Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
They’re still wearing their tuxedos.
We gather in my office. The men sit at a large table, pour drinks, light cigars, and start bullshitting each other. There’s a deep nervous energy in the room. Bianca shows up a few minutes later and lets me know that Lucy is safe and curled up in my bed. That’s one less thing I have to worry about.
“You all know why you’re here.” I stare at the men around me. “You all saw that shitshow back there.”
“One hell of a wedding, Adriano,” Frank says, showing crooked, gold-capped teeth. “Ended with a bang.”
Marco rolls his eyes. “Terrible joke.”
“It’s late, and I’ve been drinking.” Frank shrugs, leaning back. “But the question is, what do we do about what happened back there?”
“The response should be simple,” Vittorio says, sounding cold and controlled. “Find who is responsible and kill them.”
“Might spook the society folk,” Marco says, considering. He frowns at me, head tilted. “And the next question is, do you even know who is responsible?”
I let that question linger for a moment before answering. “I can’t say for sure, but Demir Yilmaz made it clear that he didn’t want me to marry Lucy. I have a feeling the car bomb was Gray Wolf’s work.”
All three men stare at me. They know what it means if Gray Wolf is behind the bombing.
War, and an ugly one.
“What could they have to gain?” Marco asks, looking around the room. “It wasn’t like any of our people were hurt.”
“Optics,” Bianca says. She looks at me. “You couldn’t protect your own wedding.”
My jaw flexes. Anger surges through me. “I didn’t think I had to keep a fucking car from exploding in the goddamn lobby.”
“Nobody here blames you. We were all there.” She holds out a hand in a calming gesture. “But that’s what people are going to say.”
“She’s right,” Vittorio agrees. “Those fucking lemmings are going to scatter to the wind.”
“Gonna be a hit to business,” Frank says, looking grim now. “Real big fucking hit.”
“We have connections with many prominent families in the city. If they start abandoning organizations affiliated with the Famiglia because they fear Gray Wolf—” Marco cocks his head, squinting into the middle distance, looking like he’s doing a hard math problem. “The fallout will be considerable.”
I start pacing again. My heart’s a steady march, but my chest is ablaze with anger. I knew Demir was crazy, but I had no clue the lengths he’d go to sabotage this marriage.
All because he thinks he has a claim to my wife.
“Luca’s doing damage control, but we all need to get on the phone and start making calls. I’ll reach out to as many people as I can to see how bad this is.” I nod over at Marco. “You take the lead on this one.”
“Understood, Adriano.” He nods slightly and stands. “I’ll get on it right now.”
I turn to Vittorio. “I want Gray Wolf men. Two of them if you can. I want them in my basement by tomorrow night. I have questions.”
“That I can do.” Vittorio stands languidly and stretches. “How healthy do you need them?”
“Feel free to soften them up first.”
Vittorio lazily salutes and walks out after Marco.
Frank studies me. He puffs on his cigar, one hand on his thick belly. “You know, this is the sort of situation the Don should be aware of.” His eyebrows raise. “Where is your father, Adriano?”
I meet his gaze. “The Don isn’t feeling well.”
“Must be pretty bad if he missed his own son’s wedding.” Frank chews the end of his cigar.
Bianca glances at me. “Papa’s just recovering from a procedure—”
“Cut the shit,” Frank says, sounding exhausted. “Are we really still doing this dance? Nobody believes it anymore.”
I hold Frank’s gaze. I feel the danger in this moment. Right now, I’m at my weakest, and if Frank or anyone else in the Famiglia wants to rise up to take power for themselves, that car bombing was the perfect cover.
“The Don will be happy to see you when he’s feeling better,” I say coldly. “Or is that not good enough for you, Salvatore?”
He grunts and shakes his head. “Say what you will, but we all know you’re the real power here. I’m on your side, Adriano. I’m too fucking old for a coup and way too lazy to run this whole damn show. Your monkeys, your fucking circus.”
I don’t fully believe him, but I nod as if I do. “I appreciate that.”
“But I want to see my friend.” Frank’s gaze is hard. “How bad is he, really?”
“He’s sick,” Bianca says. “He wouldn’t want you to see it.”
“Che peccato… I’ll light a candle for him tonight. Che Dio l’aiuti. Life is too short. Your father was a good man.”
“He’s still a good man,” I say and slump into a chair. “I need you on the family, Frank. If you’re on my side, then prove it. Make sure everyone’s on the same page here. Gray Wolf is the enemy.”