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I intended on breaking the cycle of the tainted regime, making it my own.
Even if doing so cost me my life in order to save hers.
Love.
The most powerful drug of all.
CHAPTER23
D’Artagnan
Sixteen men filled the living room of my Tuscany villa, all of them armed and briefed by Raphaelo. All sixteen studied me intently, looking at me entirely differently than they’d done before. They’d known of my reputation, the savage man I’d become, but they were curious if I could rein in my rage and lead.
They had no idea how long I’d been planning on doing just that.
As Raphaelo moved forward, pushing past the group of men, he extended his hand. “D’Artagnan.”
“Any movement?” I asked while shaking his hand.
“None, but the word on the street is that a possible attack is imminent.”
Possible attack. He was soft selling the movement of the Bratva. I didn’t blame him at this point. The last thing that I needed to do was create or build any fear amongst the ranks. “We will act quickly. Are other soldiers in place?”
He eyed me carefully, studying me as if still unsure of my intentions. “Three hundred men have pledged their allegiance.”
I moved away, heading toward one of the windows, the weapon I’d positioned behind my back clearly visible to every man in the room. “This needs to be done carefully.”
“Franco and Mattia?” he asked, and I heard noise in the room.
I didn’t bother turning around, taking a deep breath. While the soldiers closest to my adopted father knew of his condition, most in his employ had no idea how dire his health situation had become. “Franco is dying. Terminal cancer. He has maybe three months to live. I have no intentions of eliminating his last months unless absolutely necessary. As far as my brother,” I hissed then slowly turned to face them, looking each man in the eye before finishing, “he’s betrayed us all, likely pledging an oath to the Volkov family.”
It would seem the majority of men in the room had no idea how far the betrayal had gone. At least their expressions highlighted the bitterness they felt.
Raphaelo bristled, fisting his hand. “Then he must die.”
“So it would seem.” My answer was clipped.
“What do you offer us in exchange for our loyalty?” one of the soldiers I knew by name only addressed me, shifting in front of the others.
I remained where I was standing when answering his question. “A long-term relationship. Additional salary and benefits. I will also ensure the safety of your families. But your loyalty will be without question. Should you choose to ignore your pledge, you will be hunted and killed. Without hesitation.” As the soldiers looked from one to the other, I could tell most were prepared to follow my command.
“Mattia is a wildcard, someone who doesn’t understand the necessity of patience when dealing with the enemy,” Raphaelo addressed them. “He would ultimately get us killed in his desire to rule the world.”
“What Raphaelo says is true,” Sergio added. “Mattia is no leader. We need someone who can keep us from the tyranny of the Bratva. Let’s face it. Franco’s method of handling business has placed us all in possible peril.”
While gathering the various Capos hadn’t been done for a debate on my leadership skills, I allowed the meeting to take a different turn. It was vital to have them on board.
“True enough,” another soldier said. “Even the Romanos have made advances, threatening to shift from their island paradises into the mainland.”
“If marriage to the Lazarro daughter comes true, the structure of power will be altered,” Lorenzo muttered. I’d known him since being brought into the family, the respect of his men he’d earned.
“It will not come about,” I stated without explanation. Raphaelo had a slight grin on his face. He’d been the man instructed by Franco to begin my conditioning the day I’d entered the DeLuca regime. While my adopted father had shown no compassion, Raphaelo had done so countless times, his brutal training including aspects of historical knowledge. It was his acts of kindness that had formed a bond.
“You’re certain?” Bruno threw at me.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Very much so. We will be successful in maintaining our territory and our lives.” If there was still some debate, it didn’t show.
“Then we move forward,” Lorenzo offered. “Together.”
