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“You are the man your father raised. You’re good, you’re strong, and you know what you’re doing. And if you find yourself at a loss, you have me, Kai, and Valen.”
I don’t know how my father knew her so well to choose her for me, but he was right. “You know, the letter he wrote me said he knew you would be good for me.”
Brielle laughs softly. “He said the same thing to me.”
“I guess, even in his weakest moments, my father knew how to do this.”
“And so will you,” Brielle reassures me, and I push back all those doubts that have sprung to the surface. I need to trust in me, and our family, and I need to trust in my father.
* * *
The roomwe’re ushered into is dark, only lit by the candelabra hanging from the centre of the circular space. There are also smaller pillar lamps that dance with a live flame.
Each man surrounding the table is dressed in all black. The same as myself, Kai, and Valen. While Brielle is in a dark grey dress, her long flowing hair hangs straight down to the middle of her back. It looks like we’re heading to a funeral.
“Judah Venier,” a deep rumble comes from one of the older men in the room. His hair is a full head of salt, with small strands of pepper. “Welcome to your initiation ceremony.”
“Thank you.” I’m not sure what to say, or do. He then crooks his finger and calls me over to the head of the table. On the large wooden surface, I spy the contract I will be signing, and the oath of Omertà, which I’ve already taken, but this is for a whole new position.
Also on the table, beside the old vellum pages that look like they come from old Roman times, is the dagger, and beside it, the gun. The blade is one I’ll use to cut my hand and bleed my allegiance to the clan. And to the mafia.
“Everyone, be seated,” the announcement comes and this morning’s distraction is a long gone memory now. I’m a deer caught in headlights. Even though I’ve been through something similar when I took the role of Underboss, I know this will hold so much more responsibility.
“Tonight, we welcome the eldest son of the Venier clan. He’s been a force to be reckoned with so far in his job as the Underboss to his father. But, tragedy struck and now, he’s going to be taking the helm.”
Another of the older men rises to his feet, and he says, “Tonight, the Prince will become a King. And beside him, the Queen will also rise to power. The decision has been made that she will rule with her husband, rather than take a back seat in the organisation.”
“Will Brielle Venier please rise, and join us at the head of the table.” My head snaps up and I look over at my wife. We didn’t expect this. She wasn’t meant to be a part of this, but with confidence, she squares her shoulders and rises to full height.
“Thank you,” Brielle says with a slight curtsy before she makes her way toward me. We’re standing at the front of the room, at least, what I would call it as it’s circular in shape. But the large, ornate chair that represents the King’s seat is right before me.
“Firstly, we will ask Judah to take the blade, and press it to his palm, as he recites the oath.” The older man gestures for me to continue, and I know I have no choice. Not that I want one, but I’m still fucking nervous.
I obey the elder and as the blood drips from my hand, I utter the words, “My blood means that we are now one Family, and I take the seat at the top. I am now King of the Venier clan. I live by the gun and the knife and I will die by the gun and the knife.”
Those silver eyes that were piercing through me land on Brielle. “And now, it’s your turn.”
I don’t want to see her bleed. But Brielle is strong. She takes the blade from my hand, and she presses it to her palm, mimicking what I did. And when her crimson life force drips onto mine on the paper, she says, “My blood means that we are now one Family, and I take the seat at the top. I am now Queen of the Venier clan. I live by the gun and the knife and I will die by the gun and the knife.”
Even though I know it’s an oath she has to voice, the idea of her dying makes my gut churn. She can’t leave me with this shitstorm that we’re taking over. I need her by my side. I’m surprised at my thoughts once more.
“We will now sign the contract using the blood from you both,” the elder announces. Even though this was the easy part, the dinner after will be long and tedious. We will have to meet each of the men in this room. We will have to answer questions and hopefully appease their concerns. We’re young, much younger than most of the men who are currently running their own clans. But I know we can be better at it.
Once our signatures are dried on the vellum, the contract is rolled up and it’s bound with a bright red ribbon. It will forever be stored in the archives. And when our children one day take over, they will then see what we did when we were the ones standing here.
We’re given cloth bandages to wrap around our hands, and a pin each to secure them in place. I want to laugh, but I don’t disrespect the elders who are here.
It’s still crazy for me to think about, knowing my Dad was one of the men who signed his life away to an organisation he ran for more than forty years. He was a few years younger than I am today when he took over, and yet, he did it with the confidence that made it seem as if he was born with the dagger in his hand.
It takes a few long moments for the rest of the men to file out, and for the contracts to be stored. By the time we’re welcomed into the dining hall, I am ready to go to bed. I’m surprised when I walk in with Brielle’s hand in mine, to find there’s a birthday cake waiting on me.
“We wanted to wish you a proper happy birthday,” Giacomo says, and I recognise him as one of Dad’s most trusted allies. He’s been running his organisation for as long as I can remember, and probably far longer as he’s almost eighty now. “Your father would have been so proud to see his eldest up there taking the oath.”
“Well, I appreciate that. He did watch me as I took the Underboss and the Capo initiation vows.” He probably doesn’t remember, but as I say the words, he slowly nods.
“Oh, right,” he says then. “I’m an old man, Judah. One day, when you’re like me, you’ll be lucky because you have a beautiful wife to keep you young.” He guffaws, for an older man it’s a booming sound. “It’s lovely to meet you, sweetheart.”
He holds out a hand to Brielle who accepts without a second guess. “And you, Mr—”
