Page 58 of Ruthless Reign

“And what about you?” I raised an eyebrow at Chesco. “Anyone make it more than one night?”

He laughed and shook his head. “I’m not the warm and fuzzy type.”

We caught up on the rest of the family, and I asked about our other cousins, feeling a sentimental weight shift in my heart at how distant I’d become in only a few months. I missed them, and to be so suddenly shut off from the safety of the Caputis made me twinge with sadness. I hoped this plan worked. I hoped I could be back with them as soon as possible.

Eventually, Della excused herself to the bathroom, and I took my opportunity to ask Chesco about his father.

“Have you heard about our plan?” I asked, assuming his father had already spoken to him about it.

Chesco sighed and leaned back in his seat, crossing his ankle over the other knee. “I have. And to be honest, Leo needs to be more careful. He’s lucky someone hasn’t already leaked it to Gabriella.”

I gulped. “Do you think he can do it?”

He licked his lips and ran a finger over his tattooed eyebrow. “I don’t know. This alliance with the Roses has garnered mixed reactions.”

“Go on.” It must have been met with the same combination of agreement and hesitation as the Roses, but I wanted to know more. This war had been going on for so long, everyone in my family had lost someone close because of it. The blood ran thick and heavy in the divide between us; not even marriage could patch that up.

“Uncle Sulli is gunning for a spot at the top,” Chesco said. “But he’s an old man, and no one wants to see him take over.”

“What about your father?” I asked. Of my father’s seven siblings, only three were still alive: Gia, Stefano, and Frankie, Chesco’s father. Gia had the most sway, but she had always hated Gabriella. She’d side with Leo in a heartbeat, and Stefano would do whatever his older sister decided. Frankie would be theholdout, but I hoped Chesco could convince him based on our relationship.

My cousin tsked his teeth and shook his head. “Is that what this reunion is about?”

“C’mon, Chesco,” I said. “You know me better than that. Of course, that’s what this is about.”

He laughed and clapped. “You sly little minx. What am I supposed to do with you?”

“Side with me, side with us,” I said. “It’s time we stop this war, and you know Leo can do that.”

“And what happens when he starts snorting pills again?” Chesco asked. “Or fucking his way through the families?”

“Is it enough to say we can cross that bridge when we come to it?” I said. “He’s been sober for almost a year, and I think having a purpose will give him direction.”

Chesco narrowed his eyes on me. “I agree the war needs to end. We’ve lost far too many loved ones, and our focus is better spent on expanding our business rather than fighting a gang of disgusting motorcycle enthusiasts.”

I bit back a chuckle, remembering how I’d said the same thing when I first met Roman. Now, I didn’t think of them like that anymore. My definition of family had shifted. And it wasn’t just about blood anymore. It was about life and friendship and happiness, and the Roses had that in spades.

“But I don’t see how we can do that without the rest of the families,” he explained.

It wasn’t just the Caputis that had control in DC, though they were the bosses in charge of all the others. The Morellis, the Romanos, and the Vitales would take more convincing. However, if we placed Leo in charge and poured a more solid foundation, how could they argue this hadn’t been the right thing to do? The infighting and the bloodshed would stop, andwe’d have a more stable regime. Peace meant prosperity for everyone.

“Your father is influential,” I said. “If he were to get on board, the others would surely follow.”

Chesco grimaced. “Getting him to do anything new is a testament to patience and manipulation.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you’re the master of that, huh?” I winked as I took another long sip of coffee.

“Oh, dear cousin”—he shook his head—“if I do this, you will owe me. Big time.”

“This is the path to end the war. You know that. Frankie knows that. How many more cousins are you prepared to lose because Gabriella can’t swallow her pride?”

He hummed.

“Then there’s the matter of Gabriella’s spy,” I continued.

“Yes, I know,” he said, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “I’ve had my feelers out, but I haven’t heard anything.”

“Someone snitched to Gabriella,” I said. “She set her men to beating me.”

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