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I look him in the eye before answering. “It’s vital that the men at your back advising you are trustworthy. If I order Isaac here to do something,consigliereor not, I know he’ll do it. Regardless of what it is.”
“Exactly.”
“Well, are there any other points to discuss while we’re all here?” Leone Gallo asks impatiently.
“My father’s funeral will be held in five days. I invite you all to come and pay your final respects, but I understand it’s not always so easy to get away.”
All eyes turn to me as they nod, murmuring about how they will be there, before turning to Aldo.
“What about Vigo?” Mattia asks.
“The nature of his death is still being investigated. Unfortunately, it was my wedding night, so I was absent when the accident happened. This means the authorities got there before we could take control of the situation. The fire marshal has deemed the fire arson, so I will be investigating. As you can imagine, my wife, Vigo’s daughter, is distraught. She’ll be arriving soon for the reading of the will, so I’d like to say a few things before that happens.”
Oh, this outghta be good. I lean back and wait for whatever shit is about to come out of his mouth.
“I think it’s clear that there was a hit on Vigo, and though we’ll mourn his loss, it’s important to keep things running smoothly. That means finding and punishing those responsible. Obviously, our eyes are turned to our enemies, but I would be a terrible leader if I didn’t look inward, too. Now, to do this, I’ll be sending a few men into each of your?—”
“No,” I tell him, folding my arms. “You won’t be sending anyone into my territory and investigating my people. If you want to investigate your own, that’s your prerogative, but you have no power over me or my people.”
“I’m the don?—”
“And so am I, and my first responsibility is to protect my people. I might have been in prison, Aldo, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have eyes and ears everywhere. I know what kind of man you are, and I can tell you now that you won’t be interrogating any of my people—man, woman, or child.”
He jumps to his feet, his men stepping back. “Who the fuck do you think you are? I tell you to jump, and you say, how fucking high? I should have your fucking tongue for speaking to me like that,” he snarls, looking to the others for support. But he’s overplayed his hand and hasn’t even noticed.
“I don’t answer to you.”
“You all fucking answer to me,” he snarls as the others get to their feet and protest.
Mattia slams his fist onto the table and roars, “Sit down.”
I lower myself back down into my seat just as the others do, until only Aldo remains standing, glaring at all of us.
“Vice is right. You do not rule us. You are overstepping, Aldo,” Mattia states angrily.
“You might be dons, but I am the godfather.”
I roll my eyes at the stupid fucking nickname the media made up. “Bullshit. You might have taken over from Vigo, but you haven’t earned anything,” I tell him.
He leans over the table, his eyes boring into mine. “I am the favored son. Gia is the heir to the Fiore fortune, and as her husband, it’s mine. While all of you were running around like headless chickens, Vigo was amassing a fortune. His territory is bigger than any of yours, and his firepower means he could destroy all of you.”
“His yes, but he’s dead. You’re just a wannabe with a Napoleon complex.”
He smirks at me. “Look at you trying to play with the big boys, Vice. We all know it’s an act. Your father should have put you down when he had the chance. Everyone knows you’re a faggot. I bet prison was like a holiday camp for you.”
He smiles viciously as I look at him with a bored expression. His look falters when he doesn’t get the reaction he’s after.
“Was that supposed to hurt my feelings? You can believe what you want, Aldo. It doesn’t make it true.”
“You know, being gay means I could off you right now, and nobody would say shit.”
I feel Isaac and Conner step closer as I cock my head and grin. “What game are you playing here, Aldo? It all seems a little convenient to me. Vigo died on the night of your wedding to his daughter, and now you’re picking fights with me because I won’t let you into my territory. You want to start a smear campaign against me? Go ahead. Who’s next? Mattia because he’s coming up to retirement age? Or maybe Leone because his territory borders yours?”
“You’re deflecting, you piece of shit. Prove it. Prove you’re not gay, and I’ll let you live.”
“You’d be dead before you touched me, Aldo. I’d be careful with the threats. After all, I killed my brother. You’re nothing more than shit on my shoe.”
“Aldo, it’s impossible for him to prove he isn’t gay.” Gian sighs, looking uncomfortable.
