Mob Blog: Miami Beach Mobsters, December 11, 2013

 In Louie Morelli's words ...  

Did I say the Russian’s make me nervous? They’re unpredictable, these new Miami Beach mobsters, with their expensive Cristal and low priced prostitutes. Unfortunately, the way business is today, I’m obliged to meet with them every now and then.

  My venue of choice is my own nightclub, Franco’s, which is a Miami Beach favorite, even for Miami’s new Russian mobsters. I meet a couple of them up in the VIP lounge, where Franco pours the Cristal and Victor offers Montecristo’s.

  It’s a civilized meet, and I’m not expecting trouble, but the Russian’s like to show their muscle. I think they’re amused that I’m so low key, but then, they’re in a much more dangerous line of work than I am, dealing with Middle Eastern fanatics and South American sociopaths. Being a patriot, I object to some of their practices, but then, what they do is their business. As long as it doesn’t encroach on mine. But, occasionally, these foreign-born Miami Beach mobsters come to me for a deal or a favor. And sometimes, like today, it’s me who is looking for information.

  Fortunately, the information is provided without a price, as a gesture of goodwill. I graciously accept. After all, it wouldn’t do to offend my unsavory friends. So I let Franco pour the Cristal, and then he brings in the working girls, and the Russians are happy.

  Patricia Bellomo is the author of the crime and mob thriller books, Louie Morelli’s Mistress, Stella di Mare, and Louie Morelli’s Daughter. Miami Beach Mobsters was written in the voice of Bellomo's main character, Louie Morelli.