Novel Palace
31
Massimo
Matteo’s hands tense as he gazes down at the image of Vlad laid out on his office table. He looks enraged
It’s the image we got from Pierbo’s camera.
Pa and I are sitting before him, waiting for him to say something. We’ve just filled him in on what’s happening.
He looks up and aims a cold stare at Pa.
“I have no idea what transaction he’s waiting on,” he states. “It could be anything. There are a number of things happening over the next few weeks that amount in the billion-dollar region. Obviously, though, he must wish to enact Code Ten. Kill us fucking dead and take everything.”
Pa nods. “Yes, it could only be that.”
Phillipe looks at me now, then back at Pa. “What is going on between you and Riccardo? I’m asking as a friend, Giacomo.”
Pa glances at me. I don’t know what to do here. We’ve accomplished our own mission, but what will it mean? It could mean all kinds of shit.
“As your friend, I will tell you that I’m not at liberty to discuss that. As my friend, I will expect you to respect my wishes and those of my son.”
Phillipe gives him an exasperated sigh. “Fucking hell, Giacomo, shit has always been brewing between you and Riccardo. Something happened between you two recently. Something to make him give up his voting rights in the Syndicate and his daughter. That’s one hell of debt repayment. You have more dirt on him. More than this with this madman from the circle of Shadows. Dirt you definitely weren’t supposed to stumble over. I think it’s to do with the syndicate.”
“We signed in blood, and I’m a man of honor. I am not at liberty to tell you anything. I took care of the shit, and this is new shit you have hanging over your head,” Pa tells him firmly, homing in on his old self as boss.
“So, what should I do? My allegiance is to the syndicate. Just for this shit I should recommend the blood death to the Brotherhood.”
I bolt to my feet. Pa has to hold me back. He knows I’m about knock Matteo’s teeth down his throat or kill his ass. Blood death means killing Riccardo and his family. He means to kill Emelia. That’s who they would start with.
“Fucking bastard, you leave my wife out of this. Leave her the fuck out of this!” I shout.
Matteo’s face softens somewhat when he sees my response.
“If you even think of hurting my wife, I’ll slit your throat right where you stand, and you won’t get the fucking chance to recommend shit to anybody,” I threaten. Pa tightens his grip on my arm. “I didn’t have to tell you anything. I could have taken my family and fled. I could have run away with my girl like a motherfucker and leave you to die.”
He stands too and dips his head. “My apologies,” he says and cuts Pa a glance. “I won’t ask again about the feud between you and Riccardo, and I won’t recommend the blood death. I am, however, recommending death to him. So, he’ll get the chance to come and plea his innocence if he chooses to accept the chance.”
Pa releases me, and I clench my jaw. Death to Riccardo is better than being uninitiated. I don’t care about him. He deserves everything he gets. The Syndicate are ruthless bastards. That invitation he’s talking about basically means death by firing squad.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
“You think Riccardo will just come to a meeting he knows he’ll most likely die at?”
“No, so we’ll be looking for him. I think it goes without saying that we’re all in danger until we figure out what transaction he’s waiting for. So, we’ll be looking for him, and when we find him, we’ll lock him up and then give him the chance to talk.”
“He could pull this off, couldn’t he? He must think he can.”
“The significant thing about the Shadows is that they always have help and you never know who’s helping them,” Phillipe answers. His pale blue eyes look even paler. “They are enemies who have allies you may be close to you, and you would never know until it is too late. We are powerful, but even the mighty can fall. I’ll get the best men working on it. I suggest you do the same. More hands, less work.”
I already have my best man working. Dominic.
“Okay, we’ll check back in when we can,” Pa says.
Phillipe nods and we leave. I’m the first to go through the door. When we get outside, I throw a fist in the wall.
“Son… calm down,” Pa says.
I turn to face him. “Pa, I don’t fucking trust him. What if he does come for her?”
“We have to protect against everyone and all eventualities. I don’t think he will. He’s just pissed we won’t tell him what Riccardo did initially. If we do, it’s death to us too. No question about it. When I found out Riccardo was stealing from them, I should have reported it, but I decided to screw with him.”
“We, not just you. Now that it’s done, I can’t feel the redemption I sought.” I shake my head at him.
“I know. Don’t let it get to you. Go home to your wife and cool off. You’ve been back and forth for hours.”
I sigh. I’m fucking exhausted, but I don’t think I can rest until I have some plan in motion. I saw Emelia earlier. She could tell something was up with me. I hate being around her when I feel like this.
“Pa, I’m sick of this shit with Riccardo. I don’t know how he got a man like Alexei in on this.”
“Eventually, all things will reveal themselves.” He dips his head. “Keep your ears to the ground, Massimo.”
“I will.”
One last look at me, and he head to his car.
I jump on my motorcycle and ride home, wanting to see my girl. All I want to do for the rest of the day is spend time with her. Then I’ll get back on track tomorrow. Maybe Dominic will have found something. Thank God, I have Andreas holding the fort at the company. I can’t do business when I’m like this.
I get home. I’m about to make my way upstairs when the sound of ice clinking against crystal has my head turning.
Gabriella stands in the doorway of the sitting room. The broad smile on her face suggests she’s here to cause trouble. What she’s wearing does too-a little kimono-and I’m pretty sure she’s naked under it.
“Hello, lover,” she says with a smile.