Page 56 of Unraveled

“You see those men through very rose-tinted glasses, Gian.”

“I think I take them for their word, and see what they give me,” he replied easily. “It’s you who doesn’t think the younger Capos deserve a voice in this organization. You told them that again and again—you made it even more apparent, when you placed yourself into the boss’s seat without allowing them a vote in it.”

“Be that as it may—”

“That is what it is,” Gian interrupted. “There’s no other way to look at it, Edmond.”

“But there is,” the boss replied quietly. “There is, because there is you, Gian.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I believe things have gotten out of hand these last couple of weeks, and I place the blame for that squarely on you.”

Gian barked out a laugh, and for the first time, glanced away from the gun to stare at Edmond. “Me?”

“Yes, you. Had you not given half of my men a reason to believe they could dissent and rebel, then I wouldn’t have these problems at the moment. They genuinely assume that by supporting you, they will eventually get what they want. And so, this is what we’re going to do about it.”

“Do tell.”

“You’re going to walk yourself back over to my side of things—act as the proper underboss your grandfather trained you to be for the last few years, and shut your mouth about the rest. Because, you see, when the men see you getting in line, they’ll begin to move back into their proper places as well.”

“You honestly believe it’s that simple?” Gian asked, amused.

“I believe it’s what needs to happen. They’re all sheep, they will follow the wolf, as sheep tend to do.”

“I wasn’t standing on either side of any lines until a bomb was set on my car, Edmond.” Gian smirked. “And even now, I haven’t properly taken a side. I didn’t think there was a side to take.”

“Then you are stupid and naive. There is always a side, even when there isn’t a war to be won.”

“A good boss would want harmony in his family, for the sake of business.”

“I don’t give a shit about harmony, I want compliant men.”

“I don’t think I can help you with that,” Gian said honestly. “They have their own mind. The fact you believe they’ll follow along with me, simply because I am me, speaks to your naivety, Edmond. And considering someone recently tried to blow me up—I haven’t put you out of the running for that one quite yet—you can’t expect me to jump at the chance to help you, now.”

“Well, that’s too bad, isn’t it?”

The car began to slow, and then pulled off the road altogether. It was only then that Gian realized where they were, and he barely contained his surprise at the apartment building staring back at him.

Cara’s apartment building.

“Consider this your final warning, Gian,” Edmond said. “Get in line, and help the rest of the men follow along, or I will remove you altogether. It might cause me a bit of trouble after I remove you, a few years’ worth of feuding or nonsense, but those dissenters too will learn to shut up, fall in line, or dig their own grave.”

Edmond smiled. “I don’t mind doing it like that, though I would rather do it the easier way and make it quick. And then, you also get to live and keep your place. It’s very simple.”

Gian didn’t care.

He was still staring at Cara’s apartment building.

Why would the boss bring him here?

What point was there to be made with this?

“Do we understand one another, Gian?” Edmond asked.

Gian forced his features to remain cool and calm. “I certainly hear you.”

“Consider my words, but I won’t give you much time.” Edmond waved at the building. “I hear you’ve been spending a lot of time with a young woman who lives here, so I figured this would be a good place to end our little chat. Have a good day, Gian.”