AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The possession in his voice has red flags popping up in my brain like a field full of poppies. Yet here I am, considering walking headfirst into something that will probably bring me to my knees. The only reason I don’t say no is because I know I’d rather crawl on my knees for the rest of my life with Vice than stand beside Aldo for a single second.
Still, I hesitate. I don’t think for a moment that my saving his life will make him treat me well. I’ll be nothing more than a pet, a passing amusement until he gets bored. But even if that’s the case, it will buy me some time to figure out my next move. Right now, I have no more plays to make.
“When?”
“I’ll let you know when I have everything in place.”
I open my mouth to tell him not to bother but shut it again. The knowledge that this is my only chance seeps into my veins, zapping all my energy. I’m under no illusions that this will be a happy, fulfilling marriage, but it has to be better than what lies ahead for me with Aldo.
I stare into his onyx eyes, the deep, dark pools threatening to pull me under, before I look away, breaking the connection. I sendup a silent prayer that I’m not making the biggest mistake of my life and nod. “Okay, Vice. I’ll marry you.”
I almost tell him not to make me regret it, but I stop myself. I regret it already. The only question now is, will we both make it out alive?
Chapter 14
Vice
Istare out the window, watching my father talk to hisconsigliere, Tony, as he waits for the driver to bring his car around.
To say my father was pissed over Dano’s death would be an understatement. No matter what the man said about us being equals, behind closed doors, Dano was always the favorite son, while I was just the practice shot.
That, and he’s scared of me. He tries to hide it, but he’s not nearly as good at it as he believes. Now he’s questioning if stepping back and retiring is the best move. In his eyes, I’ll never be more than the troubled kid who eventually snapped. A kid he had no problem using when he needed to.
They both look back at the house, obviously talking about me, but they have no idea I’m up here watching them. I get a sick sense of satisfaction watching my father rub his hand over his face. The man looks exhausted, and I couldn’t give two fucks. Does that make me heartless? Maybe, but I can’t help but remember the lackof surprise in his eyes when I told him what Dano had been up to. He might have denied knowing, but I find it hard to believe anything gets past my father without his stamp of approval. I’d bet what’s left of my soul that he’s cleaned up a mess or two to protect Dano when he should have put him down, son or not.
I watch as the black car pulls up and Tony climbs in, then drives away. My father stands there for a moment before turning and facing the house, a look of dread on his face, before he straightens and walks inside. I pour myself a whiskey and sit in the chair opposite his desk, waiting for him to appear.
It takes him a few minutes, but I hear him shuffling into the room.
“What are you doing in here?”
I turn to look at him over my shoulder. “Waiting for you.”
“I have things to do, Vice, like arrange your brother’s funeral service. I don’t have time for your shit.”
I slam the glass of whiskey down as he sits in his oversized chair. I stand up and lean over the desk, towering over him. “You forget who you’re talking to,” I remind him quietly.
“I’m your fucking don,” he yells back.
I cock my head. “For now, maybe, but I’m not sure you’re strong enough to keep leading this family.”
He reaches out to grab my throat, but I grab his wrist and shove it down on the desk before picking up the letter opener and stabbing it into the back of his hand. He cries out, his eyes full of anger and fear.
“You might have been a good don once upon a time, but times have changed, and you’ve been making some stupid decisions lately. If you don’t retire, someone will come and take you out, seeing you as an easy target. Then your legacy will goup in flames, right along with you. Everything you’ve achieved—gone. Leaving behind only whispers about a bitter old man and Dano’s fall from grace.”
“And I suppose you can do better.”
“I can’t do any worse.” I smirk, yanking the letter opener from his hand and tossing a handkerchief at him. “I’m strong enough to hold our territory. People will listen to me out of fear of what I’ll do to them and their families. I’ve earned a reputation. But while I might be vicious, I’m not unfair. What I can tell you is I sure as fuck won’t be getting involved in human trafficking. I don’t give a fuck what the other families do,” I spit before he can respond.
“Selling people is fucked up enough, but kids? Do you want to know what we did to people in prison who messed with kids?”
“I had no part of that.”
“But you knew what kind of man Dano was, didn’t you? I have an excuse. I’ve been gone for ten years. But you… You’ve been right here watching. Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me I’m fucking wrong,” I shout, reaching for his tie and pulling him to me.
He swallows, but he says nothing.
“You’ll step down and name me as your successor, because if you don’t, I’ll kill you myself and anyone you’ve ever crossed paths with. I’ll make it so nobody remembers your name, legacy be damned.”
