When She Falls (The Fallen, #3)(53)

“Want coffee?”

“Yeah.”

He pulls out a container of ground coffee beans. “So Kal told me to be my most helpful self as far as you’re concerned. Sounds like you and your boss have worked with him for a while.”

“Kal’s a good guy. He’s helped us a lot through the years.” Kal Petraki is the reason we’ve never lacked guns or ammunition in Ibiza.

“Congrats, by the way. Heard De Rossi recently became the top dog.”

I relax into the chair and cross my ankle over my knee. “The Casalesi leadership was in desperate need of a change.”

“Big promotion for you too, huh?”

“Trust me when I say it’s not as glamorous as it seems.”

Orrin starts making two espressos. “I’ve been working my way up since I first got here six years ago. Now, I’m leading a crew of about a dozen guys. We’re not big players, but I’ve got a good thing going, and I think I can keep growing it if I keep up the diplomacy with your country men.”

“You’ve got your own territory?”

“Smack dab on the border between the Messeros and the Riccis. It’s been a little tense lately.” He glances at me. “Maybe you’ve heard.”

“Thought the matter’s been resolved.”

“Yeah, the Riccis got fucked with a big Messero-Garzolo branded strap-on. It’s going to take them at least a decade to rebuild.” He brings over the two espressos and sits down across from me. “So how can I help?”

I take a sip. It’s good. Strong and bitter.

“You probably pieced it together by now that due to our families recently merging, Damiano now has a common business interest with Garzolo.”

Orrin nods. “I gathered that much from Kal.”

“Messero’s also involved.”

“That’s right. He’s engaged to that other Garzolo girl, isn’t he? What’s her name…Gia? I only saw her once in passing, but that’s a piece of ass you don’t forget, you know what I mean?”

I take a drag of my espresso to chase away the flare of displeasure. “Her name is Gemma. Anyway, I’m here to do our due diligence. We want to be sure our American friends have the capabilities required to move our product.”

“Very prudent.”

“If there’s any reason to doubt that they can, we want to be aware of it.”

Orrin’s eyes flash. “Are you worried about the Riccis? Like I said, they’re in shambles. They’ve lost too many guys to pose a serious threat, no matter how thirsty they are for revenge.”

“I got the sense Garzolo’s crew took a big hit as well.”

“They did. I think it’s why he operates differently these days.”

“Differently how?”

“He’s…” Orrin shrugs. “Cautious. Some are saying he’s getting old. He’s pulled back on some of the old routes.”

Interesting. “He’s scared of something? Or just low on manpower?”

Orrin puts his cup down and crosses his arms. “I don’t know the details. It’s not really in my purview. My guys don’t deal with his very much.”

“Can you find out more?”

Outside the cafe, a garbage truck passes. It’s snowing now.

“I could ask around. We’ve got a poker game coming up. Someone there might know more.”

“No one can know I’m asking.”

Orrin smirks. “I wasn’t born yesterday.” He leans over the table and meets my eye. “Now, tell me more about these counterfeits you Napoletani are so known for.”

A half hour later, I wrap up things with Orrin. The guy clearly wants a deal of his own with us, and I leave him thinking there is a good chance of it and drive back to the Garzolo residence. Gemma’s got some appointment at ten that I have to get her to.

After this meeting, I’m optimistic. Orrin seems like he knows his way around this place. He’s an outsider to the families, but he’s got a smooth tongue that’s gotten him into people’s good graces.

The fact that his crew earns the Messeros good money doesn’t hurt. He told me he pays them a protection fee to ensure no one tries to encroach on his crew’s territory.

What he said about Garzolo is interesting. When I had dinner with Stefano’s crew, they were all big talk about their business. There wasn’t a single hint about their apparently diminishing ambitions. I saw a table full of hungry men.

If Garzolo’s really shrinking his operations, his crew can’t be happy. They’ve got to eat. So they’re either all excellent actors, or there’s a damn good reason behind it.

I need to find out what it is.

I park at the house and type out a vague message to Dem to let him know I’ve got a lead. It feels good to have something this quickly. I toss my phone onto the center console and let out a relieved breath.

Tap tap.

I glance sideways to see Gemma standing on the other side of the car, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. When I unlock the door, she hops in. She’s wearing the puffiest winter coat I’ve ever seen over a pair of leggings and a sports bra. My gaze drops to her toned stomach and heat rushes straight down to my groin.

Cazzo.

I rack my brain for where we’re going as I try to ignore the heady feminine scent that fills the car.