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“I couldn’t give a shit about who you are or what the rules of this group. If you ever disrespect a member of my family again, I will cut your nuts off first and feed them to the birds. Then I’ll go from there.”
The tension in the room was palpable. Then all five men started to laugh.
“Well done,” Diego said, half laughing. “Luciano said you were a true savage.”
Fuck me. The shit had been a setup to see what I was made of. In response, I dug the tip into Maxim’s neck only enough to allow a trickle of blood to flow. Then I backed away, waiting as he turned around, slapping his hand across the slight injury. The expression on his face was priceless, hard as steel, his chest rising and falling from rage.
Then he burst into a grin. “You have balls, my new friend,” he said, his accent surprisingly heavy for a man who’d lived a good portion of his life in the States.
“Don’t fuck with me and I won’t fuck with you,” I said in retort.
“I think we all need a drink,” Diego said.
“More than one,” Brogan added.
While they refilled their glasses, I took a deep breath. There was a hell of a lot I didn’t know about my brother. I still wondered what had set him off, leading to the tragic events. Sadly, it was something I might never be able to determine.
“I’m sorry about that. We had to know how committed you were,” Constantine said as he flanked my side.
“I can’t tell you that I am at this point. I have other issues to contend with.”
“The Morettis.”
“Yes.”
“They’ve moved into Jersey. Word on the streets is they aren’t content with owning the garden state. It would appear Philly is on their radar as well.”
Phoenix approached, nodding from overhearing the conversation. “If the Albanians would feed off them, I wouldn’t give a shit, but it appears they’re working together.”
Sighing, I realized it was time to pay Joseph Moretti a visit, if only to find out the reason my brother had flown off the deep end.
“Yes, my brother was determined to put an end to Joseph’s reign before he died.”
Constantine huffed. “A tall feat. He has security unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
“Well, I have something he wants,” I said as I glanced from one man to the other. “My sister for his son.”
“Arranged marriages,” Brogan said, half laughing. “They’re the mark of an ancient civilization that refuses to die a permanent death.”
“Tell me about it. Pops is determined that I marry and provide at least one heir,” Constantine said, his laugh boisterous. “Over my dead body.”
“Well, if you use women to your benefit and she comes from the right connections, it can prove to be useful.” I couldn’t help but grin.
“I think wedding bells might be in the future, gentlemen.” Constantine held up his glass. “If you need help with the Morettis, call one of us.”
“What are the rules of this Brotherhood?”
He looked at me, not surprised I didn’t know. “You don’t fuck with each other, and the identities of the members and our conversations are private. If you disregard those rules, you won’t need to worry about banishment.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s get this over with. Luciano was a man of ceremony,” Diego said more to me than anyone else.
“And will continue to honor the traditions he and I set in motion years ago.”
Constantine’s direction was clear. This was his baby, and it was something else not to be fucked with. I watched as he pulled a knife from his pocket then grabbed a bowl and what appeared to be over the counter alcohol. After pouring a stream over the blade, he lifted his eyebrows. “Blood oath.”
I was no longer surprised at the level of seriousness. The commitment Luciano had to the family and to the Brotherhood was evident. I moved closer, placing my drink on my desk.
