Free The Dame Did It by Joel Jenkins Page B

“’Cause
you called this meeting without inviting or informing me about it.
Which was a dirty thing, considering I’m Papa Gino’s next of kin.
And his natural successor to the top spot of the family
business.”
    Al’s countenance now took on a dumbfounded
look combined with a flash of anger. “Listen, Gia, I didn’t mean to
leave you out, I just didn’t think you would have any interest in a
business meeting like this. I was going to invite you to the family
dinner party scheduled for—”
    “How could I not be interested in how the
business will be run from now on?” Gia replied curtly. “It’s a
business my papa shed blood to build into what it is, and he
sacrificed his life protecting it. Let’s call it things like they
are, Cousin. You didn’t want me involved, ’cause you want to take
over the top spot following the retribution on the Gambinos. And
you don’t think a dame can hold that spot. Well, guess what, big
guy?”
    The tension in the room was now palpable,
with all the men in attendance paying rapt attention to what was
transpiring before them. Of them all, only Fido seemed to have a
look remotely resembling one of satisfaction.
    “Gia, I was just keeping with tradition
here,” Al said. “This has never been women’s work, and I think I
would be Uncle Gino’s natural choice to take over the
business—”
    “You can shove this ‘tradition’ up your back
exit!” the plucky women exclaimed, startling Al with her level of
sass. “I’m Papa’s only child, you weren’t close enough to him to be
considered like a son, and it wouldn’t matter if you were. I owe a
lot to my Papa, including payback on the Buffalo Gambino Family.
And I’m gonna make sure his business is done right !”
    “Gia, Gia,” Al said, visibly beginning to
lose his patience as he started inching closer to her. “Let’s be
reasonable here! The work I did in New York over the years more
than justifies—”
    Ira suddenly interjected as he pulled his
Colt on Al with his good hand, halting the young gangster in his
tracks. “Do not take another step, Al. I was present at the meeting
where Uncle Gino was killed, and Gia did a mighty impressive job of
taking down not only the girl who stabbed him, but also two of the
three armed body guards who were there. She also got a little piece
of Vito, even though he did get away. On top of all that, she not
only saved my life, but she saved Fido’s life too. Isn’t that
right, Fido?”
    Fido at first looked distressed at being put
on the spot. But he knew what he owed to both Gia, for saving his
life, and to the legacy of Papa Gino, for taking him off the
streets and making him what he was now.
    “Y-yeah, true,” Fido said in a low tone.
    “Can you speak up a bit please, Fido?” Gia
asked. “Some of the gentlemen here may not have heard you.”
    Fido cleared his throat. “Yes, it all went
down just like Ira said it did. And yes, Gia did save my life, and
Papa Gino was everything to me, so… they got my support, for
whatever that’s worth.”
    Just then, an enforcer named Jack Morristi
made a point to express his opinion in audible fashion. “Heh! Of
course that bug is gonna support the dame taking over a man’s job.
He’s got lots to gain considerin’ how he would be boffing the new
boss.”
    Overhearing the remark, Ira became incensed
and pointed his Colt in Jack’s direction. “What the hell did you
just say, Morristi? Say that again, why don’t you!”
    “C’mon, we all know how sweet on this girl
you are, Ira,” Jack stood up and said. “And I’m not sure how much
respect any of the boys should have for a guard who needs a skirt
to save him.”
    Ira’s grip on the trigger tightened. “You
son of a—”
    Gia stepped in and motioned for her lover
and bodyguard to stand down. “Now, now, Ira, no need for you do
anything like that.”
    “But—”
    She then grabbed the Colt out of Ira’s hand,
and in a blur of motion shot Jack directly in the