That’s part of life

Benny called Pete early that morning asking him to meet with a man named Teresi, a friend of  Sergio Leone.    Pete asked Benny when did he become Leone errand boy.  Benny laughed and told Pete to go fuck himself causing Pete to laugh.  Pete jotted the time and the location of the meet.  Pete wasn’t stupid and he did not trust Leone.  He had two days before the meet.  He sent Abram and Joe Joe to the meeting; they would arrive three hours early to check the place out and monitor who goes in and out.  Whispers will go with Pete.  Neil and Bobby will go in an hour before Pete.  Gina will go in as a waitress four hours before the meet.  He had a friend that was the manager for the day to ensure Gina works Pete’s table. 

The day of the meet came just as Pete wanted.  Teresi was a short but extremely stocky looking man.  He was also surrounded by a dozen men.  He looked around the room and walked over towards Pete.  Whispers stood up and walked over to the next table.  Pete looked up and kicked out a chair for him.  He sat and started to stare at him.  Pete looked at the man and told  him it's his dime so he better get to talking.    Then an awkward silence came and he looked at Whispers.  

Teresi started with the talks with facts about Pete's private life.  Everything started with what he heard from the streets concerning Pete’s life.    Pete Knew that the only person that would know those particular facts heard it from someone closely connected to him, Charlie and Myere’s.  Frank would never betray him so that leaves Vito.  Pete and Vito knew each other but were not the best of friends like Pete was with the others.  Pete knew that he had to speak to Charlie and Frankie, Vito was close friends with Leone and Leone hated Pete and Pete wanted Leone out of the mix or have his mouth shut the fuck up.  

Teresi stated that he knows that Pete’s the man that's helping Roxie and Big Moe.  That Pete streamline their business and increased the sales while decreasing the risk..  Pete never confirmed a word, in fact his facial expressions never changed he just smiled which caused Teresi to ask, was he talking to Peter Gangi.  

Teresi turned and called over Paul Servino and asked who was this guy and replied that Mr. Gangi.  Teresi looked at Pete again, now upset because he made Teresi look crazy.  Teresi started to grind her teeth thinking that Peter disrespected him.  He spoke sternly and kept his eyes locked onto Peter’s eyes.  

When Teresi was finished explaining what he wanted Peter to do and what Pete would get for the work Peter smiled and then told Teresi he would think about it.  Pete thought that the offer was appealing but it was connected to Leone and he would know and tell anyone what Pete did so that he can look like a big shot making connections and calling shots.  Peter refused to let a man like Leone make a name of the sweat of a Gangi.   Pete believed that only one can keep a secret, and Leone was not to be trusted.

Pete leaned forward and told Teresi either way he would contact him himself.  Teresi nodded slowly and as he stood, so did all the men that came with him.  Teresi looked at Pete with such disdain but Pete continued to smile as to show Teresi that you can’t fuck with a Gangi.   Yet Pete knew that he would see Teresi again and might have to handle him with kid gloves or with a heavy hand at a later date. .  A man that wears his emotions on his  sleeves is not a man, he's a child pretending to be a man.   

Pete stood to his feet and walked to his car followed by his own people.  

Part Two coming soon!

Part Two

Pete had a lot of thinking to do.  The deal from Teresi was on his mind all week.  It would make Pete a very rich man and place Pete in a position to be the top earner in any organization.  However, the deal would also make him a target and feared at the sametime.  Pete liked the low profile that he maintained; he looked like a professional business man and not a thug.  Pete had to think about current business.  He made promises and the people that he provided for were having issues with following his instructions and promises that they made.  Pete had to determine who he or should he make an example out of one or both of them.  

Pete was at his second meeting in as many weeks they met at a local restaurant in Hollywood.  He had to catch a train from New York to Los Angeles. This time he was meeting with the people in ChinaTown and GreekTown.  Bodies were dropping and the two were now stepping on each other's toes and Pete wanted to know the how’s, when’s and why’s.   They needed to get back to business or get a new plug.  Pete had no problems finding people to move his product because of the quality.  

Uncle Lee from Chinatown was now in charge after Wong's death.  Then there was Ambrose at the table; he was the leader for the faction in Greektown.    One five days seven bodies washed up in Chinatown and four bodies in Greektown.  One of those men was Ambrose's little brother and the deaths were  getting attention from federal law enforcement.   Both parties were blaming the other for starting the war.  Yet neither could say how it started.  Only that they lost valuable people and it started when Uncle Wong died.  Yet no one could say he was poisoned, only he died unexpectedly.     

Pete asked a few questions to get them to think.  Who gains from them going to war.  What do they lose and how do they come back from it afterwards.  Both leaders were silent.  Then Pete asked the first question again.  They stated that the local cops lose money for looking the other way and the other local gangs were too small so that leaves the Italians they gain because they can sell to both territories without stepping into them.  Pete then said that’s the part that confused him because they were ten miles between the two territories.  

Pete told them to make peace and keep him as a plug or find a new supplier.  He told them that he would speak with Albert Marco and his capo August Palumbo and he will appreciate the offer or his replacement will accept the offer.  The two leaders looked at each other then Pete watched as they shook hands and agreed to fall back and allow Pete to deal with the real issue.   Pete then walked away along with Whisper and Niel.  The next day the LA local paper read that August Palumbo was found gunned down while walking to work in broad daylight.   It got Alberts attention and his commitment to stop fucking with Pete business.  

With that out of the way Pete was able to think about his issues with Roxie.  He found himself conflicted with working with her or Teresi.  Roxie was incredible and her smile melted made him melt.  Pete loved her carefree spirit but she was a loaded pistol and could go off at any moment.   Pete also thought about the man she was seeing so much of that it irritated him yet he was there first.  Pete wasn’t used to waiting on the sidelines.  Nevertheless he couldn't get the look of her with her baseball cap and ponytail out of his mind.  He liked her liquid brown eyes and how she gets wide eyed when she’s excited about something.   She was also headstrong and could be a monster when she gets passionate about something.  

Part three coming soon

Part three

Pete had spent the day collecting debts for his Don.  He even had his bosses taxes from his own rackets. Whispers and Robert took the tribute to Pete’s Don Dan.   Pete walked into his apartment the phone was ringing and by the time he reached it the call ended.  Pete shook his head and started towards his kitchen.  Then the phone began to ring again.  Pete picked up the receiver and as the voice on the other end began speaking Pete received a boost of energy that he was lacking.  

Pete said nothing other than yes and sure.  He smiled as he walked back towards the kitchen and made himself a sandwich.  Then he cleaned the mess he made and headed to his bedroom to take a shower.  He was singing in the shower and then when he was done he got dressed in a white blazer jacket, with a powder blue silk shirt and navy blue dress pants with matching socks.  A brown belt to match his light brown shoes.   He put on gold cufflinks with a gold silk tie.  He tied his tie in a windsornot.  Pete put on his gold watch and looked in the mirror.  He put a dab of his favorite cologne and then grabbed his 45 and tucked it in the small of his back between his back and pants.  He then put on his family ring that bore his family crest.  

Pete arrived at the restaurant and when he walked up to her table she smiled and introduced Pete to her friends.  Pete was a bit disappointed when he arrived; he thought it was just her and him.  She had two other females with her and kept trying to pass them off on Pete.  Pete played it cool as he acted interested in what they all had to say.   He smiled and interacted in each and every conversation but in his mind he knew that what he wanted was not going to happen.  He had to prepare for the worst and not having her was a pain he had to brace himself for.  He took a few sips of his wine and watched the show. He could feel the eyes of all three women on the back of his neck.  

When the show ended Pete turned towards the three ladies as the waiter brought the bill for the table.  Pete paid the bill as the women looked at each other and then offered to pay because they ran up a large ticket with the wines they were drinking.  Pete told them that he could afford it, his business was doing well.  Pete then turned as Whispers and Robert walked up and spoke to him.  Pete never said a word he looked and gave a nod and then turned towards the women and told them that he needed to go.  Pete looked at each of the ladies as he said goodnight to each one by name.  

Pete turned and walked away with the two men that came looking for him.  Once they were outside Pete thanked them and told them their timing was perfect.  They asked what was the issue.  Pete told them that a man can want many things in life but some things he has to realize he can have.  They ask which one he was looking to have.  Pete never said a word out of respect for her.   He walked to his car and started it.  He then lit a cigarette and then drove home.  The men followed behind him ensuring that their boss Pete was safe.  

When he entered his apartment his phone rang again. It was her, she wanted to know why he rushed off and was everything okay.  Pete Toward her everything was okay and that he enjoyed the dinner.  She stated that they didn’t get the chance to discuss business and Pete laughed and told her that he was sure that whatever business she was going to do it would be successful as usual.   Before she could say another word he asked her how she was doing.  She replied good and how she has a way to increase her profits.  She told him that they needed to meet because what she had to say was not to be said over the phone. 

Part Four coming soon

The fourth installment 

Pete was woken to someone knocking on his door.  He put on his robe and walked to the door.  He stood to the side with his pistol pointing at the center ready to kill whomever was on the other side.  Pete yelled who was it?  He heard the voice and shook his head. It was her at six am.  He tucked his pistol between his pajama pants and the small of his back.  He opened the door as she rushed past him talking a mile a minute that he didn’t understand a word she said.  

She had breakfast and was spreading it out on his kitchen table.  He grabbed a couple of glasses to pour water into.  He looked at her and smiled and asked her what’s going on.  She replied that she felt some kind of way because they never got to cover business and that he looked surprised when he saw her with her friends.  Pete didn’t say a word; he was surprised that she saw that.    Pete realized that she could read him like a book.  

As they ate she began to tell him how she got into the drug business and how things changed when her boyfriend started using the product.  He even ripped her and their partners off when he stole some cash from them.  Her boyfriend jeopardised the connection.  She told Pete how her supplier came and grabbed her off the streets just to have a conversation.   Normally they have the full payment for the product they can increase the order but agreed not to decrease the orders.  They wanted to know why she only had half the money.  They told her that she will only get half the order and they will hold the other half when she pays.  Going forward she needed to pay in advance for the next shipment.  

She told Pete how she and her partner had to gather every penny to get the other half of the product and when they sold all that they had to use every penny to purchase the next shipment and have been paying in advance since.   When she spoke to her then boyfriend she found out that he had been skimming money from her and her partner since the beginning to give to his father acting as if he was a big earner.  She then told how he was stoned when he told her the truth.  She was furious and when she asked how he was going to return the stolen money he became indignant.   

Pete realized that she did what she needed to do and why she needed to get things running right.  Pete knew then that she was starting to trust him and that the connect would not want to deal with someone new when she already had an issue and has started to get things right and her order has increased with Pete coming onboard.  Things on the streets in every region are running smoothly with no gun play for territory.   The look in her eyes let Pete know that she was hurt badly by that guy and trust was not easily given.  Pete reassured her that he would never use or steal from her.  She smiled as she told him that she had him vetted and everyone that Pete dealt with stated that Pete always made money for and with his partners.  That he was a man to be respected and trusted because he would share his last nickel with his friends.  

Pete smiled and asked surprisingly who the hell did she get to tell her that.  She stated his friends always tell people that Pete is a great friend to have on the team.  Pete nodded as he took up all the dirty dishes.  Pete then looked at her as she had moved to the couch and fell asleep.  Pete then placed a blanket over her and went and took his shower and got dressed.  When he was done She was just starting to wake up. Pete didn’t say a word, he just smiled as she was folding the blanket.  He stared at her and wished he had a clue on how she really felt about him.   He paused for a second as he looked into her eyes.  He wished that he could see through her, he wanted to see deep into her and know what she was thinking.  He wanted to know if he was what she needed.   He wanted some kind of sign to know; if only he could read her mind.   He wanted to ask her if she was in, or was he still on his own.  He truly needed some kind of clue from her, he wanted to ask her to let him know.  Could she feel him?  He knew that she could read him however he wanted to know was he really getting through to her.  Then he cleared his throat and said to her:

“I wanna know, are you with me? Are you listening? Iis my message getting through?”

She asked him what the hell was he talking about?    Pete replied.

“Woman!  The only reason I decided to work with you was because you have something that affects me mentally, you have become someone that I desire to be with on a mental, physical and spiritual level.” 

Then he explained how she changed him, how she's the one that got him to enjoy the now; to be present in the now, even how his pals think he’s evolved.   

Part Five coming soon.

The Fifth Installment 

Pete took her by the hand and told her he was taking her to lunch and shopping.  She yanked her hand back and looked him in the eyes and told him she was going looking like this while he got all cleaned up.  They both laughed as he nodded in agreement.  She told him to follow her but not to get any wild ideas.  Playing the role of a boy scout he gave her his pledged on his honor that he would not.  When they made it to her apartment she told him to make himself a drink while she freshens up.  

Pete poured himself a shot of her vodka then noticed  pitchers of her growing up and then a few pictures of her as teen with the guy she was seeing, Pete shook his head as he knew then that they have been together for sometime.  They broke up at some point because she killed her last boyfriend.  He thought that she must have ran back into this guy's arms or maybe she got him to kill the other one.   He sat down on her couch and turned towards her balcony sliding doors and looked at the skyline. 

Then he looked up and there she was, dressed like she was going horseback riding.  She even sported a riding cap.  He smiled as he stood from his seat and took two steps back nodding with amazement at how she could look so good in that outfit.  Nevertheless it showed her sexy shape and for today she was with him going out to enjoy the day.  She grabbed her purse and they walked out of her apartment.  Then as they approached the elevator Pete faced went from smiles to why the fuck now.  

She stepped in front of Pete and then hugged the man that stepped off the elevator.  Pete exhaled and gave a slight head nod as he realized that the day from him ended before it started.  She turned towards Pete and told Pete to meet her brother.  Pete smiled again and then shot his hand out to shake her brother's hand.  Pete didn't hear a word she said after meet my brother.   The three of them spoke for a few minutes and laughed then she asked her brother if he wanted to join them, Pete agreed and he gave a nod in agreement.   They went out to a few stores where the two men watched her try on outfit after outfit after outfit yet she bought none of them.    

Pete got to know the man and their history as kids growing up.  Pete from time to time and saw that her smile grew a little brighter each time he looked at her.  Pete listened carefully when her brother talked about the problem she had following her and how she told him how happy she was when Pete joined their operation.  Pete was surprised that she even talked about him.  Then Pete told him that her problem wasn’t truly discussed in detail.  Pete asked a few dozen questions and her brother opened up to Pete  and told him a great deal of information.  Pete then explained some things about what he heard but could not verify and what he knew.  then both men had a better picture of what was trailing her.  Pete then told her brother that he would do all that he could to protect her but he would need his help.  Pete explained that he needed to cut some ties with the people that were helping the opposing side and then they would start eliminating the muscle of the opposite team. 

Pete assured him that she and him could have the man that was running point on her being wacked and that his friends were strong enough together to help them handle whatever was coming their way.  Pete continued to explain the way he had set things up, that his friends were making more than they knew what to do with.  money moving the white and the brown to include the Canadian whiskey which was top shelf brands.  

Her brother nodded and then explained to Pete that he had deep pockets and connections with various crews across the country.  Pete smiled as they shook hands knowing that together this vendetta would end with a stalemate or the enemy in traction.  She walked over and then asked them what they were talking about.  Both men said the future.  She smiled as she told them it was nice to see them both getting along so well.  The two men looked at each other and laughed then they took her to lunch where she told them that she was happy and finally felt at peace.  

The conclusion coming soon.

Six dam pages 

Pete had a final sitdown with Charlie and Meyer at his joint Gangi’s in Manhattan, New York.  Pete explained everything to them from start to finish leaving nothing out.  He told them why he didn’t want to do the hit.  Meyer understood he was a married man and he understood the financial losses.  Charlie had concerns about hitting Leone.  Pete asks Charlie how did Teresi know so many details about certain jobs?   That’s when Charlie looked at Meyer and then lit a cigarette.  Pete waited for Charlie to speak and after a few puffs from his cigarette he gave a simple head nod and then asked when do we eat?   They laughed then Pete gave a look to the men at the end of the joint and Whispers gave a wave to the waitresses as they hurried to bring the food to the table.   

Pete waited until Charlie and Meyer left and then called his team.  Whispers let the staff out so they could go home.  They were all surrounding Pete.  He told them that he needed them to soldier up.  He needed them to have their boots laced up and heart hard for the work he wanted.  Pete explained that Nails is going  to drive Carlos and Neri to Leone’s pool hall in four hours and hit him as he goes to open the hall. Whispers explained that Leone always walks the two blocks from his apartment to the poolhall and because of his pride and reputation, Leone would never think that someone would hit him there. 

They would have the windows down and two Thompsons as the car is parked across the street.  The night precinct police officer for that area will get the call and delay it for a few minutes.  So they don’t have to peel off like a bat out of hell.  They were to head to the second address and wait for Pete.  If he is not there by 8am they should reload and spray the place.  If Pete does arrive on time they should cover the bosses backside.       

The second leg of this battle was where Pete was to bring a gift to a woman that he came to care about.  Pete was going with his female bodyguards Rita and Gina to see Teresi.   They are to have a final sit down to review the details and that's when Robert , and  Nero will drive up and let the brother and sister team out of the car and watch their backs.  The two will come in blazing, Rita, Gina and Pete will take out Teresi men as the brother and sister do the same as they enter the joint that Teresa loved to meet at..  Pete promised the brother and sister Teresi that they could have Teresi.  They will do what they need to do.  Then Gina and Whispers with Neri will ride with Pete to relay the term to Teresi’s uncle and explain why he needs to let a  father’s thirst for revenge go.  Killing her would ruin the man and the family he leads.    

The hit on Leone went off like clockwork.  They headed to meet Pete at the third leg of the battle.  The second leg was a little hectic.   Teresi came with ten men to ensure that he was safe at all times.  Gina and Rita moved slowly around the room.  Smiling at the men they were going to kill the girls showed  why they were so good.  Then shots rang out and that was when the girls and Pete shot the four men in the room with Teresi.  They heard a man calling out to Pete and that’s when Pete yelled it was all clear for them to enter the room.  The girls checked the bodies and nodded two Pete.   Pete looked at the woman he did this for and smiled as he walked by.   She slapped Pete on his butt and Pete stopped and looked back at her as she winked at Pete.  She laughed as she could see Pete was not used to that and looked puzzled as to what the hell happened.  

Then Pete and all his people there drove to the last leg.  They arrived three minutes before 8am.  They looked at each other as they walked into the Restaurant that the old man loved to have breakfast.  He had six men with him and was placing his order.  Pete walked over with the Brother and Sister team.  The Old man recognized the woman and her brother but it was Pete that did all the talking at first.  He explained that the old Man was safe; however, he was not leaving the meeting happy.  His men had been stripped of their guns and stood at the bar.  

Pete told him that he had two very important decisions to make.  Option A he let’s go of the anger and leaves Roxie alone forever and bury his nephew Teresi.  He will be able to manage his family the way he wants as long as he doesn’t create problems with any of the other families or he could go it alone and hope he could find a friend with the Delaware faction.  But the day that word gets out that he violated this truce he would have to deal with the five families and the rest of the commission.  Pete then explained that plan B would also come with certain protection.  They can purchase some of the brown to move within their territories.  The Old man looked at the girl with such hatred that it was felt.  Pete stood to his feet and then looked back at the old man and said life and death is in the palm of his hand he should choose life.  Then the people that came with Pete walked out and back to the car.  

Next the Saga.