Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
“We should leave,” Amo said, motioning at his watch. He was right.
“Valerio!”
Gianna rolled her eyes. “That boy will be late even for his own death.”
Valerio jogged down the stairs in that moment. “I have a huge party planned for my eighteenth in January. I definitely won’t die any time soon.”
I realized this moment marked the end of an era. Even our youngest was no longer a child. He had been inducted for a while, but his attitude had always made me see him as a boy. In more than one way he reminded me of Matteo. Now he’d fight by my side. He gave me a wink and tight smile, tightening his gun belt around his chest.
“Let’s go,” I ordered.
Aria’s parting gaze tore at my chest. I would bring all of our children back to her. I’d give my last drop of blood to protect them. Today our family would stand together.
Before the official meeting, we met with the people Dad and I trusted the most in a small hall adjacent to the main hall of the Yonkers power plant: soldiers, Captains and Underbosses that were loyal to the core.
As I scanned the men before me, I was surprised by the number of them. Dad smiled grimly at me.
“That’s what I’m aiming for. One day I want to have this kind of loyalty from my men.”
“These men are loyal to you too. That’s why they’re here.”
I nodded at Growl and his sons, Romero and Flavio, Matteo, Maddox, Cassio and his sons, Orazio and his son, Demetrio and his son. Dad had given his trust to many of these men in advance and they’d repaid him, and found a home in the Famiglia. They now repaid him with loyalty daily. But what we’d ask of them today was more than ever.
“Welcome, my friends, and thank you for coming here so quickly,” Dad said. He rarely uttered the words thank you, but tonight’s activities required it.
Nevio and Remo were still hidden.
Their immediate presence would have caused too much confusion and bad blood.
Dad gave me a nod and I stepped forward. We’d decided I would explain the situation to our men. Soon whispers arose among them as I told them why we were here tonight. It was strange to reveal so much about something this private, something that many still regarded as a weakness: feelings for a woman. But the men here had all lost their hearts to a woman so I knew they’d understand.
“Let me get this straight,” Cassio said in his usual controlled voice. “We’re going to have peace with the Camorra again and allow them to kill a few of our men tonight.”
“It’s their revenge to dish out,” I said. Dad nodded. Not a hint of doubt reflected on his face though I knew he still harbored some.
Cassio blew out a long breath and exchanged a look with a few others. “I have to admit, I think peace is necessary, but this is a peculiar way to go about it.”
“The circumstances require it,” I said.
After a few more discussions, the consensus was that the present men were willing to follow our judgment. It was the first step in the right direction. One step of many.
“I’ll ask Remo and Nevio to join us now,” I said. I could tell that the men were still a bit confused because I was leading the meeting but Dad had decided we needed to split power between us more. I was eager to take over more responsibilities but knew tonight was a difficult time to start. Not everyone would be happy about.
I went to another smaller room where Remo and Nevio had been waiting. The moment they joined us, the tension in the room skyrocketed. It certainly didn’t help that Matteo gave Nevio a look that suggested he was on the verge of slicing him open. To my surprise Nevio ignored it completely. Only his eyes revealed his willingness to kill us all.
Remo even managed to keep a civil face despite Growl’s presence. Maybe tonight would go more smoothly than expected.
Dad, Valerio and I stepped on the platform. The hall was filled to the maximum with Made Men. The air was ripe with nervous energy. Matteo, Maximus and Romero dragged the seven men who were involved in the attack on Greta onto the stage, and for a moment my own need for bloodshed was so strong, I had to look away from Antonaci or risk losing control. If I fucked up our plan, I’d kick myself. Dad was risking so much with this, I had to stay in control.
Dad must have sensed my conflict because he took the lead again and faced our soldiers. He explained the situation to them and soon the noise level grew to unpleasant heights.
“Silence!” I roared, losing my patience.
The last few whispers died when I stepped to the very edge of the platform. “As my father has said. We have negotiated a new peace with the Camorra for all of your safety and prosperity. Many of you have been longing for peace. But it comes with a price.”