Speak Easy (Speak Easy 1)

“I want to talk to you.”

He cocked his head. “About what?”

“About what you were saying…you know, making your own deals. Getting your own rackets and proving to your pop you can be an asset to him.”

“Yeah?”

“Well, we have an idea.”

He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture I’

d seen Enzo make before, and crossed his arms. “I’m listening.”

With a silent apology to Joey, I said, “I know who hijacked your shipment. I think you could get it back.”

“How?”

“Well, my friend Joe is working for Scarfone now. He was bragging to me just today that he’s guarding those loaded hearses in a warehouse until Sunday, and then they’re going to take them to Chicago. But I know where the warehouse is. We could steal back those hearses with the rum still in them. Imagine showing up at the club with all that booze. You’d be a hero.”

“Yeah, I would.” He dropped his arms and stood straighter. “So where’s the warehouse?”

“It’s near Eastern Market. But Joe’s not going to talk to you—you’d be shot if you even got close. However, he would talk to my father. You let him go, and he’ll approach Joe and convince him to steal it back for you.”

“Why would your friend do that?” Raymond asked. “Scarfone will kill him.”

“Because,” said Daddy. “He’s not going to have a choice. I know a lot of cops, and I’ll show up there with a few of them. They’ll do me the favor of cuffing him in exchange for a few cases of rum. Then me and a few guys drive the hearses to the club for you.”

“Your pop will give you your own rackets for sure,” I said quickly, my voice oozing admiration, “maybe even the whole club.” I stood and sidled closer to him. “I heard he was going to give it to Enzo, but now that you’re the big time bootlegger, I bet he gives it to you. Then we’ll have that drink you promised me.”

Raymond considered this. “I want more out of it.”

I panicked, but Daddy spoke up. “How about a share in my bootleg business and the garage? I’ll give you the percentage your pop wanted—I’ll even raise it. He’ll be impressed you managed to get more out of me than he could.”

“Yeah, he will.” Raymond was coming around, I could sense it. My skin tingled with the possibility of victory. “What percentage?” he asked.

“Fifty,” I said. “You can have half.”

“That’s good.” He nodded. “But I still want more.”

“What else is there?” I fidgeted, trying to keep from screaming at him.

His eyes raked over me. “You.”

“She’s not part of the offer,” Daddy said firmly. I was so repulsed I couldn’t find a voice.

“Then no deal.” Raymond crossed his arms again. “I get her, or you get to spend your remaining days out in the woods with Harry and I’ll take your business anyway.”

I heard the ching of the cuffs on the bed as Daddy struggled with his temper and knew I’d better speak up. Swallowing my fear, I said, “OK, Raymond. You can have me too. Whatever you want. Do we have a deal?”

“Tiny, no!” Daddy yelled.

“Deal.” Raymond grabbed my arm and dragged me from the bedroom.

“Wait! Where are you taking me?” I demanded. “What about letting my father go?”

“He’s staying here for now.”

My blood froze. What had I done? “Daddy!”