Through Baldo Amato. It had nothing to do with the Bronx faction, and it certainly had nothing to do with Cicale (although Vinny did like the Aiello kid).

Ace's father came up with Baldo, and Baldo looked out for Ace after his father went up. He ended up cutting his teeth with the Giannini crew out in Ridgewood. Dom Cicale would have wet his bloomers if he had to sit in that cafe for ten minutes.