Page 77 of Revere: A Legacy Novel

“Then why hasn’t she?” he demanded. “We see the symptoms far sooner than you do, and you’re the one feeling them.”

Calisto wouldn’t meet Cross’s gaze. “Perhaps because she thought you wouldn’t care.”

“Or you were the one worried about that.”

“Cross—”

“Make sure she knows to call me,” he interjected, leaving no room for question or argument.

“She knows, Cross. And she will, if she feels she needs to.”

Cross would have to settle himself with that answer, although he didn’t entirely like it. “You called about a chat I needed to have?”

“Two chats, actually,” his father replied. “One for me, and one for us.”

“Explain.”

“You heard about the issue between Rick and James?”

Two Donati Capos whose territories sat side by side. The two captains were always finding some bullshit to fight about. Cross figured the two men were like school children.

“What is it now?” Cross asked. “They’re always bickering between one another. They fight too much for it to be normal. Like an old married couple. I think they like each other.”

Calisto cocked a brow. “Oh?”

“Maybe you ought to tell them to fuck it out, and see how that flies.”

His father coughed out a laugh. “I’m not sure how that would … go over.”

“Better than playing a fucking peacemaker every other month like you do with the fools.”

Calisto shrugged. “Given they’re at it again, I will allow you that slight.”

“Not a slight when it’s true, Papa.”

Across from him, Calisto relaxed a bit at the affectionate term. Cross hadn’t even thought about it until the word slipped from his mouth. It was normal—habit.

“Yes, well, you’re going to get your chance at making the two knock it off once and for all,” Calisto said.

Cross scowled. “I already keep the Capos busy, and make sure they’re on the up. I don’t play peacemaker between made men because—”

“You have no patience, I know.”

“Exactly.”

“Time to learn, I suppose,” Calisto said with a smile. “See, I don’t need the stress of those two. Again. You’re my underboss, so handle them like I want you to.”

“Great.”

“Of course, this is bound to happen with Capos as young as ours are. The younger a made man moves up in ranks, the less time he has had to learn to be a proper made man while in similar company.”

Cross scoffed. “I learned, and they’re no younger than me.”

“You are an exception. You were mentored for this your whole life.”

“That’s true,” Cross said begrudgingly. “What was the other talk you wanted to have?”

Calisto’s amusement faded fast. “The Marcello girl.”