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THE MAFIA PRINCE WALKED around the newly renovated hotel and casino with pride. This was turning out to be a profitable venture and a wise decision.
It was named on The New Orleans Most Extravagant Hotels and Casinos list. All of the high rollers came here to play and stay. They demanded the best, and he ensured his staff met their needs. It was the only stop for the rich and pampered.
The place was busy tonight; there wasn’t a spare seat available at the blackjack tables. As he made his way to the cocktail lounge, he saw Teresa walk into the lobby. She gracefully moved through the lobby and slid into a back booth in the lounge. She didn’t notice him watching her and he ducked into the shadows to see what she was doing. Since he could not get a good look at her from where he was standing, he headed over to the security office. He instructed the guard sitting behind the security desk to zoom the camera in on her. As he studied her beautiful face, he noticed her mesmerizing eyes. He’d never realized how green they actually were. Her lush auburn hair fell in luxurious waves down her back. This woman was not only gorgeous, but she had a resilient nature about her as well as class.
Just as she always did, she wore clothes and jewelry that the average woman could never afford. He wondered if she knew she attracted attention wherever she went. Her very demeanor screamed a woman of great wealth and privilege. He had a feeling other women felt inferior in her presence.
A sinister smile formed across his face as he watched the man sit opposite from her at the table. She must be having a little rendezvous. This may be just the leverage he needed.
He looked down at the security guard, “I want her every move recorded while she is here. Do not take the cameras or your eyes off of her do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, as soon as she leaves come up to my office with the DVD.”
“Yes, sir.”
***
TERESA WALKED INTO the hotel lobby and made her way to the lounge. She was unsure of whether she should be meeting this man here or not, but her father asked her to do this for him and she would do anything for him. Her loyalties lay with him and not her husband.
Her dad feared that the Scarcelli Family was hiding the success of the American businesses from him and he wanted someone he trusted to infiltrate the business here to find out. Her cousin Antonio flew down from Italy to help him. They were meeting here so that she could discuss everything with him before he met with Alfonso.
She saw Antonio walk into the lounge and waved him over, “Ciao Antonio. How was your flight?”
“It was good. Does Alfonso know that your dad sent me over?”
“No, he does not. We don’t want Alfonso to know that we are related. If he knew that you were my blood kin, he might not trust you. No, you need to start at the bottom and gain his trust. I know he is looking for a new henchman and tomorrow morning you will meet with him. Joey will introduce you.”
“And who is this Joey?”
“Joey is one of his snitches on the street. You don’t have to worry about Joey. I promised Joey some primo heroin if he introduced you as a half-assed wiseguy.”
“Okay then. What else do I need to know?”
Before she could answer him the waitress arrived, “Can I get y’all something to drink?”
She looked at the waitress, “I will have a Limoncello.”
“And for you, sir?”
“I will have a Martini, please.”
He looked over at his cousin, “I still haven’t gotten used to these American drinks.”
“The bars around here cater to us Italians just as they do to their own. I think it is because there are so many Italians here.”
“That may be, but the alcohol isn’t near as good as in Italy.”
She laughed at him, “You are just spoiled. You will get used to it here. There are a lot of Italian shops around here. You won’t miss home too much; I promise.”
“We shall see. I am glad that your dad asked me to help him out, though.”
She looked him directly in the eyes, “You do understand that this can be dangerous, don’t you?”
He shrugged his shoulders, “I would do anything for your pops. He has always been good to me.”
She took out a cigarette and lit it. As she leaned back in her seat, she took a long drag on the cigarette before blowing the smoke out of her mouth. “These men can be dangerous. Some are no better than animals, vicious and bloodthirsty. They have no feelings whatsoever. They have their own ambitions and most want to be Alfonso’s right hand man now that his dad is gone. You must be one of them now. Learn how to fit in.”
“You worry too much. You forget; I grew up in this lifestyle. I know how to take care of myself. Taking a risk doesn’t scare me.”
She shook her head, “No, but these men don’t have the same respect for the Family as they do back home. Here, all they think about are the rewards that come with this lifestyle.”
They stopped talking as the waitress approached with their drinks. After she placed their drinks on the table, she asked, “Will there be anything else?”
Antonio replied, “I’ll call you back if we do need anything.” With a wave of his hand, he dismissed her.
She informed him, “I have lived this life as well, but these men are not the same as the ones we grew up with. They are not taught the same respect.”