Chapter 95
95
After we retreated to the relative safety of the inner depths of the prison, Dario explained what the hell had just happened.
“The three men who attacked us were hired to kill me. But the rest of the fights that broke out? That was just people taking advantage of an opportunity. There are many bitter enemies in San Vittore. Some hated each other before they went to prison, while others came to hate each other after they arrived. Either way, what you just saw was widespread revenge. Either that, or board room decisions being carried out p>
“Board room decisions p>
“Business competitors removing their rivals, probably on orders from the top p>
Huh.
“Who hired those guys to kill you p>
“Most likely the Camorra.” He pronounced it kuh-MOR-uh. “The man who tried to stab me was definitely Camorra. The other two were probably hired soldiers from other factions p>
“…the Camorra p>
“There are many organized crime groups in Italy,” Dario explained. “Some are big; many are small. The Camorra is one of the largest. They control Naples and the surrounding area. Or rather, they used to control Naples. They’ve had some competition in recent years p>
“But why would they come after you p>
Dario hesitated for a split second.
“…I have friends in the most powerful group of all, the Cosa Nostra p>
“The mafia,” I said.
“Yes, and no. ‘Mafia’ is a term for all organized crime in Italy. The Cosa Nostra was originally founded in Sicily, but they’ve slowly expanded their reach over the last 40 years p>
“And you’re… friends with them,” I said carefully, not wanting to alienate the new ally I’d made.
Dario gave me a slight smile. “A business associate p>
I didn’t believe for a second that he was just a ‘business associate.’ Everyone in the yard had been too frightened or too deferential for him to be a bit player.
But if he had reasons to hide his true affiliations, well… I had reasons to not tell him about my past, too.
But I did want to know one thing.
“Why did the Camorra want you dead?” I asked.
“Probably to send a message to my friends in the Cosa Nostra p>
“Why didn’t the guards step in earlier p>
It was bewildering. Guard towers lined the prison walls, and the men inside them had rifles. At any point they could have fired their guns. A single shot probably would have stopped the fighting since people would have been afraid the next bullet would be aimed at them.
Dario smiled grimly. “Because the Camorra paid the guards to stay out of it p>
I stared at him. “Seriously p>
“It’s the only explanation. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed the corruption here in San Vittore p>
I thought of the jail door I’d heard open in the middle of the night… and the dead man I’d seen dragged out the next morning.
“I thought so, but I wasn’t sure p>
“Now you know. When the attempt on my life didn’t go as planned, and the rest of the men realized that the guards were not going to intervene, they took the opportunity to settle some scores. The guards only showed up to prevent it from becoming absolute chaos p>
I shook my head in amazement. “It’s like a fucking sewer full of alligators in here p>
“You’re not wrong. San Vittore is a dangerous place p>
“I’m starting to realize that p>
“You know… I could use a man like you,” Dario said. After a second’s pause he added, “As an ally p>
I tried to be as diplomatic as possible. “I’d like that, but… I don’t want to get involved in a mafia war p>
“I’m sorry to tell you, my friend, but you’re in the thick of it now, whether you like it or not. By intervening in the attempt on my life, you made an enemy of the Camorra p>
“Great,” I muttered.
He smiled in amusement. “How long are you in for p>
“Five years p>
“And you don’t speak Italian p>
“No p>
“How long did you think you would last in here before you stepped on the wrong toes? Not five years, I can assure you of that p>
He had me there.
“Look at this way,” Dario continued. “I have powerful friends on the outside, plus I know all the players in here. I know who’s dangerous, who’s all talk, and who can be trusted. You – well, you’re excellent in a fight. I need someone to watch my back like you did just a few minutes ago – and you could use a guide in here. Like Virgil showing Dante around hell p>
I recognized the reference to Dante – the Italian poet who wrote the Inferno – but I wasn’t sure about Virgil. I didn’t want to look stupid, though, so I didn’t ask.
Instead, I said, “I need to know something, and I’d like a straight answer: if you and I are friends, will I be making things worse for myself p>
Dario looked at me for several seconds before he answered. “I won’t lie to you: you’ll be making new enemies by becoming my ally. But you’ll also be making new and powerful friends. Friends who can keep you safe and help you pass your sentence in far greater comfort.
“Unfortunately, you made some extremely powerful enemies today when you saved my life. There is no going back from that. They will come after you… that I can promise you.
“However, I owe you my life. After what you did for me today, it would be the height of ingratitude for me to insist you do what I want. I promise I will not take it personally if you go your own way. Even if you decide not to align yourself with me, I will do my best to make sure you’re left in peace… but there is only so much I can do. The simple truth is that alone, we are weaker and more susceptible to attack. Together, we are stronger – strong enough to fight back against the Camorra and quite possibly win. But whatever you decide, I will honor your decision p>
It wasn’t much of a choice.
The die had already been cast when I stopped the Camorra from killing him.
I hadn’t known it when it happened – but even if I could have gone back in time, I wouldn’t have changed what I’d done.
If I refused his offer, I could go it alone and probably die…
Or I could have an ally – and a powerful one at that.
I made my decision.
“I could definitely use a friend in here,” I said.
Dario broke into a huge smile. “You have one – for life p>
And he reached out and hugged me like a brother.