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"What do you expect h"

"Why would I do that?"

"Why?" Corrado scoffed, leaning back against the booth "Because they’re going to push for this to happen one way or another, whether it is done a plans to escalate the matter And I’ht happen if a war breaks out between New York and Chicago"

Senator Brolin continued to pick at his bagel, his eyes downcast as he quietly sat deep in thought "Why this casino?" he asked finally "You have as already Why not focus there?"

"Toocoally step foot inside a casino there, myself included We have to look elsewhere"

"Fine" He shoved his plate aside, glancing at his watch beforeCorrado’s eyes "I’ll talk to some friends and see what I can do"

"Good"

"You’ll owesooes"

"Absolutely," Corrado said He would expect no less "A favor for a favor"

"Precisely" Senator Brolin put on his coat, shaking his head "Although, to be honest, keeping the peace is a favor to all of usand it seeo by I don’t knohat’s gotten into that boss of yours"

"Yeah," Corrado said to himself as the man walked away "Me neither"

Corrado was back hoht He walked into his house to find his wife fast asleep in their bed, her cell phone clutched tightly in her hand He pried it out, setting it on the small wooden stand beside the bed, and kissed her war for his club to do soht of the week for his business The weekends were usually reserved for faatory dates ives, whereas Thursday night hen theoff the security guard when he jumped to attention, and strolled toward his office in the back His footsteps faltered about halfway there when the Boss’s high-pitched voice called his naestured for him to join them at the booth "Come, have a drink Celebrate with us!"

"What are we celebrating?" Corrado asked, pulling a chair up as hethe casino deal," Sal said "It’s finally gone through"

Corrado raised his eyebrows "Really?"

The waitress walked over, holding out a so, sir Top shelf Chilled, just as you like it"

"Thank you, sweetheart" Corrado reached into his pocket and pulled out so it out to her as a tip She took it and scalass The cold liquid soothed his throat, going down smooth

FIJI Natural Artesian Water No one ever asked him what he drank They all preferred dark liquor--scotch, brandy, so about as in his glass

"Carlo didn’t even have to do, uhwhatever it is he does" Saloff to the side, his ar blonde woman "Seems they cao and said the deal was on"

"That’s great," Corrado said, taking another drink "It’s good to knoe can count on these days"

12

The black dress shoes, half a size too sle his toes The suit, crisp and brand neas stifling, the er seat of Corrado’s Mercedes

Uncoed at his blue silk tie It suffocated hi more than to loosen his collar and take off the coat, maybe even kick off the damn shoes, but he was pretty sure that would only irritate his uncle

"What’s wrong with you?" Corrado asked as if on cue, cutting his eyes to hi" Carmine shifted in the seat and pushed the s happened Corrado had the like I’ sweat box here"

"Such a ords," Corrado deadpanned "I advise you to keep your day job"

Carmine rolled his eyes Like he had a choice "Do you have the heat on or soed hiue, but he couldn’t They were heading to a party at Sal’s house and Caret out of it, but even the social gatherings were ht," Corrado warned him

Carmine looked at him incredulously Not drink?

"You’ll be in a rooerousthe question in his expression "You’ll want to be coherent"

"Why?" Carht ere all family"

"We are family," Corrado replied "And you sahat I did to my only sister"