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“Yes.” But that didn’t stop him from continuing his story.
“I started with wallets then I realized that if I take suitcases from the tourists and sell their clothes, instead of picking their pockets for change, I can make so much more. Sixteen.” He sighed deeply. “I haven’t had a moment of peace since then. I’ve worked like a dog to build you an empire – theFioriempire.”
“And you did.”
“Yes. Now, I know the man that you are and I know theDonthat you’ll be, son. You don’t need me to lead, but I still worry. Ourfamigliais as much my child as you are.” Correction, thefamigliawas much more. If anything, it was his favorite child. “You’re still set on buying that new venture?”
“Yes.”
“What is it again?”
“A power-plant.”
“What’s wrong with the good old fashion business?”
“Nothing. Actually, we’re waiting for a shipment from Tajikistan to arrive in a couple of weeks. Rocket launchers, military grade.”
“Where are you sending them?”
“Namibia. The rebellion is paying us good money for it as long as we can secure transportation and we can. My guys are ready. Every coast guard agent from here to the African coast has been paid off. We’re in the clear.” I ruffled my hair frustrated that we were having this discussion for the third time. “I told you, I’ll make you proud, but power-plants don’t just go on the market, Father. This buy is an opportunity.”
“You pulled some strings?”
“Everyone who’s anyone in this country got a bag of money as a present.”
“Is it really worth it?”
“Yes. We’re talking about millions of euros in profit every year.”
“We already make millions.”
“For now we do. Father, the world has changed since you were picking pockets in Brancaccio. We can’t just hide our cash in the basement anymore and hope thecarabinieriwon’t find it. The best thing about this power-plant is that it’s above board. Pietro has put together the best legal team in Europe to take care of it.”
“So what’s your plan, son?”
“The restaurants we own can only clean so much money, but this power-plant? This will put all my accounts on the right side of the law.”
Father sat back and then I saw his smile. A rare sight.
“I never doubted you because you’re my son, but I can die in peace now. You’ll do good by our name.”
“Right.” I was the only one he had to carry his legacy. The only son. TheDon. I knew that since I was a kid and he started grooming me for the job. I was raised to finish whatever my father had started, but there was one thing that I intended to do differently.
“Father?”
“Yes, son.”
“I ran into someone tonight while I was out.” I paused and he waited. “Grazia Caputo.”
He stopped – stopped moving, stopped blinking, he even stopped breathing for a long second. The name Caputo has not been spoken in this house for years.
“Salvatore, she’s your past.”And present and future.
“Father…”
“Fabiano Caputo is poison.” He raised his voice. “And so are his spawns.”
“Don’t,” I told him through my teeth, “talk about her like that.Never.”
