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Whether or not the girl had been used as a pawn mattered very little. Someone had to pay for Luciano’s death. Eye for an eye.
The number of politicians and corporate moguls filling the pews repulsed me. They were probably thrilled a member of the Giordano family had lost his life. I was surprised to see almost every member of the Brotherhood was in attendance. I couldn’t count on two hands how many times I’d made fun of my older brother for helping organize the group of syndicate leaders. However, I sensed more loyalty than I’d anticipated.
The other man responsible for developing the group, Constantine Thorn, had already made an overture that I might be offered my brother’s place on the esteemed council of power. I’d yet to decide whether or not I’d take him up on the invitation if it came. I wasn’t in the mood to play politics, even with our own kind.
Huffing, I shook my head. Yes, we were a specialized breed of monsters, men capable of the most heinous activities, crimes that could put us behind bars for life or could mean our death by lethal injection. Somehow, I had a feeling karma would end my life instead. I twisted the ring in my pocket once again. The Sovereign ring was sacred, the right to wear it earned, not given. That only happened with blood spilled and respect earned. I’d done little of either.
But soon that would change.
Maybe I was channeling my dead brother.
Still, I would follow the code of honor that had been established, having at least one conversation with Constantine. He fashioned himself the Don of Dons, unreproachable to almost everyone. I didn’t know him, nor did I want to make friends. That wasn’t my style.
“I’m sorry, man.” The voice was a reminder of my other life, the one in which I’d altered my identity. Not that it was to protect the innocent. I’d wanted to distance myself from the family name and the stigma attached to it. While I hadn’t flaunted my identity, I also hadn’t attempted to keep my family name or the legacy surrounding it a secret. What good would that do?
“Rick. I appreciate you coming,” I said as I shook his hand.
Rick Lyttle worked in the same brokerage, hired only two months after I’d been. He was sharp, a go-getter like me and we’d hit it off from day one. He took a deep breath, studying the crowd.
“Your brother held influence,” he said.
“Yeah, he did.” Not that he was well liked. People were terrified of what Luciano could do, the brutality that remained deep inside his core. I’d accused him more than once of stepping into our father’s shoes instead of leading the Cosa Nostra in another direction.
Luciano had laughed at me, telling me one day I’d understand exactly what was at stake. This was that day and it sickened me. A weight had been placed on my shoulders, but after some soul searching, I’d realized there was no other choice to make.
“I know how much you cared about him.”
Nodding, I glanced at Rick’s face. He’d had his share of tragedies, including the loss of his sister several years before. “Luciano was the kind of guy you couldn’t ignore.”
He chuckled and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I hate churches. I’ve never been to one when it wasn’t about death.”
Death had weighed heavily on my mind the past few days. I’d never thought much about it beforehand. The family had always seemed invincible. Death was final and the accident that had taken my brother’s life was tainted. There was no way around it. “Understood.” As my father approached, he grumbled under his breath. My father had made no bones about the fact he didn’t like Rick.
“I’ll talk to you after the service.” With that, Rick walked away, staying clear of the powerful Anthony Giordano, feared by almost everyone who knew him.
My father stood by my side, staring at the priest as he offered the comfort my mother and sisters needed. I’d drowned out the man’s voice, constantly scanning those paying their respects. It wasn’t unheard of for an enemy to be so callous as to make an attempt during a religious ceremony. Even though my mother had forbidden it, I carried two weapons, ordering Luciano’s soldiers to surround the church. Correction. My soldiers.
“You should join your mother,” Father said, keeping his voice hushed out of respect.
“Later.”
“You’re concerned the Morettis will make a strike?”
“Given it was likely they were well aware of Luciano’s intentions, I wouldn’t put it past them. You shouldn’t either. With his death, they will assume the Giordano family can’t recover, coming at us with both barrels, no matter the deal you made. They are dead wrong.”
Several awkward seconds passed.
“The deal is still on the table,” he growled.
“That’s for me to decide.” Two more of my soldiers had died in a random shooting meant to look like a drug deal gone bad, but in my eyes, someone was sending a message. However, jumping to conclusions when I’d been out of the game for so long was ill advised.
The tension remained high.
“Does that mean you’re accepting your position?” he asked, not bothering to look in my direction. What better location to turn over the thorny crown of control than at a funeral.Business never stopped, Pops had told me more than once. I was second in line, my two sisters considered incapable of handling the family business, at least to the degree that would be necessary. They’d been kept away from our unscrupulous side, a part of the Italian heritage.
“It means that I will do what’s necessary.” At this point, I was ready to put a bullet into every Moretti asshole. I’d wanted to do so for years, but Pops had talked me out of it. Now he wouldn’t have the right to do so after I accepted the throne.
He gripped my shoulder the same way he’d done at the hospital, only this time his hold wasn’t as firm. “I’m proud of you, son, for stepping up to the plate. Your brother would also be. We will make tonight special.”
