Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“What happened to him?”
“This thing made widows of my brother’s wives. I decided to leave their sons alone. I took care of him, gave him some land and money.
“He was a smart boy and ambitious, his wife’s family came from money, he didn’t need this life. They had a son. Unfortunately, complications from the old wound claimed his life a few years later.
“His father didn’t want any part of this life for him, but Gianni has been watching and asking questions. Gianni will make himself known to you when he’s ready. This thing is in his blood, I don’t believe he will stay away for long.”
“Is that going to be a problem?”
“No, he is a friend. He admires you from a distance. He will only be of help. The Beneventi name will be of use to you.”
I think through all this new information. This is what Kington did for my mother. He helped her get her cousin back home and Pat saw to his medical needs. Now I have answers and apparently a friend in the shadows.
Nonno continues, but something about his voice changes, pulling my attention. He’s no longer speaking English. “It was after all this I decided Ava was ready and the best one for the job.
“It was also then I started to question Riccardo more. He wasn’t here in the country so I could never prove it, but Don Ferrari and I have always believed Riccardo somehow had something to do with your nonna’s death.”
“You’re right. I already know this to be true,” I seethe.
He begins a string of curses, sounding as if he’s moved away from the phone. So much makes sense. I understand why Nonno has been waiting to erase Riccardo, why he has felt he has lost more than any of us.
Had I known who I was years ago, I would have killed Barbieri and just taken over. Riccardo would have been long gone. I think they understood this. Ma knows me.
Nonno returns to the call more calmly as if nothing just happened. He gains so much respect from me in this moment. I couldn’t have checked my shit any better.
“You understand nothing has changed? We still move forward as planned. This blow means more to us all if you land in the position we’ve been aiming for.”
He’s wrong. Everything has changed. Things have fallen into place for me with a renewed purpose. The switch has been flipped. Now that I know who I am and what all Riccardo has taken, I’m laser focused. His debt is overdue.
“Yes, I understand.”
“Are you ready for this meeting? Do you think Dario is ready?”
This meeting is irrelevant. Most of the men who will be in attendance will be indicted soon and don’t even see it coming. We’re going for the optics it will create—Dario as underboss, handling his position.
Then there’s the favor Nonno plans to extend. I smile. He’s protecting my family, my legacy.
“Yeah, I’m ready. He will be fine. We’re just going to hear them out. He’s been in his position long enough to pull this off.”
“Magnifico. It will all work out. I’ll let you get ready.”
Jace
Nonno wants me to offer my legal services to two of the families here tonight. Only two. There are at least seven families here from New York and New Jersey.
My job is to get them the message without the others finding out. Which won’t be too hard given the fact that most don’t give me much attention outside the favors Gio and I do for them. Although most, if not all of them, have come to the Dollhouse for a favor or two.
I pull the ear of Don Cipriani’s second-in-command and then move to Don Del Vecchio as he locks eyes with me and waves me over. I lean in and whisper my message from Don Giuseppe.
Don Del Vecchio nods and pats my cheek. As I knew would happen, no one pays much mind to the exchange.
I move over to Gio as he sits next to Dario and lean into his ear. “It’s done.”
He grunts and gives a slight nod. I fade back into the background and fold my arms in front of me as if I’m not here. My job is done. They will come to me.
Gio
“That was a waste of time,” Dario says as we climb into the SUV.
“It was what it needed to be. Things are changing. It’s making all of the leadership antsy. Things haven’t settled since Don Barbieri’s death.”
Dario pulls a hand down his face. “I didn’t think I’d be here when I grew up.”
“Relax, Peter Pan. It’s not that serious,” I scoff.
“Tell that to Papa Riccardo,” Dario huffs.
“That dick is still in your ear about shit he knows nothing about?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Dario, you’re not slow. Stop letting him treat you like his puppet. As a matter of fact, you should stop talking to him.”