Accardi by allison franklin novel

You Were My Favorite Hurt, And My Hardest Goodbye by Ava Knight 139 Summary Jada, Gen, Louis, and Leo approach a rundown laundromat in a sketchy part of town for a tense meeting with the Russo family. Despite Jada's skepticism about the location, Gen insists it's a strategic choice to prove her honesty, as she's known for having no poker face. Inside, they navigate to a private room guarded by Don, signaling this is more than just a laundromat. The atmosphere is charged as they prepare to confront the Russos, with Jada visibly nervous and trembling despite Louis's comforting presence.

The Russo family members arrive and are seated at a private table. Gen introduces herself and her guard Leo, while Dina Russo, the matriarch, immediately sets a hostile tone. Dina accuses Jada of destroying her family by taking her son Dane away and blames Louis for his death. She dismisses Jada's claims of change and loyalty, emphasizing the harsh realities of mafia life where power belongs to women, but Dane was different-ambitious and selfish. The confrontation is heated as Dina demands answers about lost territory, power, and the consequences of Dane's death.

Gen and Leo take responsibility for the deaths of Dina's sons and express a desire to negotiate peace and make amends. Dina remains scornful and skeptical, highlighting the financial and strategic losses the Russos have suffered. The tension escalates when the dealer, Thomas, arrives to start a game of Seven Card Stud, a symbolic gesture underscoring the stakes of their negotiation. Gen tries to bridge the gap by acknowledging the pain both families have endured and subtly mocks Dina's control over an undercover FBI contact, revealing layers of betrayal and alliance.

The chapter ends with Gen holding a promising hand in the card game, symbolizing her readiness to negotiate and turn the tide in this dangerous power struggle. Despite the animosity, she offers to help the Russos, signaling a potential shift toward reconciliation or at least a strategic truce between the two feuding families. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Nine "Who on earth thought this rundown laundromat was a good spot for a meeting?" Jada muttered under her breath as they approached the worn-down building nestled in a sketchy part of town.

"I did," Gen said, her tone brightening slightly. Jada's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "You actually picked an underground casino hall for a meeting with the Russos?" "Yep," Gen replied confidently. "I told her not to do it," Leo said from behind them, his voice low but firm. "But she had a point." "And what point is that?" Jada asked, raising an eyebrow. Gen shrugged casually. "Matteo says I don't have much of a poker face." Louis chimed in with a smirk, "Actually, everyone says that about you." Gen rolled her eyes. "Exactly.

So, what better way to prove to a family that my word is my bond than by showing I can't even keep a straight face over something as trivial as a deck of cards?" They stepped inside the laundromat. The hum of dryers spun on the far wall, while a handful of people sat on benches, their eyes glued to their phones as they waited for their laundry cycles to finish. Leo led the way, moving ahead to guide them through the rows of washing machines toward a door marked 'private.' He held the door open and nodded for Gen to enter first. "Where's Conor?" Gen whispered to Leo as she passed by.

"He's on his way," Leo replied quietly. "Prison took longer than he expected." "Everything alright?" Gen asked. "As far as I know," Leo answered. The hallway beyond was plain and unremarkable. Anyone passing through might assume the doors led to bathrooms, offices, or storage closets. But the last door had a guard stationed behind it, signaling this was no ordinary place for cleaning clothes. Gen knocked and waited. A small slat slid open at eye level, revealing a pair of dark, scrutinizing eyes. "Don, good to see you again," Gen said with a slight wave.

Don's eyes widened before he slammed the slat shut. Moments later, the heavy steel door creaked open. "Donna, good to see you too. Heard you might be dropping by," Don said. "I hope no one else overheard that," Leo said sharply. Don rolled his eyes. "Only those who needed to." "Good," Leo said, pushing past Gen and walking ahead. "Are they here?" Gen asked. "Arrived five minutes ago. Got them set up at a private table in the back," Don replied. "Thanks, Don," Gen said, scanning the room for the infamous family.

"There," Jada whispered, pointing toward the back corner where a waitress was busy serving drinks. Louis's hands moved reassuringly up and down Jada's arms. Gen had never seen her sister so nervous. Even after Dane had left her battered and hospitalized, Jada had cracked jokes and mocked the rude nurses. At her own wedding, she'd been more concerned about Gen's love life than the fear of committing forever. But now, with her husband standing protectively behind her, Jada trembled with fear. "You don't have to do this, Jada," Gen said softly.

Jada glanced up at Louis, seeking comfort or perhaps agreement-it was hard to tell. The two exchanged a silent understanding. Then Jada shook her head and looked back at Gen. "We're ready. It's time to bury the hatchet. Time to stop running and looking over our shoulders." Gen nodded. "Alright. I'll go in first. You stay back for a moment. Leo?" "Ready," her guard replied. Gen took the lead, moving forward with the grace expected of a Donna. She made sure to sway her hips deliberately, meeting the eyes of every curious gambler, nodding to each of her guards stationed around the room.

The center of the room was filled with rows of round tables, while private booths lined the back. To her left, a few slot machines blinked and chimed, and to her right, roulette tables spun with steady rhythm. The air was thick with the scent of money and power. This was one of the few Accardi operations that hadn't been raided, and as a result, membership applications were booming and profits soaring. As they neared the table, the Russo family members noticed her approach. There were four of them.

By their resemblance to the man who had accompanied Bennett to the Royale, Gen recognized that one or two must be Dane's siblings. A third man appeared to be an attorney or bookkeeper. But Gen's eyes immediately locked on the woman seated at the center, whose expression was stern and unmistakably furious. Her hair was tightly pulled back, makeup minimal, collar high-this woman was not here to play games. Gen stopped in front of the table, placing her hands firmly on the back of the chair she intended to occupy. "Good afternoon. I'm Genevieve Accardi.

Thank you for meeting with me," Gen said, nodding respectfully to each of the four Russos. "Are you going to invite the scum over or not?" the woman demanded, nodding toward Louis and Jada. Gen forced a tight smile. "Once we get introductions out of the way. I've already given you mine." The woman's eyes narrowed further, lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm Dina Russo. These are my two sons, Dominic and Daniello. The man at the end is our family attorney, Jeff. He's here to listen." "Nice to meet you all. This is my guard, Leo." Gen gestured toward Leo.

"Leo, have a seat." Leo lowered himself into the chair next to her as she motioned for Jada and Louis to join them. As they moved closer, Jada's head dropped sharply toward the floor. One of the Russo sons reached for his gun, but Dina's hand shot out, resting on his forearm to hold him back-at least for now. "Mrs. Russo, I..." Jada began, her voice thick with emotion. "Save it," Dina snapped, rising to her full height. Gen realized just how short Dina was-barely reaching Gen's chest. "I was weeks from retiring, you worthless whore.

You took my son, the man who was supposed to replace me, and left me with these idiots," she spat, gesturing to her two sons. Her eyes then locked on Louis. "You were the one who took his life, weren't you?" Louis nodded silently. Dina spat in his direction before turning back to Jada. "He beat you? Threw you around? Yelled at you? Welcome to mafia life, honey. All men are like that. You don't thrive in this world-you endure it." "I thought so too," Jada countered, squeezing Louis's hand. "Until I learned differently." Dina's nose wrinkled at the sight of Jada's public show of affection.

"I thought you were special. I gave Dane my blessing. You made a fool of me. Did you kill Dario too?" "No, that was me," Leo interrupted, raising a finger. Dina's dark eyes snapped to him. "He meant to hurt my Donna. I had no choice." Gen gave Leo's hand a reassuring squeeze. "My husband and I take responsibility for the deaths of both your sons. He sent me here to negotiate a deal-to move forward, to make amends," she explained as she lowered herself into the chair, motioning for Jada and Louis to sit as well. "Amends?" Dina scoffed.

"The Accardis are wealthy, but they don't hold a candle to the fortune you stripped from us-an entire future. These two," she gestured to her sons again, "know nothing about running an empire. Dane was my star." She glared at Jada. "He would have had this whole city under his thumb by now if it weren't for you." Jada let out a strange sound, somewhere between a laugh and a scoff. "Sorry, Dina, but we both know Dane was more muscle than mind. All his strategic moves came from what I told him." "Look at me," Dina hissed. "Do you see my boys speaking? No.

Because in our family, power belongs to the woman, you fucking twat. I thought I made that clear." "We both know Dane would never have handed over power to me, no matter the tradition. He wanted it all for himself. Your husband and the men before him might have accepted women secretly claiming the throne, but Dane? He wanted it all. I would have been nothing but a scuff mark on his boot." "I suppose we've lost the chance to find out, haven't we?" Dina asked, her gaze returning to Gen. "That's the problem, Mrs. Accardi. We have no idea how much wealth my Dane could have brought to this family.

It could have been billions. Forget money-how do you plan to make up for lost territory? The men who defected? The deals that fell apart after his death? Hm?" At that moment, a dealer appeared and took a seat, his bright smile sharply contrasting the tense atmosphere. He gave Gen a glance she tried to ignore. This was no ordinary dealer-he was the man Matteo had been tailing for weeks, watching Paul and Bennett closely. "Good afternoon, folks. The game is Seven Card Stud. My name's Thomas, and I'll be dealing for you." Everyone around the table ignored Thomas as he dealt the cards.

The rules were simple in any Accardi casino: the dealer kept their cards and their mouth shut. Gen knew she'd have to be the one to prove that to the Russos. "We understand the history between our families feels insurmountable," Gen began, resting a hand on her stomach and drawing Dina's eyes downward. "I don't know what I'd do if my own child were hurt." Dina leaned forward. "You'd find your revenge by any means necessary." "By calling your contact in the FBI?" Gen asked. Dina smirked as if she held all the cards.

"He wasn't FBI until I got my hands on him." "I'm surprised you didn't give him a more Italian undercover name-David or Donatello," Gen teased. Dina looked up from her cards, shooting Gen a deadly glare. "You mock me now, while your husband's in prison." Gen shrugged, lifting her four face-down cards just enough so only she could see them. The corner of her mouth tilted up in a faint smile-she was holding the beginnings of a Royal Flush. "He needed someone on the inside. You did us a favor, to be honest." "Happy to help," Dina spat through clenched teeth. Gen's eyes flicked back up.

"Now it's our turn to help you." Conclusion The chapter closes on a tense but pivotal moment, where the weight of past betrayals and losses hangs heavily in the air. Gen's poised determination and willingness to face the Russo family head-on reflect her commitment to healing fractured alliances, even when the wounds run deep and the stakes are perilously high. The raw emotions between the women-Jada's quiet strength, Dina's fierce bitterness, and Gen's calculated calm-underscore the complex web of pain, power, and the desperate hope for resolution that defines their shared history.