Page 12 of The Runaway Bride

The room erupts with gunfire andfighting. I’m knocked down with Tiny standing over me. I push that littlefucker over and take my own weapon out, stand and shoot Mario Bianchi, who Inotice squirreling his way towards where we are standing.

Silvio is killing any soldiersthat come through the door that he knows have intent against the family, mainlythey are Lorenzo, and Enrico Marchese’s, the latter I notice is propped againstthe wall with a dagger in his gut, one in his shoulder and one in his neck.Yeah, he’ll not be getting up from that…

It really doesn’t take that longto get the warehouse under control. I turn to Bruno. “Take out any that arefollowers of the Capos we killed and let's get this meeting back to order.”

I take a seat at the table again,and watch everyone drag out bodies, clean the mess and return, ready for themeeting to continue. Once everyone is calmly waiting, I turn to Silvio DiMarco.“Silvio, how come you didn’t follow through?”

“Oh, I followed through, Boss. Mywhole intent was to find out what was happening, with who, and when. You calledthe meeting before I could report all my findings, but you’ll see them all in afile addressed to you in my safe.” Silvio takes his phone from his jacketpocket and makes a call. We all hear him clearly asking someone to bring thefolder withMr. Vincholettiwritten on the file immediately.

“While we wait, let me sort out afew things. Bruno, you will be the Underboss, and don’t fuck with me. This youwill do.” Bruno nods, holds his fist over his heart and takes a knee, showingall in the room he is subservient to me, and honors my order as the Boss.

Once Bruno has risen and taken astand on my left, I turn to Aeron. “Aeron, you will be promoted to Consigliere,and you will work alongside myself and Bruno.”

“I’m honored, Boss.” Aeron alsotakes the knee and covers his heart with a fist.

“Luigi, Philip, Alex, and Andre,you will all be promoted to Capo. I will give you your territory and orderstomorrow. The rest of you will report to me in the next two weeks. I want afull report of your territory and I will make up my mind as to if you keep yourterritory or not. You will all take a knee now, or you show you want to leavethe family. But know there is only one way to leave the family, and that’s in acoffin.” I snarl the last because I’m sick of this night, and I’ll be happy toget to the mansion.

The room takes a knee and I haveto admit not one wavered. They all did it with ease and honor. Before theystand a soldier enters the warehouse carrying a file and walks to Silvio who isstill on his knee. I hear Silvio tell the soldier to hand me the file, which hedoes quickly and gives me a nod before also taking a knee.

“I will look at this tomorrow,Silvio, and you will need to come to my office where we’ll have a long conversation.”

“Yes, Boss,” Silvio replies,giving me a nod as he does so.

I watch as Bruno dismisseseveryone, and I turn to speak to Tiny, but snarl when I see blood dripping downhis arm. “What the fuck, Tiny, you’ve been hit.”

“It’s just a scratch, Boss.” Tinyrolls his eyes and I give him a snarl as I stand. “It’s really okay, Boss.”

“Aeron, make sure this asshole istreated. He’s not dying on me. He may need to take a bullet another day.” Igrin at Tiny, who shakes his head, rolling his eyes once more. That’s hissignature move, I’m sure, and one I always ignore.

Back at the mansion, I take a sipof the whisky in my glass and can’t help but think that time will tell if wehave another uprising, or for now, peace reigns within the family.

Chapter 8

Elli

Tia is talking a mile-a-minuteand I can’t stop myself from smiling. If I had to choose a sister, I would havechosen one like Tia. She is sensitive, caring, brave and a little reckless,which I have to admit, the last is one of my own personality traits.

I scan our surroundings as wewalk because I’m sure someone is watching and even following me. “Tia, don’tlook around, but I think I’m being followed.” I tell her about the incidentwith the three men, and can see her grit her teeth and fist her hands. “Staycalm. But I need you to pack a backpack if you want to run when I do. It maynot come to it, but if it does, I’ll need you to be ready.”

“I’ll get it done tonight, Elli.I don’t want you running on your own. I’ve got a meeting with Spinner afteryour hair appointment. Then we’ll have a weapon in case we need to protectourselves. I may not have the training you have, Elli, but I can do some damageif needed.” Tia gives me a look that shows how determined she is to stick withme, and to protect us both if it comes down to the line.

My phone rings and seeing it'sAlex calling, I frown. I only spoke to him recently. Stopping walking, I stepbetween two shops and nod at Tia to wait. “Alex, what’s wrong?”

“The Don had a meeting with hisUnderboss, Consigliere, Capos, various soldiers and associates. Father had aplan to take down the Don along with other Capos, but the plot came to lightand when Father made his move he was taken out, and rightly so.” Alex doesn’thold back; he tells me the truth as he always has.

I take a deep breath beforeresponding, “Alex, I’m okay with him being taken down. He was a disgusting man,father, and made man. I’m only surprised it took so long for his sins to catchup with him.”

Alex chuckles, “You replied justas I thought you would. As long as you are okay with it because the Don isstill wanting to take you as his bride, and you know you’d make one hell of afantastic Don’s wife.”

“I’m not ready to be anyone’swife yet, so if that’s what he wants, he’ll have to wait a long time. So,changing the subject, how is Mother?”

“No idea. I have not been to thehouse. I’m not interested. She is as bad as Father in my opinion. She stood byand watched him beat me, and control you when he felt you didn’t conform. Butshe did nothing to help either of us, and that’s part of what is wrong with theFamigliaat this time. The Don, however, is making changes, and has madechanges, but he needs a wife that can see and oversee issues he cannot.”Sighing, Alex drops his voice. “Be watchful for Mother appearing. She may blameus for Father's death. She’ll be dangerous now, as she’ll want revenge. You arein a more vulnerable position than I am, and Elli, I’ve been made Capo. I haveto attend a meeting with the Don, but he has promoted me.”

“Oh, Alex, you’ll make afantastic Capo. I am so happy for you, and maybe we can persuade the Don to letme come live with you instead of being his wife?”

Alex laughs. “Sorry, you have nochance. He’s going to come for you when he has this mess sorted out. When heeventually catches you, give him hell.”

Now, I can’t help but giggle atAlex’s playfulness. It reminds me of when we were children and he encouraged meto play pranks on the staff.

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