Sal Gabrini: Love And War

by Mallory Monroe

  Sal pulled her naked body closer against his. “I know you’re just starting your political career.”

  “I haven’t even had my launch party yet,” Gemma said. Then she looked at Sal. “You think I need to cancel it all?”

  “Cancel it?” Sal asked, and then looked at her. “You want to?”

  Gemma thought about it, and then shook her head. “The system needs to change in this town,” she said. “Poor people are not being treated right in the D.A.’s office, and I know I can change that. I can bring the justice back into the system. If Jasper Lowe gets reelected, it will still be justice for the haves and none for the have nots. So, no, Sal, I don’t want to cancel it. But you come first. If you feel I need to, I will.”

  Sal’s heart soared with affection for this woman. He pulled her even closer, and kissed her on her forehead. “I’ll never take your devotion away from you. I love your passion for the less fortunate. You keep that, you hear me? You keep that! So, no. I don’t want you to cancel. I’ll just have to make sure the press doesn’t get wind of my situation and try to hold it against you.”

  Gemma smiled. “Don’t you worry about that,” she said. “They’re always trying to hold it against me.”

  Sal knew it too. It was a tough reality for him to face. “Does it bother you?” he asked her with some hesitancy.

  But Gemma had no such hesitation. She flapped her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Not in the least,” she said with a grin, and Sal smiled, pulled her into his arms until she was lying on top of him. He kissed her. And then kept kissing her. Harder and harder. With more and more passion.

  And then he took his penis in his hand, and entered her again.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Tommy Gabrini sat behind his desk at the Gabrini Corporation home office building in Seattle, Washington. He had on his reading glasses and was typing at his desk computer. When Sal walked in, he didn’t bother to look up. He was expecting him.

  “Hey there,” Sal said.

  “Made it in okay?”

  “Yeah, it was okay,” Sal said, and took a seat in front of Tommy’s big desk.

  Tommy finished typing and finally looked up. When he saw Sal, dressed to the nines in his double-breasted Armani suit, he smiled. Something about Sal that always brought a smile to his face. “Well hello there! You’re looking spiffy, old man.”

  Sal smiled, given that Tommy was older than he was, and checked him out too. Tommy was in shirt sleeves with suspenders that matched the brown suit coat he had flapped over his chair. Sartorial splendor was the phrase that came to mind whenever Sal saw Tommy. But since he wasn’t quite sure how to pronounce sartorial, he left it alone. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” he said.

  “How’s Gemma and Lucky Luciano?”

  “Don’t call my boy that. He’s no mobster. His name is Salvatore Luciano Gabrini.”

  “So, he’s not Lucky anymore?” Tommy jokingly asked.

  “Yeah, he’s Lucky. That’s still his nickname. But don’t try to give him a gangster name.”

  Tommy shook his head. Why Sal was always fronting with him about his lifestyle was the mystery of mysteries to Tommy.

  “How’s Grace? How’s Destiny and TJ?”

  “They’re good. TJ is enjoying his babyhood, Grace is working hard, and Destiny is hardly working.”

  Sal laughed. “You spoil that girl! Both of them.”

  Tommy smiled and hunched his shoulder. “I do my best.”

  “Yeah. But don’t you miss it?”

  Tommy considered Sal. “Miss what?”

  “The life you used to live. I mean, I had my share of ladies. But you and those black girls you favored? Geez! Your ass was fucking nonstop. And you gave it all up for Grace?”

  “I didn’t give shit up,” Tommy said with a grin. “I still fuck nonstop. I just fuck nonstop with Grace.”

  Sal laughed, and Tommy joined in with him. “Give up fucking?” Tommy asked jokingly. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”

  The laughter continued. Until the reality hit them both. Sal was there for a reason. Tommy knew it too. “I heard about what happened last night,” he said with a serious look on his face. “Reno said you saw some female and took off. Then there was some car crash or something.”

  “Reno talks too much,” Sal said.

  “Are you okay?”

  Sal nodded. “I’m okay. Those fuckers iced my driver, and they tried to ice me, but they failed.”

  “What the hell is going on, Sal? First that shit at the dealership, and now last night? And I suppose you were planning to tell me about last night?”

  “I was going to tell you,” Sal admitted. “I just needed to tell you something else face to face. So I figured I’d wait until I get here.”

  Tommy didn’t like the sound of that. “Tell me what else?” he asked.

  Sal hesitated.

  “Tell me, Sal. You’re killing me here.”

  Sal decided to just say it. “I’m leaving GCI,” he said.

  Tommy just sat there. Confused. “You’re leaving? What do you mean you’re leaving?”

  “What I said, Tommy. I’m leaving the Gabrini Corporation. I’m leaving GCI.”

  Tommy frowned. “But why? What’s happened?”

  Sal rose to his feet, ran his hands through his hair, and began pacing the floor.

  “What is it, Sal?” Tommy asked, watching him like a hawk.

  Then Sal stopped and looked at his brother. “That other thing,” he said.

  Tommy knew what he meant. “What about it?”

  “It’s going to be the main thing,” Sal said.

  Tommy’s heart dropped. It suddenly was no longer about GCI, but about his baby brother’s safety. “Why?” he asked.

  “I’ve got people depending on me, and depending on my name for their shield, and I’ve been letting them down.”

  “Men such as?” Tommy asked.

  “My guys. You know.”

  “But why do you have to resign from your role here? I don’t understand.”

  “I can’t be a part-time boss,” Sal said bluntly. “It’s not working anymore. That shit that went down at Reston’s, and last night, was no accident. They’ve been coming for my ass because they no longer respect my position. I’ve had one foot in the game and one foot out, and it’s catching up with me. I had my family with me, Tommy. Gem and Luck were with me at Reston’s that night. But they didn’t care. They came at me and they came hard. My guys are right. I’ve got to make a decision.”

  “You’ve got to make one,” Tommy asked, “or you made one?”

  Sal sat back down. “I’ve made one.”

  “What can I do to unmake the deal?” Tommy asked.

  Sal shook his head. “Nothing. My men need my attention. I have to be all in or all out.”

  “Then get out,” Tommy said bluntly. “Dammit.”

  Sal’s big eyes squeezed small. “I wish to God I could. But that’s not possible.”

  Tommy saw the anguish in Sal’s eyes. He leaned back. “What are you telling me, Salvatore? Are you finally admitting to me what I’ve known all along?”

  Sal frowned. “How should I know what you’ve known all along?”

  “Are you finally admitting out loud that you’re a mob boss, Sal? Are you finally admitting it?”

  Sal hesitated. Then he exhaled. “I have people depending on me. I’ve got to be all in.”

  Tommy knew his brother. He knew when he was flexible, and when there was no going back. He stood up and walked around his desk. Sal, he decided, was in the no going back box.

  Tommy leaned against the front of his desk and folded his arms. “What can I do to help?” he asked.

  “Thanks for asking,” Sal said earnestly, “but there’s nothing you can do at this point. But I’ll let you know.” Sal smiled. “You know I will.”

  “What about GCI?” Tommy asked. “Who’s going to run the Vegas office? Any suggestions?”

  Sal nodded. “Actually, yes.”


  “Good,” Tommy said. “Who? Do they work in the Vegas office itself, or here in Seattle? Or neither?”

  “Neither,” Sal said.

  “Then who is this person? I’m dying to know.”

  “I recommend we keep it in the family. I recommend you hire Jimmy Mack to take my place.”

  Tommy didn’t expect to hear that name. “Jimmy Mack?”

  “Yeah. I mean, you’re have to groom him for the position first, but eventually yeah. I think Jimmy Mack can do it.”

  Tommy was still thrown. “Our Jimmy Mack?”

  “Yes.”

  “Reno’s Jimmy Mack?”

  “Yes, Tommy, yes. Damn! He can do the job.”

  But Tommy’s memory was long. “Reno didn’t think so when he had him running his hotel in New Hampshire.”

  “I would have fucked up too,” Sal said, “if I had to run anything in New Hampshire. Jimmy is a big city man. A Vegas man. He belongs in Vegas. He wasn’t going to thrive in some sleepy-ass town somewhere. He’ll thrive at GCI.”

  “But what does he know about our company?” Tommy asked. “Why didn’t you take him under your wings?”

  Sal was surprised Tommy would ask such a question. “Are you kidding me? Reno would have wanted my hide if I took his precious boy away from his duties at the PaLargio.”

  Tommy wondered if Sal saw the contradiction. “But yet you have no problem with Reno having my hide if I take his precious boy away from his duties at the PaLargio?”

  “Ah, come on, Tommy!” Sal waved his hand. “Reno will give you the keys to his kingdom if you asked. He doesn’t put you in the same boat as me. You’re on a fucking yacht in Reno’s eyes. My slick ass is on a dinghy.”

  Tommy laughed. But then he thought about what Sal was asking. “You really think Jimmy has what it takes to run my Vegas office?”

  Sal nodded. “I see it in him, yeah, I do. Even after you groom him for the position, he’ll need some good lieutenants, and he have them already on staff. But once he gets up to speed, he’ll be fierce. I believe that.”

  “You always had a soft spot for Jimmy Mack, Sal. I just don’t want it interfering with your judgment.”

  “It’s not. He’s up for the job. It’s up to you, but if you ask me, and you did, Jim’s my choice.”

  “Okay,” Tommy said. “And what is Jimmy saying about this possible elevation?”

  Sal didn’t understand the question. “What do you mean?”

  “What did he say when you asked if he wanted the job?” Tommy asked.

  “He didn’t say shit,” Sal responded. “I haven’t asked him.”

  Tommy smiled and shook his head. “Well don’t you think you ought to ask him before you broach the subject with me?”

  “Why wouldn’t he say yes? He’s a fucking pit boss in Reno’s casino. He’ll run your entire Vegas office someday. He’ll agree. Don’t you worry about that.”

  “And what about you?” Tommy asked.

  “What about me?”

  “Should I be worrying about you?”

  Sal loved his brother’s concern. And he exhaled. He had to get it off of his chest. “The reason I left that restaurant last night,” he said, “was because I saw Yvonne Welker.”

  Tommy stared at Sal. And frowned. “What are you talking about? You saw Yvonne Welker? She’s dead, Sal.”

  “I know that. You think I don’t know that? My ass was there, remember?” He uncrossed his legs, leaned forward, and placed his elbows on his thighs. He looked Tommy dead in his eyes. “I saw Yvonne,” he said.

  “Did you talk to her?”

  Sal shook his head. “When our eyes met,” he said, “she took off. But I saw her, Tommy. Just as sure as I’m looking at you, I saw Yvonne.”

  Tommy was still doubtful, but he knew Sal was no prankster. “You followed her, I take it?”

  “You know I followed her ass! You think I’m gonna see a ghost and just let it ride? Yeah, I followed her. She’s the one who set me up.”

  Tommy was still reeling from this revelation of Sal’s, but he wasn’t so thrown that he couldn’t ask pertinent questions. “She set you up? How do you mean?”

  “I followed her, as she knew I would, and then her goons tried to take me out. Nearly did take me out. But it was her. It was Yvonne.”

  “Does she have a twin?” Tommy asked. “Could that be who you saw?”

  “I never heard her talk about no twin,” Sal said. Then he ran his hands through his hair. “Her old man iced her ass, and yes, it was because she fucked around with me. But I don’t see how that was my fault. But maybe she doesn’t see it that way.”

  “Damn right, it wasn’t your fault.” Tommy said. “You should have turned her down, but it wasn’t your fault.”

  “Now she’s back from the dead? Is that what I’m supposed to think? Her ass tormenting me like this?” Sal stood up angrily. He began pacing again, running his hand through his hair again. “What the fuck am I supposed to do about a ghost?”

  “And how does seeing whatever it was you saw tie into what’s happening with your organization?” Tommy asked.

  Sal stopped pacing and nodded. “Yeah, that’s the question I have too. Because this shit sure as hell is no coincidence. First, they try to take out me and my entire family at Reston’s. Then I see Yvonne and have another near-death experience? And at the same time, my entire syndicate is under assault so much so that I have to get into the game full-time?”

  Sal nodded again. “There’s a tie-in, alright. I just have to figure out what it is.”

  “And who’s behind it,” Tommy said.

  Sal nodded. “And who’s behind it,” he agreed. Then he sat back down. “I’ve got to figure it out.”

  “Want my guys to look into this Yvonne angle?” Tommy asked.

  “That would be helpful,” Sal said. “I don’t want my men to know about it yet. They’ll think I lost my marbles on top of my swag if I told them about some fucking ghost.”

  Tommy thought about it. “Didn’t Von used to run with some mobster?”

  “Yeh. Fast Eddie Bronson,” Sal said. “That’s who iced her.”

  “I’ll start with him then. If he’s still around.”

  Sal nodded. “Thanks, Tommy. I knew I could count on you.”

  Tommy stared at him. “Told Gemma who you thought you saw?” he asked.

  Sal rose to his feet. “She’s got enough on her plate. I need to know what I need to know before I get her involved. Maybe I didn’t see what I saw. Maybe I’ve been so spooked lately I am seeing ghosts.” Then he exhaled. “Or maybe not. Fuck, I sound as confused as I feel! I better get back.”

  “Get back?” Tommy asked as he rose to his feet and began walking from around his desk. “You just got to Seattle and you’re heading back already?”

  “I couldn’t tell my brother I’m leaving his company over the telephone.” They were now toe to toe. “I came to tell you man to man,” he said to Tommy. “I told you. Now I’ve got to go. You know I don’t like to be out of town with all of this shit going on.”

  It was only then did Tommy see the anguish in Sal’s eyes. He touched Sal’s big bicep and squeezed. “Take care of yourself, Sal Luca.”

  Sal nodded and gave off a weak smile. “I’m trying,” he said.

  But it was the weakness of his smile that saddened Tommy most. Sal always loved his mob life, although he did everything in his power to keep that love away from Tommy. But after he married Gemma and after they had Lucky, he also knew Sal was doing everything in his power to lessen his involvement. Now apparently that very lessening had caused him to need to go all-out again. To do the very thing Tommy knew he didn’t want to have to do. That smile, to Tommy, said it all. And he moved closer to Sal, and pulled him into his big arms.

  The two brothers hugged for an inordinately long time. Sal could feel himself getting emotional, but he held back any tears. This had to be done. His main concern was Tommy. He needed to know that Tommy understood that, too.
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  When they stopped embracing, Sal looked at his older brother. “You do understand what I’m doing, right?” he asked him. “They’re coming for me boldly now. They don’t give a fuck about what I did in the past or what my name used to mean. It’s what my name means now, and apparently, thanks to my men, it don’t mean shit. I’ve got to turn that around or my family will be in danger from here on out.”

  Tommy still held onto Sal’s arms. He nodded. “There’s no getting out,” he said. “I know that.”

  “And there’s no half-stepping anymore,” Sal said. “I know that. I thought I could do it. Hell, you and Reno dabble your feet into all kinds of mob-connected shit.”

  “Connected, yeah,” Tommy admitted. “Reno and I have some mob connections. But you are the mob, Sal. You’re a boss. That’s why it was so heartbreaking when I began to suspect what you were really up to. Because a boss can’t get his feet wet. A boss can’t just have a connection. A boss is the connection. You will have to plunge all the way in, or get the hell out. And there’s no getting out.”

  Tommy frowned, and squeezed Sal’s biceps again. “That’s why it broke my heart when you decided to go down that road,” he said. “I wish to God you would have consulted me first. Because I would have told you this day would come.”

  Sal looked heartfelt at his brother. “I’m sorry, Tommy. When Reno’s old man, when Uncle Paulo turned me into one of his made men, I knew that was just the beginning. I couldn’t tell you or Pop. I couldn’t even tell Reno. And I didn’t have the DNA to just be a wise guy all my life. I broke free of him, and did my own thing. But back then, I was by myself, Tommy. I didn’t have a wife that loved me, or a kid of my own. I didn’t give a shit. I lived, I died, who the fuck cared?”

  Tommy didn’t dispute what Sal was saying. Sal knew his brother loved him. But that could never be enough, and Tommy knew it.

  “Nothing mattered to me back then,” Sal continued. “That’s why I was such a fuck-up as a cop. That’s why I went into business with a ruthless motherfucker like Uncle Paulo to begin with. If I tried to get out now that would only mean weakness. That would only mean open season on my wife and son. And nobody’s opening any seasons on them.”