to business.” She interrupted putting her glass down on the desk.
“Sabina, how are the guns?”
“With the Jamaicans out of the picture and the police dealing with Kosher Nostra, it couldn’t have been better.”
“Glad to hear. Our men?”
“Armed to the teeth with the latest. I contacted the suppliers and more
weapons are coming in as early as tomorrow. We’re expecting a large shipment.”
“I’m glad, Sabina. It seems like you have everything under control. How about our finances, Paolo?”
“We’ve invested in a few more churches and community outreach groups for the poor to keep funneling the money through.” Paolo chuckled followed by laughter from the rest in the room. “Everything is under control. Keep it coming and we know how to make the neighborhoods look good.” He reassured Jessica.
“Excellent. And you, Andrea?”
“We have three precincts; all the cops the Jamaicans and Kosher Nostra had on their payrolls now are on ours. The streets are quieter with the Task Force off our backs.”
“Since everything‘s in order and the books align with what you all told me, it’s time for the next phase of our plan.
”
“Is this necessary?” Andrea asked with concern.
“What do you mean, Andrea?” Jessica raised her eyebrows waiting his reply.
“We have a good amount of cash coming in. We control the police, the guns, the City. Let’s no get greedy.”
Jessica put out her cigarette and lit another one. The room became silent as Jessica took a long drag. Andrea fixed his tie and waited for her response.
“Andrea…” Jessica started choosing her words carefully. “We’re not petty criminals or a street gang. I told you before we began this operation. I’m not doing this for money or power. I want New York to bleed. I want to make the police force to bleed. I want that bastardo
Jacopo to crawl begging for his life back. And hell, I want New York to bow to our command. Do you think we are anywhere close to this yet, Andrea?” Jessica’s words came out like a string of gunshots aimed
at Andrea. Every member of the group was mute.
Andrea kept fixing his tie, nervous. He didn’t want Jessica to see him as a traitor nor the rest of the family heads. The power of the Lombardi name since the day he sided with the families couldn’t be matched.
“No, we are not, Donna Jessica.”
“Good. Don’t think like this ever again, Andrea. There is never enough.”
“I’m sorry, Donna Jessica.” he stood up kissing Jessica’s hand.
“As I was saying, Sofia and Julius have an excellent plan that will go into effect as of this moment.” Jessica said pointing towards Julius who nodded. “Alexander Lavie, the lead financier of Kosher Nostra is now working for us.”
“What the fuck?” Sabina shouted almost dropping her glass down to floor. “We do not work with other gangs, my lady.
”
Sofia came inside the office and stood in the back. “Luca‘s asleep, Sabina.”
Sabina turned around and her face turned gloomier.
“Please let Jessica explain. I’m sorry for the trouble, I have caused you in the past. Please forgive me.” Sofia said smiling.
“Ok, Sofia. I forgive you. Thank you.”
“Alexander Lavie, as of today is working for us. He gracefully handed half of his businesses over and agreed to run it for us as long as we keep the police off his back.” Jessica continued.
“How are we going to do this?”
“This is where you come in, Andrea. I want our police informants to mislead the investigation and divert the probe on the Triads.”
“This will not work for long, Donna Jessica.”
“It will work long enough for us to take down the Triads, the same way we took down the Jamaicans.
”
“The Jamaicans were just gun runners. The Triads control as much as we do. Plus they have more manpower..”
“I know. So, we will carry out a precise takeover. I want you to find out who their leader is and send the OC Task Force after him.”
“It’s a crazy move.”
“A crazy one that if it succeeds, the cops won’t be able to stop us.”
“Will they fall for the bait?”
“They will. The Task Force will not ignore a lead from the second in command.”
Silence covered the room as the families were evaluating their options. Andrea seemed skeptical. “Fine.” he said. “I’ll take care of it…tonight.” he said as if he had another option. Jessica was merely giving him the semblance of free will. He trusted Jessica’s judgement. So far, all her moves have proven successful. There was no reason to doubt her now.
“As of tomorrow, we take another
giant step in the direction of what we are building.” Jessica said getting up extending her hands. “We achieved so much in such little time. Just a few more loose ends tied up and New York will be ours.”
The family leaders stood up cheering and clapping, following their leader’s example.
“I’ll be in touch.” she said showing them the door as they got up leaving the room, one by one. Sofia headed outside to escort them to the front door.
Jessica sat, lighting another cigarette thinking the plan would be a success. It would be another step closer in making her father and Francesco proud. At that moment, Jessica realized that she was building something for her son, Luca’s future.