22. Brie

CHAPTER 22

Brie

I’ve commandeered one of the conference rooms to hold this video call to the Colombo Underboss—but not the one the Family uses. Fittingly, it’s the one Eva Novak and I had several meetings over the contracts. Nik has the tablet in hand and has checked and rechecked the connection, the secure app we plan to use, and is now drumming her knee up and down under the table.

As for me, my hands won’t stop trembling. I curl them into fists, pressing them against my skirt. Eva’s “favor” came through very quickly. She’s not just boasting when she talks about the influence she has. So I just hope I’ll get something of use from Joe Buccino to make it worthwhile for what I’ve given up to Eva.

“Connection’s secure,” Nik murmurs, her hand brushing my shoulder. “Encrypted line, untraceable. Eva may be a snake, but she knows her tech.” She double-checks the equipment one final time, her movements precise and professional. “But remember, we probably won’t have long.” She looks at the clock. “Ready?”

I nod, throat tight. The screen flickers to life, and then Nik dials in on the app, and a moment later I’m staring at Big Joe Buccino’s face. Prison hasn’t been kind to him—his hair is longer, unkempt, and there are circles under his eyes speaking of sleepless nights. I guess he’s been trying to keep one eye open. But his gaze is as sharp as ever.

“Breezy.” His voice crackles through the speakers. “Gotta say, you’re the last person I expected to hear from. But it’s good to see that pretty face of yours.”

I took special efforts in making myself up for this call with Joe. We always got along alright; he was one of the paternalistic rather than leering types, and I think I remind him of one of his granddaughters.

“Joe.” I lean forward with a wide smile, acutely aware of how precious these minutes are—but I need to charm before I demand. “It’s so great to see you.”

Big Joe Buccino was Terry’s Underboss—his second in command—for decades. Older than Terry, but well respected in the Family, he would have been the natural choice to step up to Boss after Terry’s death…if he hadn’t been arrested a few months ago. Bail was never on the table, and he was taken to federal prison for pre-trial detention.

Joe grunts, glancing at something—someone—off-screen. “Guess I should thank you for reaching out. Only one who has.” A pause, heavy with meaning. “What the fuck is going on over there, huh? Rumors come through, but it’s hard to make sense of them.”

“You know about Terry,” I say cautiously.

“Course I do.”

“Well—Frank is having a little trouble dealing with Vince and Larry?—”

“Yeah, I fucking bet he is,” Joe says, and then he chuckles. “And how do you know all this, Breezy? How in the hell did you get this call arranged? No, forget about that—Terry always said you were smarter than people gave you credit for. You just tell me what you need, sweetheart, cuz I don’t think you’d be calling me just to say hi.”

Well, that makes things simpler. “I wanted to ask you about the casino’s finances. Were you looking into some irregularities before you, um, went away?”

“Yeah. Actually, it was Terry—he noticed something was wrong. Cuts were smaller over the last few months. He asked me to look into it, keep it quiet. Had my eye on two people—Sophie Johnson and Phil Reynolds.” He shifts, the cheap prison uniform crinkling. “Thing is, both of them came out clean.”

“What do you mean?” Nik asks, leaning into frame.

Big Joe blinks at her but doesn’t waste time asking who she is. “Johnson’s personal financials were perfect—not a penny out of place. Reynolds was the same way. Usually when someone’s skimming, there are traces. Living beyond their means, offshore accounts, something.” Joe shakes his head. “These two? Nothing. Made me wonder if I was looking at the wrong people entirely.”

“Could someone else have had access?” I press.

“That’s what was driving me crazy. The system’s locked down tight. Only a handful of people had the clearance.” He rubs his jaw, frustration evident. “But I barely started digging when the Feds came down on me.”

The timing isn’t lost on me. Someone wanted Joe out of the way—someone who knew he was investigating the missing money.

“Joe,” I say carefully, “who do you think killed Terry?”

“Wish I knew. But whoever did it knew the casino, if they got to him in his office. Inside job, had to be.”

“My money’s on Larry,” I tell him. “He and Vince are both gunning for the top spot, but Larry thinks he’s got it locked down.”

Joe barks out a harsh laugh. “Larry wants the top job? Christ. Guy’s got muscle, sure. Family respects him. But running the whole operation? He can barely handle the weekly numbers.” He leans closer to the camera. “Larry’s the kind of guy you want in a fight, not in the big chair. And Vince…” He trails off, considering.

“What about Vince?” Nik prompts.

“Vince is smart. Too smart, maybe. Always looking out for number one. Yeah, he showed loyalty to Terry, but only because Terry was winning.” Joe’s voice drops lower. “But neither of them has what it takes to lead the Family.”

My heart beats faster just as a voice interrupts from off-screen, hissing at him. “Hurry up, Buccino.”

Joe waves him off impatiently. “Hey, speaking of all this shit—who’s working on getting me out? My lawyer’s gone ghost on me.”

Of course the Family should be working with his lawyer, calling in favors, greasing palms. The fact that it isn’t speaks volumes.

“I’ll look into it,” I promise. “Get you better representation, at least.”

“Appreciate it.” His eyes search mine through the screen. “You know, Terry and I had a long talk about succession when I told him I wanted out.”

“You wanted out?” I repeat.

“I’m too old for this shit. And I tell you what, I don’t wanna spend the rest of my life inside, either. Anyways, we talked it over, who should step up when I was gone. Hell, when he was gone. Told him I didn’t like any of the options in the Family. Too greedy, too short-sighted.”

“And?”

“Thirty seconds,” the voice warns.

“You know he had ideas about the future,” Joe continues, ignoring what I assume is the prison guard that Eva Novak bribed to allow Joe access to a phone. “Modernizing things, growing the herd, bringing the Family into the twenty-first century. Said we needed someone who could think differently, see opportunities others missed?—”

The guard’s hand appears at the edge of the frame. “That’s it. Time’s up.”

“Joe, wait—” I try frantically, but the screen goes black.

I sit back, mind racing. Nik’s hand finds mine, and I squeeze it hard.

“Well,” she says softly, “at least we got something out of him.”

“We did. And I’m starting to think that missing money has more to do with things than I first realized.” I close my eyes, piecing it together. Someone was skimming money from the casino. Terry noticed, asked Joe to investigate. Then suddenly Joe’s taken out of play with convenient evidence, and Terry ends up dead.

“The guard interrupted before Joe could tell us if he would be willing to…support you,” Nik says delicately.

“If I can not only find the will but also prove who murdered Terry, I think that’d help a lot with my claim.” I open my eyes, a plan forming. “I’ll have Phil pull the casino’s financial records for the past year and write up a report for me. Someone’s been covering their tracks, but nobody’s perfect.” I stand, smoothing my skirt with steadier hands. The trembling is gone, replaced by cold determination. “And I think it’s time to show the Family exactly what Terry saw in me.”

Because Joe was right about one thing—neither Larry nor Vince has what it takes to lead the Colombos into the future. They’re still playing by old rules, fighting old battles.

But I’m playing a different game entirely, and I intend to win.