Harmony (32 page)

“
Good, I don’t plan to let you.”

***

“
Any news?”

“
None of it good,” Ignacio said.

Two men sat across from his desk stiff and unrepentant. The only light in his office came from the lamp on his desk. The darkly paneled walls, mahogany furnishings, and closed drapes cast the entire room in bleak shadows. It served well for the mood he’d found himself in. And now he had the best men in his crew acting against his wishes and returning to deliver more news of their failures. Romano couldn’t blame them for trying to strike back against Collins. The casualties of this war between Collins and his men had bled the soul of his operation dry. Antonio hadn’t only robbed him of their brotherhood; he’d given his enemies an unfair advantage by allowing them to steal from him, but his reckless actions had cost him the respect of the men that had sworn allegiance.

“
How many?” Romano asked.

“
Twenty, maybe thirty of the men are loyal. Lucky Luciano has stepped in. He’s calling a meeting. We hear Sottocapo, Costello, Genovese are said to be furious as well and siding with Collins. You aren’t invited to the table.” Ignacio slipped Gio a sly glance. “We sent your message to Marrazano. You know he doesn’t approve of Luciano, and his dealings with Collins or Costello.”

“
Marrazano will not work with anyone who is not full blood Sicilian. Yes I know. He’s old school Mafioso, believes in honor and respect, which none of those fuckers do.” Romano seethed.

“
Times are changing,” Gio finally spoke up. “The old ways are no longer working. This isn’t Sicily. Look at what’s happening. Luciano is gaining power and friends by aligning with non-Sicilians. If you were to go to him and tell your story, then maybe a deal can be made.”

Romano slammed his fist down hard on the wood surface of the desk. Gio silenced. There would be no way in hell he’d go on his knees to Luciano. He ran the slums on the lower east side with him when they were fifteen. They were from the same village. He owed him shit, and wouldn’t grovel now.

“
I meant no disrespect, boss,” Gio said.

The apology sounded as hollow as the excuses he’d received over their inability to neutralize Mickey Collins. With Luciano and his alliances now in the mix, the situation had become even graver. Romano watched them both silently. The side of his face rested between his thumb and his trigger finger. Ignacio swallowed and continued with the message. “Marrazano follows the old ways and… well…”

“
Say it!” Romano seethed.

“
He’s heard about the colored jazz singer you have with you. He doesn’t approve of your lifestyle. He’s not willing to step in.”

“
I see.” Romano said. He figured it was a long shot. The rumors were flying with Antonio’s death and the cops circling. He even had a detective stop by to ask a few questions regarding his brother’s whereabouts. His moving Harmony in with him cost him the respect of some of his men. No one called Antonio queer to his face, but if somehow it was indeed known and shared with Don Salvatore Marrazano, the old man would certainly cast him out of his favor.

“
Then it’s done.”

The men exchanged surprised looks.

“
Don’t worry boys. I expected as much. We all make our beds, I’ve made mine.”

“
We think you should move back to Woodbury,” Gio said. “We can’t keep this place safe much longer. It’s the best option.”

He wiped his hand down his face and released a long heavy sigh. He knew the score the night it all went to hell. Mickey Collins wanted him dead, and with Luciano backing him they’d move on him soon. He’d lost over a hundred men to the turf war. Sixty of them had abandoned him. The boys who remained were jumpy and on edge, questioning his authority and defying his orders. Instead of ruling them with an iron fist he’d spent three days held up in his brownstone with his lady in his arms avoiding it all. The truth of the matter was simple. He was tired of the war, the battles, and ready for the end his father always predicted for him.

“
We’ll leave today while it’s daylight.” He opened his drawer, and removed two envelopes. Both were tossed on the top of the desk. Ignacio and Gio lowered their eyes to the money and neither man could speak. Many thought him penniless. Rumors had it that Antonio had cleaned him out. Much of it was true. But growing up hard on the streets, hungry and lost he learned to save. For every dollar earned in his hustle he saved three. That was no one’s fucking business. “Pay the men, find out who wants to come with me and who wants to stand. Either way it’s time.”

“
What are you doing?” Mabel’s sharp voice cracked like an overseers whip behind her. Harmony whirled to find the maid glaring, her face pinched in a deep scowl. To add to her shame she’d been caught with her ear pressed to the door. A clumsy stammer of excuses tumbled from her mouth.

“
If he catches you spying he’ll be furious.”

“
I know. Don’t tell him. I don’t want to upset him.”

“
Hmpf!”

“
Can I talk to you? Please,” she lowered her voice. She hurried away from the door before Vinnie appeared hoping Mabel would follow. Reluctantly she did. Harmony had been desperate to find out what had him so silent and despondent before and after he met with his men. Every time she tried to broach the subject he changed it. Mabel could be her only hope to understand what she heard through the door.

Willie opened his eyes. He first thought the visitor to be Harmony. She checked in on him at least once an hour. He faked sleep several times just to avoid her hovering. He loved her, but he needed time. So much guilt and conflict churned within him, he wasn’t sure of what life would throw him next.

Clarity of mind returned and he focused. Mr. Romano walked inside and the door fell shut behind him. He looked tough, dangerous and unforgiving. Why did Harmony float around this place and blush every time he asked about her relationship with the man? His sister was a smart woman, and not prone to taking up with a white man on a whim. It didn’t add up.

He’d only had one meeting with Romano. The night they brought him in, he woke hours later to a very uncomfortable conversation where he had no choice but to confess the dirty truth of Antonio’s plan. He shared everything, including the lies Antonio whispered in his ear regarding his fake feelings for him. Romano asked two questions. None were about Mickey Collins’s operation. No. Romano wanted to know about Teek’s death and his brother’s grief. Willie shared the history he knew and tried to spare him some of the things he had heard about them.

After the inquisition ended, Mr. Romano spoke in a direct unyielding manner. “Harmony tells me you’re feeling better?”

“
Yessir.” Wilie nodded.

Romano leveled his gaze and Willie held his breath for what was to come next. “I’m glad to hear it. In a week I need you on your feet.”

“
Sir?”

“
Harmony’s leaving, heading to New Mexico. You will need to be strong enough to make the journey with her. A week is all you’ll have.”

“
I can do it.”

“
Good. I expect you to be sure she arrives in New Mexico and never returns to Harlem or New York. Do you understand?”

“
No? I can’t say that I do. Harmony has different plans.”

“
Is that so?” Romano left brow arched.

“
Yessir, she told me she wouldn’t be leaving for a month or so. She said that you would be joining her right after?”

The mob boss stepped closer to the bed. He eased his hands in his pockets and a small smile flashed over his face before it faded. “She’s a special dame. Always has been. But she’s wrong. If I can join her I will. There’s a strong probability that I won’t be able to. If it comes to that she’ll want to return here, look for me. You’ll make sure she doesn’t do that.”

Willie nodded.

“
I expect your word on this. I’m going to ignore the debt you owe. The fact you drew a gun on me should have you pushing up daisies. I’ll let that go too. Not because I’m soft on you Willie, but because I am on her. That’s my final gift to her, your life.
Capice
?”

“
Yes.”

“
Then repay the debt to your sister. You owe her your life. Protect her with yours.”

He swallowed and nodded. Romano’s gaze swept the room then returned to him. His squared jaw tensed visibly. “We’ll be traveling out to my cabins. I plan to teach her how to fire a weapon and a few other things to protect herself. You up for a quick trip?”

“
I can manage,” Willie blurted.

Romano nodded then turned and left. As soon as the door closed Willie let go a deep breath. Finally he understood his purpose. He will protect Harmony from men like Romano, Lewis, from all of them. He owed her that and more. It would be his sacrifice.

“
Sit down child, your pacing is giving me a headache.”

“
Can’t. Something’s wrong,” Harmony said. After a few minutes she gave up and pulled out the chair to the kitchen table. She sat across from Mabel. “Vinnie’s different. He hasn’t left the house since we got here. I don’t see anybody but Gio and Ignacio visiting him regularly. And not as many men patrolling either. And he has trouble sleeping Mabel. In the middle of the night he leaves our bed to go down to his office and drink, and pace, I know something’s wrong. What is it?”

“
You the one listening to the door, you tell me.” Mabel huffed.

“
I ain’t heard nothing that makes any sense to me. Would you stop fighting me on this? We both care for him. Don’t we? I’m scared for him. It’s bad what Antonio done, isn’t it?”

“
Antonio dead. What can a dead man do from his grave? Don’t go talkin’ about what you don’t know. Antonio was a good boy. Vinnie has it under control. Men respect him, fear him. He can handle whatever it is.”

There would be no getting through to Mabel. Her loyalty to Vinnie blinded her to his weaknesses and faults. It was clear to Harmony why Annie ran away from her mother. If she had this attitude even after the death of her son, it would break any daughter’s heart. Yesterday, Harmony heard two men talking of the war brewing in the streets while outside cleaning her brother’s linen on the washboard. Vinnie didn’t seem like the kind of man who would hide or cower from a battle. And now he kept talking about her leaving. She felt it in her gut. He was in trouble. She stood, and pushed the chair back to the table. Mabel would be of no help. She needed to confront him and get the whole story.

“
There you are.” Vinnie entered from behind her and she went still. Her eyes stretched to warn Mabel not to reveal what they discussed. Mabel rolled her eyes and pursed her lips with stubbornness. “Miss my girl.” Vinnie said kissing the back of her head.

She turned and smiled brightly. He glanced between her and Mabel, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “Something up ladies?”

“
Nope.” Mabel rose. “Only thing up is the linen. Done finished hanging your clothes out on the line and got ironing to do, gonna start dinner in an hour. What you want tonight, Mr. Romano?”

“
Delay it.” Vinnie said. “I want to talk to the both of you.” He wrapped his strong arms around Harmony’s waist and pulled her tight up against his chest. “We’re leaving in an hour. Pack what you can and leave everything else. I’ll send one of the men to pick it up.”

“
Where we going?” Harmony asked. He kept his hold firm on her so she had to lean her head back and to the left to look at him. Still she couldn’t see beyond his profile.

“
To the cabins. We need some fresh air. Nothing to worry about.”

She released a breath.

“
Mabel. In two days you will be going to Chicago. Annie is going to meet you there.”

“
What?” Mabel gasped.

“
I spoke to her.”

“
You did?” Harmony asked, and felt her heart sink in her chest. She held her breath and tried to wait out his news without interjecting again. But she wanted to turn on him and demand to know why he would call his ex-girlfriend, even if the reason was plain. He must have sensed or felt her tension. He kissed her cheek before he addressed Mabel. “Annie misses you. She wants you to know your grandchild. It’s time.”

“
I’m not leaving. You need someone to take care of you.” She shot Harmony a withering look of contempt. “You’ve been through too much.”