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The heavy oak door to Sandro’s study creaks open, and one by one, following Sandro, the inner circle of the Castellani Family filters in. I curl up in the bay window as usual, looking out over the gardens under the moonlight. Full moon tonight. Several months since the night I got jumped by a pack of Bernardis, and I’m finally back to my old self.
Those Chihuahuas had a nasty nip to them after all, I admitted to Leo. He laughed.
Jack takes his position up the back, bright eyes taking in every corner of the room. Vito DiPietro settles into a chair across from me. His age betrays him through a slight tremble in his hands, and though his imposing demeanor remains intact, I agree with Sandro.
It’s time for the man to go.
Gene Lombardo and Al Montanari come in, Montanari giving me a sideways glance as he always does.
I can’t help but revel in the absence of Silvano Rizzo. Once Sandro sanctioned it, I made sure Rizzo felt every atom of remorse of which he was capable. My vengeance culminated in the removal of his treacherous hands, those hands that took the life from my mother.
And then I parceled up his head in a gift basket for Anna-Vittoria Esposito.
The memory brings satisfaction, and I can’t help smiling to myself. Sandro seems to read my mind, and shoots me a look of warning.
The door opens once more and Leo fills the doorway with his frame. He strides over to me, planting a quick kiss on my head before sinking into an empty seat beside me.
“Apologies for my lateness, Don Castellani,” Leo murmurs. “I was held up down at the port.” He nods around the room, but his gaze lingers on me, and privately, he gives me a wink.
“Let’s get on with business,” Sandro says. “You all know that Vito has requested he be relieved of his position with the Castellani Family. Any objections?”
Vito DiPietro has decided to jump before he’s pushed. First smart thing he’s done in a long time. Sandro scans the room, waiting for a response. He gets none, of course.
“Very well. Vito Joseph DiPietro, you are hereby relieved from your duties, and you hold no further debts to this Family.” Vito nods in gratitude, and everyone claps.
I don’t, until Leo nudges me.
“We will have a dinner to honor your service,” Sandro continues. “But now, I have an important announcement to make.” He pauses. “Jack will be promoted to the position of Underboss, replacing Vito.”
I glance at Montanari, the Enforcer, whose face is stone-cold and unreadable. Like Rizzo, he had delusions of Underboss grandeur. How does he feel about this new development, especially with Leo—such a notorious Enforcer for the Bernardis—now working alongside him? Is Montanari’s silence a sign of acceptance or brewing resentment?
He sees me looking at him and nervously claps Jack’s appointment as well.
“Congratulations, Jack,” I say. I need no nudging to applaud Sandro’s choice here. “How did he persuade you?”
“I’d say he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” Jack says, and everyone laughs, “but the truth is, I got tired of running around with a crew. Time to put my feet up for a bit, eh?”
“You don’t know how much work you got ahead of you, son,” Vito cackles.
Jack smiles. “No doubt. But at least we have a lion to scare the crews into line down at the docks.” He up-nods at Leo, who smiles in acknowledgement.
Yes. All in all, I have never been happier.
But I want to make sure the same is true for Leo.
* * *
The meeting finally adjourns, and Leo’s hand brushes against mine as we exit Sandro’s study, a silent invitation to join him outside. I follow at once, eager for some fresh air and time alone with him. We make our way through to the salon and then step out into the night, the cool air a welcome change.
Leo puts his arm around my shoulders and brings me in for a kiss on the temple. “Good day?” he asks.
“Not without you.”
He chuckles. “Full moon tonight,” he says. “You want to go say hi?”
Our feet find their way down to the redwood grove, to the serene and secluded area where I spread my mother’s ashes in secret. The towering trees whisper in the breeze, the same whisper I sometimes hear when I stare at her portrait long enough.
“Leo,” I begin tentatively, breaking the silence that has enveloped us. “How are you feeling, settling into your new life here? With the Castellanis?”
