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Dominic Garcetti looks more put together than I’ve ever seen him. His suit is impeccable, his short, curly hair cleanly cut, and there’s an air of confidence to him that I don’t remember being there before. We took different paths as adults, him pursuing a career within the family and me outside of it, and it pleases me to see that he’s been successful.
“I got made last year,” he tells me with a shrug that betrays how proud he is of the achievement. “I think yourNonnoinvited metonight because he knows we used to be friends as kids. What made you decide to come back to the family?”
I’m saved from having to answer by the sound of my grandfather dinging one of the pistols against a wine glass. “Gentlemen, there is something I wish to announce while I have you all gathered here.”
Taking a deep breath, I turn to look at him, as does everyone else. I’m the only one who knows what’s coming, and I know it’s going to wipe the dumb smiles off of all their faces. They’re going tohateit.
I’m going to hate it even more.
“Gentlemen, I’m old,” Nazzaro begins with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, that’s not the announcement. I don’t need to blind you with my shiny bald head to get that point across. But somebody is going to need to run the Rossi family when I’m gone, and I don’t want there to be a squabble over it. So in the interest of avoiding that power vacuum, I’ve decided to name a successor.”
Around me, several of the captains stiffen. Eyes flash with ambition, and there’s a palpable tension in the room.
“My son Anthony was taken from us when he was far too young,” he continues, and several of the men make respectful gestures. “But that legacy continues now in his son. My grandson. Alessandro, where are you? Come over here.”
The atmosphere is already changing as the people gathered begin to realize what is going on. Nobody dares to mutter, but I can feel their excitement turning to bitterness as I make my way to the front.
“Alessandro will succeed me as boss of this family,” says my grandfather, either oblivious or just ignoring the seething resentment these words have created among his men, men who have spent their entire lives grinding for a chance at the top position. “And when that day comes, you will show him the same respect that you showed me.”
***
“That went over about as well as I expected,” I whisper to Dominic, exhaling slowly. The ceremony is over now, and people are mingling before we all head out to our next event, some mobbed-up couple tying the knot in what I’m sure will be a lavish ceremony.
Dominic raises his eyebrows. “I take it you knew Nazzaro was going to do that?”
I nod. Of course I knew. Whether I like it or not, I agreed to this.
“Hey.” Dominic holds out his hand. We shake, then he hugs me and plants a kiss on my cheek. “Congratulations, man. People can say what they want, but I’m glad it’s you.”
“I think you might be the only one,” I mutter, catching one of the captains glaring at me out of the corner of my eye.
“Let them talk,” says my friend, shrugging. “You’re the one with the power now, whether they like it or not.”
Uncle Sal comes up to us, and it’s nice to see at least one other smiling face. “So fuckin’ happy for you, Al. You’re going to do your father proud.” He shakes my hand and kisses me on the cheek.
Now that I’ve been publicly congratulated by the most powerful Rossi captain, the others grudgingly follow suit, lining up to pay me their respects. Faking warmth, I shake hand after hand, looking into eyes that hate me, or resent my existence at best.
Every handshake wears me thinner than the last. I’m only a people person in small doses, and this is a fucking overdose.
And now I get to go shake more hands at a wedding.
Chapter Two
Ava
“You know she didn’t even grow up in the life?” I whisper to Isabella as the bride walks past us, glowing with happiness. “Could you imagine marrying into this shit on purpose?”
“That’s wild.” My friend shakes her head, chuckling darkly. “She probably has no idea what she’s getting herself into.”
“Or she does, and she’s sick in the head.”
“Could be that, too. You want to get out of here and find a spot where we can…” She brings her fingers to her lips, miming taking a hit from a joint.
I laugh. “You brought something?”
“Sure did, it’s in my purse.”
“Thank god. Only way to make this crap bearable. This way?”
