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“Agreed,” Bruno stated but dared to walk closer. “You have our loyalty, Don DeLuca, but do not fail us.”
His underlying threat shouldn’t go unpunished, but now wasn’t the time to handle any aspect by showing brutality to my men. Besides, I had yet to be crowned the Don.
“Leave us,” Raphaelo instructed, glancing over his shoulder before directing his full attention toward me once again. “We will be ready.”
“Sergio. Check word on the streets. Let me know if the Bratva advance in any location within Italy.”
“You’re planning on protecting the Five Families?” Lorenzo asked, his brows furrowed.
“As I said, it’s in our best interest,” I told him.
He nodded several times. “This should be interesting.”
“Take your men and surround Franco’s estate. We go tomorrow.”
“Will do, Don DeLuca.”
As the soldiers were guided from the room, Raphaelo remained, shoving his hands into his pockets. There was a hint of amusement on his face. He waited until they were gone before shaking his head. “I’m curious why you’re so certain of our success.”
I glanced toward the door before removing my ring from my pocket. It took him a few seconds before grinning. “I guess congratulations are in order. I assume the lovely bride is somewhere close?”
“She is.”
He laughed. “I always knew you’d make the kind of leader Franco had no understanding of how to become.”
“Franco only knows how to rule one way. With anger and violence. I almost succumbed to the same disability.”
“But you didn’t because you were born to lead.” He clapped me on the shoulder, his kind eyes something I’d always remembered.
A quiet moment slipped between us. He’d learned early on not to disagree with anything Franco said, on the receiving end of man’s savagery more than once. Everyone employed within the regime knew what Franco was capable of. While I had no issue using violence as necessary as proven by my methods of handling enemies, ruling by acts of terror had its limitations.
“You didn’t deserve what you had to endure,” he said quietly.
“In my mind, I did. If I hadn’t learned about the treachery of life in the mafia, I would have never been provided with the opportunity to satisfy my need for revenge.”
For a few seconds, he looked horrified. “Please tell me your marriage isn’t a sham.”
“Not in the least. She is the reason I will succeed. The person truly responsible will pay.”
“Take it from someone who’s partaken in his share of vengeful acts. Be careful, D’Artagnan. There comes a point when the need for revenge turns into bloodlust that will never leave you. Don’t fall into that trap.”
“Advice to be considered.” Chuckling, I thought about the next few days. “How bad will the opposition be?”
“Mattia has soldiers loyal to him, but not nearly the number needed to overthrow your takeover. If Franco’s condition is as dire as you’ve led us to believe, I doubt he’ll put up much of a fight. However, it’s the other families you need to be concerned about. Roberto Lazarro has significant numbers, men who will die to keep his regime protected.”
“I don’t intend on crushing his empire, but it will be handled differently.”
He studied me carefully. “You’re going to allow your new bride to have more control.”
“She is my wife.” I wasn’t entirely certain what his reaction would be.
“I’m proud of you, D’Artagnan. There’s no stronger empire than one run by a woman.”
“Oh, she won’t run it,” I said with a lilt in my voice.
“You haven’t been married long enough. You’ll see. Trust me.”
Somehow, I didn’t doubt what he said. “Make no mistake. This will cost lives. Have your family taken to safety.”
