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“Meaning what?” I finally turned around to face him. He was holding up his phone, the look on his face sheepish.
“Just take a look. I just got this from Mark.”
I grabbed it from his hand, flipping through the photographs he’d been sent. The photographs provided by another soldier were grisly even in my world, the charred remains of several vehicles obviously torched. The last photograph was the most telling. There was no doubt the man in the back passenger seat was Liam O’Banyon. “What the fuck?”
“Yeah, that’s what I said. The entire family and the men protecting him were hit. There’s barely anything left but Ronin was taken out as well.”
If this was the case, then who the hell was attempting to extort the Thorn family? What the fuck was I missing? What if this had more to do with the Rossi family? I rubbed my jaw, trying to determine how best to handle this shitstorm I’d been handed.
“I’m headed to Constantine’s house. Stay in control here. If you see anything out of the norm, you will call me.”
“What about the woman?” As soon as he asked the question, he instantly regretted it, throwing up his hands. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of your wife.”
“Just leave her in her room.”
“And the puppy?”
“She’s not to see him.”
As I walked into the house to grab my keys, for the first time in my life, I hated what I was.
Including the man I’d become.
The Zoom call only had a few of the Brotherhood members on it given it was such short notice, but the silence was just as deafening as I knew it would be.
Both Constantine and I had drinks in our hand, both still trying to process what we’d learned about Margot as well as Liam and his family’s ugly demise. There were far too many things that made no sense.
“Liam has half a dozen enemies,” Brogan said. “A number of them stating without issue they wanted the man dead. You can’t assume anything at this point.”
“We’ll need a list of them,” Constantine told him.
“Will do. However, let me be the first to say, I’m not unhappy the fucker is dead,” Brogan added. “He truly thought he could bring his thugs in from Ireland and take over every Irish mafia organization within America. From what I understand, he also had his sights set on Italy and Spain as well, his brother remaining in charge in Ireland.”
I made mental note that they wanted to come into Italy, not that it was unusual. Given Italy was considered the true beginning of the mafia world, almost every syndicate wanted to control the country.
“What about the Rossis?” Gabriel asked. “Is there any possibility they are working with or for someone?”
“Not a chance. The six families of Italy are all powerful entities. Besides, I had the man checked out thoroughly. He’s on the up and up and has a daughter named Maria. Everything checked out completely prior to any party signing the contract.” Constantine was just as confused and angry as I was.
Exhaling, I eased down in one of the seats, studying the group of men. “Phoenix. Do you have anyone close enough to Sicily to see if there if their real daughter is being hidden for some reason?”
Phoenix snorted. “I assure you that Giovanni Rossi isn’t stupid enough to allow his real daughter, if there is one, to remain in the open and hiding her would be a huge risk. I suggest you check the fingerprints of the woman you married. That will tell you everything you need to know.”
“But not why this ruse was put into place,” I told the small group. “There was no indication of that with the information we currently have. Why do something like this when allowing their real daughter to marry would absolutely strengthen their organization?” I was talking out loud more than anything.
“That’s a good question. I suggest you have the woman staying in your house provide that information.” Constantine’s voice was darker than usual.
I nodded, hating what would need to be done. If she didn’t talk willingly, I’d need to use methods that would rip me apart inside. I wasn’t entirely certain I could do that. “Will you check with your contacts and see if there is word about the Rossi family?” I asked all of them.
“Will do,” Gabriel answered first. “Are you still planning on taking over the Cosa Nostra?”
I laughed, glancing toward my brother. “The truth is I think that needs to happen sooner versus later. Rossi might not like it but if he’s in the middle of this, he played a bad hand.”
“We’ll have your back if needed,” Brogan said for the group.
“I appreciate that,” I told them.
Constantine sighed. “We talk again in a day or so. If you find anything concrete, let us know.”
