The training changes according to their ages. The youngest boys are taught discipline, family history, basic self-defense, and the importance of protecting those who cannot protect themselves. As they grow older, the lessons become more demanding.
No child is forced into service. At least not while I’mDon.But those who choose this life will be properly prepared for it.
“What do the girls learn?” Foster asks.
“Whatever they wish.”
He looks surprised by that answer.
“If they want to become guards, they receive the same training as the males. If they want to attend college, we prepare them for college. If they want nothing to do with the family business, they are given the education and resources required to build a life outside it. We don’t, however, force them into marriages like other families do.”
“Though many families have tried arranging marriage with some of our girls over the years,” Stefano says. “They quickly learned that we don’t operate like that.”
“Your world is scary,” Skip says, shaking his head. “Where do I sign up?”
“You don’t.”
His smile falls. “Why not?”
“You wouldn’t survive the reading class.”
“I know how to read.”
“Without pictures?” Bones asks.
Skip places a hand over his heart. “You people are hurtful.”
“You asked,” Spike reminds him.
“I changed my mind. I don’t feel emotionally safe here.”
Laughing, I make my way toward the door.
“I’ll get the meeting arranged,” I tell them. “Luca, find out what happened to our man in Ohio.”
The humor inside the room fades almost instantly.
“I’ll handle it,Don,” Luca promises.
I nod and leave them to their work.
For the next hour, I’ll sit with my family and listen to children read.
Afterward, I will discover who’s been operating inside a Moretti-owned warehouse and whether they’ve made the fatal mistake of harming one of my men.
Chapter Nineteen
Mia
Something’s going on inside this mansion of a house.
The number of guards has increased, and their shift changes have become sporadic. Men I’m used to seeing during the day are suddenly patrolling the halls at night, while others seem to disappear for hours at a time.
All the children who live in one of the many houses scattered across this enormous stretch of land have been moved into the guest rooms inside the main estate.
Maverick even asked me to keep Livy home from school for the next few days.
I agreed without asking too many questions.
