Page 55 of Luca

Tomasso’s gravelly voice shuts everyone up. “It’s true. Constantine killed Elio. When he disappeared, Francesco confided in me, and I was the bearer of many of his secrets for years after. I helped him stage Elio and Ciara’s body in his car to make it look like an Irish hit. That’s the story we wanted everyone to believe anyway.”

“My father knew Cataldi was responsible for his sister-in-law's death but couldn’t prove it. No one knew what happened to Luca until he reached out after Constantine’s death,” Finn explains.

It’s strange hearing Frank being referred to as Constantine. Constantine was the man who murdered my parents, Frank was my father. Yet they’re the same person.

“Francesco has been responsible for too many deaths within the organization. I didn’t know just how many until Constantine was gone and he needed someone else to help with his dirty work. That person was me,” Tomasso informs the room. The other capos look on in astonishment, especially Salvatore, as Tomasso continues. “Francesco was a paranoid dictator. He preached unity and collaboration in the organization, but it was all talk. If he suspected another man of scheming against him in any way, he took him out without any sort of discussion. He suspected his wife was going to leave him and had her killed as well. Paid off the investigator to say it was her brakes. There was an accident, but what killed her was the bullet to the head.”

Holy. Shit.

Giada’s father killed her mother.

I look around the room. Some of the men are horrified with the news and others don’t seem to care. Guess they subscribe to the belief that what a man does to his wife is his business and no one else’s.

“How the hell did you come to work for Francesco then?” Leandro asks me.

“Francesco killed my parents. I wanted revenge. Simple as that. Finn wanted power over Boston, and together, we planned to take Francesco out.”

Leandro looks at me with disgust pouring from his gaze. “Jesus Christ. You were a mole for the Irish this whole time.”

“You can call my cousin names and detest him all you want. But it doesn’t change the situation we’re in now.” Finn gives every capo in the room a hard stare. “Carlo was going to use his sister to gain power since he couldn’t find the support he needed.” To my recollection, Dario was the only capo who agreed to meet with Carlo. “He offered her in marriage to the Russians. They want a foothold in Massachusetts and Carlo wants to regain control of Boston. That’s who you're dealing with, gentlemen. A man who would gladly allow those Russian bastards into your territory and give them a piece of your pie.”

The jaw of every capo clenches when they realize what Carlo is really up to.

“That’s who’s been helping him?” Salvatore asks.

“Yes, but I’ve seen to it that there’s no longer a reason for the Russians to help Carlo.”

“How’s that?” Leandro asks.

A small grin spreads across my mouth. “I married Giada instead.”

Shocked silence fills the room, but Finn doesn’t allow it to linger. “Giada is protected by my family now. The Russians can’t get to her, and Carlo doesn’t have another ace up his sleeve.”

“What about Farina? He knows what you did to his son. He probably hates you more than Carlo at this point.”

“Orlando got what was coming to him and his father knows that. If he tries to help Carlo, he knows exactly what I’m capable of. Orlando already tried and failed. I doubt his father is going to risk it.” Finn looks around the room. “Same goes for any man sitting here. If you try to give Carlo any assistance in any way, Orlando won’t be the only Italian I put to ground in this war. My issue is with Carlo and Carlo alone. I’ll make this offer one time only. You can keep your territory and your businesses. Instead of paying dues to Carlo, they’ll be paid to me and Mario. The Cataldi organization will be absorbed by our family. And if anyone thinks Farina is going to help them, think again. Partnering with him means you’re signing your death warrant. There will be no second chances.”

“You got a lot of fucking nerve coming in here and threatening us,” Salvatore grits out.

“I do. And I have the means to back it up. Do you?” The challenging glare Finn sends Salvatore doesn’t waver for a second. It’s the first time I’ve seen my cousin as the Irish mob boss. Makes me fucking glad as hell we’re on the same side.

Dario and Salvatore glance at each other, obviously not taking kindly to being challenged by Finn. Leandro and Tomasso are less angry, resignation playing over their features.

“I’m too old for a war. I want to enjoy what I have while I’m still alive and not fight for scraps. And I sure as hell won’t work under Carlo. I accept your offer, Finn,” Tomasso says.

Leandro agrees, and the other two capos, Donny and Cesare, who’ve stayed pretty quiet during the meeting, nod their heads. There's only Dario and Salvatore left.

Seeing as there’s no support from the rest of the men, they begrudgingly agree as well.

Finn and Mario shake hands with the men, but they aren’t particularly thrilled with my presence. It’s no surprise. I was a mole for their enemy up until two days ago. When the men leave, it’s me, Finn and Mario left in the room.

“You good, cousin?”

I nod and blow out a breath. “Yeah. Shocked as hell that Francesco killed his wife, though.”

Mario shakes his head. “That man is a piece of shit.” From what Finn has told me about Mario Amatto, he holds his wife and daughter’s safety and well-being in the highest regard. Not common whatsoever in this life.

“Giada is going to be devastated,” I say.

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