Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 73655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
"The reading of the last will and testament is coming up," I tell Mario. "I delayed it because I didn't want to know what he thought of me."
"You can't delay it forever," he says. "At some time, you have to come to terms with your position within the clan. You also have to admit that you are now our Boss." He's right, I have to. I wish my mind would play along. "If you show doubt to anyone else, they could use it against you."
Nodding, I turn away again as we pull up to the office block where De Rossi Incorporated is housed. The company my father started. When I learned about the contract, about Luna Cavallone, I bought every theater in the city, in the country, and smiled because I knew I could see her anytime I wanted. Watching her from the shadows became my pastime, and I reveled in it. I exit the vehicle as the rest of the men pull up and flank me.
Silently, we move into the building, taking the elevator to the top floor. When I walk into the boardroom, I find my Capos, all five of them, along with Valentino, my father's Consigliere, who I no longer need. The problem is, I think he knows it.
Mario will step in as my advisor and Valentino will be retired. He will be able to step away from the day to day running of the clan, but I don't think he will go without a fight.
"Gentlemen," I greet while unbuttoning my jacket, the bloodstains visible on my crisp white shirt. Thankfully, my undershirt is still clean. The maid will get the stains out, but not without some work. "Thank you for making the time for this meeting."
Valentino pipes up quickly, "I think we need to vote who will step up into the leader role next," he says, his eyes flicking to me, then to the rest of the men.
There's a murmur around the room as I settle in my father's chair. "I think that is a moot point, Valentino." Mario slips into the seat at my right hand, and I notice the flinch of the older man when I lean back in the chair. "My father's will is still something we need to sort out. The reading will take place in a couple of days, and then we'll know what major changes will take place, however, I am the logical successor to my father's seat."
"I agree," Carlo, one of the Capos says with a confident nod.
"Same here," this comes from Vito, who has been with the family for almost forty years. He's the eldest and is still going strong even at his age. "We have to go by the rule of the clan. We can't be changing things up now." As the oldest, he's also the one who knows the rules of being in this life better than any one of us.
"I just think that we should be progressive in our future," Valentino murmurs, but I can read his frustration at the men who support me. The other three are silent, but they nod when I glance at them.
"What about you?" I ask, taking in each one as they sit around the table.
"I agree with Carlo," Bennie says, who's the second eldest member. He became a Made Man when he was only seventeen. He took the oath of Omertà when he was still a teenager. "We don't change rules when it suits us."
The rest of the men don't respond. So, it is two who stand with Valentino, and the three with me. Which means, even if we took a vote, we'd be tied. Three for three. Mario cannot vote, because he'll side with me, and I doubt my father's advisor is going to allow it anyway.
"We will wait on the reading of will," I say finally. "In the meantime, I want us to watch our backs. The Cavallone haven't given up, and they won't until they're all dead."
"What about the shipment coming in on Saturday?" Carlo questions. It's the main reason I called this meeting.
"I spoke with Franco Moretti. He's given us an in to join them to intercept." I glance around the room before continuing. "They'll work with us on this, and I think it's best we have the numbers, because I have a bad feeling."
"So, we're doing something because you have a bad feeling?" Valentino's voice cuts through the discussion, and it grates on my nerves. I flick a glare at him, arching a brow waiting for him to continue. "I just think that if you had the experience, we'd be going in guns blazing to ensure these bastards don't try this again."
"If there is one thing I've learned from my father," I bite, causing him to flinch. "It's that revenge is taken slowly. We have numbers, we have men who can fight, so I don't know why you're so concerned. I will not lose any more men from our family because of bullshit going down. We do this as I say, or you can stay at home."