One Week Later...

-

In the time where Gio had finally found the 'evidence' against Hayes. It had been a bold move but so had hiring the New York associate do a job like this for them, if anyone found out, it could have meant their heads. 

Now they were sitting down in a lounge, each of them looking around at the different faces that were around. Some of them waiting for the next news of Tyler Durden and his boys to roll through town, apparently some of them had done so a few days back. Deciding to impede on the celebrations of an Iris out of Philadelphia. 

It had been quite the cleanup, though Vincent and Valerie were not here to keep their heads on the swivel. They had kept to the news of Giovanni and his gang, wondering how he had been doing and so it turned out that they had placed their trust in the correct man. He had now sat by their side with a drink in hand and a smile on his face. 

All that remained was for Vincent to explain the reason behind this gathering. Cause it was not only Gio from New York sitting at this table with them, but it was also Joe Salero, a member of the Rugia Crew. Now it was time to bring this to them...a chance to make something of themselves, the moment where all paths would connect for them. 

"While I appreciate the silence, somewhat enjoy it Vincent but I did come here for some business, tell me what's going on. I do have to get back to New York eventually, spending a week here is enough to raise some thin eyebrows."

That brought a chuckle from Joey as Vincent sipped at his whiskey, knowing that he had to broach this carefully. What he was suggesting would be considered treason against Lombardi and the Las Vegas syndicate. It would be the end of their lives, they had connections and maybe that would be enough to save the upstarts but it was a big maybe. 

"I've come to the recent conclusion that I will not get what I rightfully deserve, a seat on the Las Vegas commission. A place where my family name is to be honoured and meant something, only this is more than just about ego. We brought the deal to our respective crews, didn't we Gio?"

The young man could not deny what it was, he nodded his head, already knowing where this was going. This was a rebellion, one that would see their heads mounted on pikes...oh who the fuck was he kidding!? They would be left in unmarked graves, they were nobodies and all of this was a pure scheme to become something, somebody, anybody in the eyes of their superiors. 

Still, he could not deny the sweet words were enticing in his head, they gripped him tight threatened to not let go. As if it was an oath of sorts, maybe it was. Gio did not know why but he stays seated, allowing himself a moment to think to himself as he continued to listen. 

"The rules in Vegas are clear, the commission does not operate as a ruling body to the other gangs. In fact, they are used as nothing more but mere horses that cart product from location to another. We could be the same way, Nevada is a different place altogether, a big place that allows leeway with many of the families."

Clear, and to the point. Everyone knew what this was but nobody had the balls to say. Though, as if gripped by the power of a raging storm, Vincent looked at each of his conspirators. They all knew what he was recommending, he decided to say it outright. 

"This would be the beginnings of our own crew, we will not be operating under my family name. The Carelo family business and its operations are strictly kept to England, we're talking a different start and it is why we will be naming it the Salero family."

Joe remained seated, though only Gio looked to him in something akin to surprise before it lessened to a grudging respect for him. He would watch for him, it was clear that Vincent was not done talking about what was going to happen from here. 

"With our final delivery in Nevada, we will remain out of the syndicate's hair and sticking to the country. I will not have us making enemies, our associates will be vetted and have to have a prior connection to us. How we work and how we will work, our crew will be operated with a four-leader system."

Vincent looked out at each of the faces, he knew this was going to be a bunch of people coming together looking to make their bones. This is how they did it, the Salero family would operate within the same area as the syndicate and would make sure to maintain a distance from them. They would need this in the coming weeks, otherwise, they would be sought after and killed for deserting their families. 

"Under each of us will be 2 crew captains, they will operate within our area of expertise. They will be picked over the course of our stages from here on out, this is the council of the Salero family. This is how we now operate, you are all people who I trust and are willing to put yourselves ahead of the men who would not appreciate you."

Joe and Giovanni stood, nodding their heads and going about their business, Vincent sat back down and watched them leave. They would arrive with their respective captains for the Salero family, eight crews would be working for them, covering a wide territory of Nevada and this was just the start. 

"You spoke to McTavish, haven't you Valerie?"

The ever-loyal lass by his side looked up in surprise, she was not that comfortable with what was happening. She was behind the man who had given her this, no matter what and she would follow him to hell and back. 

"I have and it seems like we have a few problems but none that can't be sorted out soon enough. I just have to see what the O'Leary faction have to offer and see if I can't have them getting back into the game that the Pavanno's gave them. This would something to them, they were the one true faction that stuck with them to the end."

Irish loyalty was something special, she knew that she had been appreciated and here they were, operating within their new stations. Ready to make some money and turn the world around, enough so that people would take notice. The gangs were disorganized and many people needed guidance, maybe that would be them. 

Valerie knew that and she believed they had a future in the American mafia. This start of the Salero family had just begun and she was questioning the type of business they would be in, what were their plans? There was more, she knew Vincent and he always had more on the table, everyone knew that they were big for their shoes, sometimes that was a bad thing but if you were smart, ready, and able, this was your world. 

"What are the plans here Vincent? I know your brother and you have more to do and to say, I trust you but this is something I have to be sure of doing. I have to know that we can make it in this world together, that has to be the promise of a lifetime for me. How do we operate in this new world?"

Vincent lifted his glass and enjoyed the cool bourbon as he shivered slightly before turning his gaze to his favourite Irish woman. His game here was just beginning, he was just about to hit his stride and now he wished to see what could be done with this. Joe Salero, Giovanni Salvador, both of these men had something to prove more than him. They would wish to pick the best men to work under them, they would wish to make sure they had something big in this family. 

His plans were to outsmart his fellow family members, he knew that he and Valerie had a power bloc here. Gio and Joe both knew that, while they were his allies, he could not be behind them. He had to be ahead and see what they could not, the games that would be played. 

"We play the game lass. Our fellow family leaders will look to one another as partners, just as we do. I need you to bring the Irish on board with us. They have the connections, they have the security that we do not with this gun trade, if we can get it back under the control of the Irish and have them working with you, we control the trade and that is how we can begin our plan to make money."

Wait! Valerie remembered a story she had heard years ago, Charlie Pavanno, the little dead fucker...people talked about his deeds but she remembered something about some traders who dealt in medicinal hardware and arms. They were something, maybe they could get into contact with Salvatore and see what he knew of these people. 

"I have something, we can completely take over the gun trade. Do you remember the story of the Ottawa traders and Charlie Pavanno? When he was working with the Ivory Tower, he got them to work with him and he became a big man within the tower. Not too much that he was made but he caused quite the stir and now he is remembered as someone who had a mind for business and elegance."

Vincent knew the story, people still spoke about it and he wondered where she was going with this but then he realized. She wanted to replicate what Charlie brought into this business, Canadian goods would do wonders but all the way to Nevada. That was a hefty task but he could see the faith and determination in the Irish woman's eyes, she wished to do this and was ready for it. 

He did not doubt her skills but it had been a long while since the Ottawa traders had been involved in organized crime. Maybe they had changed and gone legit, times had changed and maybe they did as well. Vincent knew that he could not answer that question as what they were doing had been lost when Charlie joined the Lucania family, the business had been lost since then. So the story goes.  

"Doing that is going to be something that shakes up the underworld, maybe to a small percentage. I wonder if something like this can be done and if anyone can do it, maybe you can Valerie. I'm not doubting your skills, I truly believe in you and what you can do but this is something I would have never imagined but here we are now, I trust you to talk with the correct people and set us down the correct path for this family."

Valerie tilted her head to the side, she could see it, her friend did not doubt her and he believed in her. He could see what she was ready to do for the sake of family and what it could do for her. Their bond was going to grow with these recent moves, things were going to change for the better and maybe this is where things would begin for the new Salero family, how their crew would grow in the underworld. 

"I'm hearing you, Vincent, we have this chance and we cannot let it get away from us. Whatever steps in our way, we must face it, together. The strength of this family though rests on all our backs, we cannot single out our partners, we will need them in the future and it is best that we all know this. For this is a team effort in the end."

Vincent hummed, deciding to think about that later because right now, he wished to see what would become of his friend and partner. How would she tackle Ottawa dealers of medicine and arms? He couldn't wait to see.