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“They would never have said that,” Dom counters.
“I know, because they let you make your own decisions,” Bray tells him.
“Bee, call the lawyer. Have a postnuptial agreement drawn up. That fucker isn’t getting a dime of her money,” Dominic grunts.
“That, I will do,” Lucy concedes.
“You think I need her money? I would never touch a dime of her money,” Lorenzo—the brave, stupid fuck that he is—says from the doorway, where he’s standing hand in hand with Dominic’s daughter.
Kyla maneuvers in front of my nephew, which is funny to see. “Daddy, I’m sorry I left. But, well, you were going to kill him, and I really do love him,” she says, then holds up a hand. “We got married. We’re buying a house in Melbourne together and, well, that’s all there is to it.”
Dominic looks like he’s about ready to have a heart attack. Breaking the silence, I walk over to Kyla and kiss her on both cheeks.
“Welcome to the family, Kyla,” I tell her. This results in having every one of my family members take turns saying their own versions of congratulations and welcome.
“I thought you were staying away for a couple of days,” Enzo says to his brother.
“We changed our minds,” Lorenzo replies.
“I’m not welcoming you to my family, and you will sign the papers our lawyers draw up. If my daughter ever sheds one fucking tear because of you, I’ll cut the ducts out of your eyes, then I’ll rip your fucking heart out and burn it in front of her,” Dominic grunts.
“I love her. I’m not going to ever hurt her,” Lorenzo replies. “And I’ll sign your prenup, postnup, whatever. Like I said, I don’t need her money. I don’t want it either, and she sure as shit can have all of mine.”
ChapterForty
Iwanted this month to be relaxing for my wife. I wanted her to get everything out of this time together that she dreamed of having. What we got instead was one fucking drama after the other, and news that has made my wife cry herself to sleep every night since she’s heard it.
Holly wants to go and live in Sydney for a while, to spend as much time with her sister as she can. And as much as I wanted to be around to help Theo transition into his new position, I can’t deny my wife this request. She’s put up with following me around the world, dealt with the unusual work hours that my job has always required of me. Never once has she complained about what I do or ever asked me to leave the organization. Not that leaving was an option. The only way out is in a casket. But I sure as fuck would have tried if she wanted me to.
I have complete faith in our son, though. He’s going to be a great leader. He alreadyisa great leader. I think back to my father, to the man who raised me. I was always meant to take over for him, just not so young. I wonder what kind of boss I would have become if I had the opportunity to remain under his guidance longer.
Shaking off the guilt that comes with thoughts of my father, I lay out the picture card of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. I chose this particular saint for Theo because he’s a model for servant leadership. Something I hope will help guide my son throughout his reign.
Next, I place a handgun and a knife on the table. Once I’m ready, I take my seat at the long oak table. This meeting room has been used for Valentino ceremonies for centuries now. If only these walls could talk, I’m sure they’d have a million stories about all the men who were made in this room.
I was supposed to take my own oath as Don right here, in this spot. My father was supposed to interview me when the time came. But I didn’t get that option. When he was murdered, I had to take over right away. There was no ceremony, no easing in to my role. Theo has been my underboss for most of his adult life, though, and I need to remind myself of that. He’s ready for this.
Neo walks into the room, interrupting my quiet ruminations. As the head of the council, my cousin overseas every renewed oath. “You ready?” he asks me.
“Yes,” I tell him.
“I never would have thought either of us would have made it this far, you know,” he says.
“Yeah, neither did I, but thank fuck we did.”
“Yeah. He’s going to be okay,” Neo reminds me. “Theo… he’s got this.”
“I know. I trained him.”
“Good to see retirement hasn’t humbled you.” He laughs.
A moment later, the door opens and all four of my sons walk in. I make eye contact with Theo. He’s ready. He wants this. I can see it in his eyes. “You ready?” I ask him aloud. I need to hear him say it, even if I know it to be true in my heart.
“Yes,” he tells me.
I nod my head at the two soldiers at the door. Luca, Matteo, and Romeo all take a seat at the table, while Theo remains standing at the head, in front of me. The room fills with some of the highest ranking members of our organization. I wanted this to be a quiet event, but from the looks of it, every man and his dog turned up to watch my son take his thrown.
Theo already has the respect of the guys. He’s earned it. He wasn’t handed his position. My son had to fight and bleed his way up the ranks just like anyone else did, albeit he might have done it a bit faster because of his last name.
