Page 14 of The Runaway Bride

I hand Tia a glass of cheap boxwine I had in the fridge and wait for her to chill down a little. Then start therun through of how to dismantle the weapons. Once she has that I teach her toassemble them. I have her do this over and over until she can nearly do it withher eyes closed.

Looking at the time, I sigh. It’snearly midnight and I’m exhausted and I can see from Tia’s face she is too.“You want to stay here tonight? We can just throw ourselves onto the bed andsleep.”

“No, I’ll go home. I need ashower and I’m up for work in the morning. But I’ll be over tomorrow and we’lldo this all over again.” Tia grimaces before she hugs me and heads out thefront door, leaving me to lock up and head to the shower myself.

Chapter 9

Nico

This morning I’m holding ameeting in the conference room at my main office. The sign outside states thatthe realtor’s office is holding a sale day. It’s a ruse, of course, to coverthe fact so many vehicles and men will enter the building.

We cover all bases and haveposters around the building giving false information. If we are raided all thecops will find are sales posters, pamphlets, and fake business cards.

All weapons are to be left in thefalse floors of the Escalades or other vehicles the Capos arrive in. We cannotafford anyone to be frisked and caught with anything illegal.

Unknown to all but my mosttrusted are the false walls where our stash of weapons is held. Just in case,of course. We have a false back in the cabinets, and we can even pull out thewater cooler to slide open a recess where knives are kept.

I would love to hold thesemeetings at the mansion office, but it would attract far too much attention.Keeping the home office and work office, which I consider my main officeseparate, is the best way to keep the mansion and its staff safe.

Bruno takes a seat on one side ofme at the conference table. I’ve been speaking with him since the early hoursof the morning. He’s always been up on what I am doing and why, because I neverworked with Lorenzo, even though he was the Underboss. I didn’t trust him, andit was only a matter of time before he was replaced or removed permanently, andI didn’t care how that was done.

“Aeron has been up all throughoutthe night, working on the aspects of each area. As the new Consigliere, hewants to be able to advise you correctly if it’s needed. He did tell me hewould never challenge you for your position,” Bruno laughs and I can see whathe’s going to say next has amused him greatly. “He said that it was a shit of ajob being the boss and you could keep it until you have an heir you can hand itto. He’s good at having your back.”

“I never worried that Aeron wouldchallenge me for my position. He’s not that kind of man, or friend. He’s like abrother to me, the same as Luigi, Philip and Andre. You, however, could havebeen a blood brother in another life. We are so alike in our thoughts andmanner that I often wonder if my father had sired you without us knowing.”

“No, I knew my parents, Nico. Myfather was a made man, a soldier for the old Don. He died in a shoot-out and mymother took me back to her hometown. When I was sixteen, I left, and that’swhen I became a made man myself, and met this little shit of a boy who turnedout to be the best friend and non-blood brother I could have wished for.” Brunoturns and slaps my shoulder, letting me know he means me, but he didn’t have toas I knew it.

“Well, I was two years youngerthan you, and was just getting on my feet. I’d already killed my first andprobably fifth man at that time.” I remember those first kills. They were notas clean as they could have been. But when you are learning thedeath trade,you sadly make some suffer.

“Let’s not be morbid. We havethis meeting soon. Do you have everything clear in your mind?”

“Yes, I know where I am placingthe Capos.”

Gail steps into the conferenceroom and holds the door open for the Capos that have arrived. Silvio DiMarco isthe first, and he clearly says, “Don,” as he gives me a small head dip to showhis respect.

“You wait at the end of themeeting, Silvio. I want to go through the file with you once everything else isdone and the others have left.”

“Yes, Boss,” Silvio responds,referring to me now as Boss as his initial greeting has passed. Then takes aseat halfway down the table, settling into his seat quietly and calmly.

Terizo, Andre, Luigi, Philip andAlex Palmeri step into the room, give me a ‘Boss,’ word of greeting as theytake a seat. It’s not long before Enzo Rossi, Antonio Conti, and the rest ofthe Capos arrive.

“Okay, I am not going to wastetime. You know that Lorenzo Palmeri, Enrico Marchese,and Mario Bianchi are all dead, along with their most trusted men.”Everyone in the room nods, and mumbles, and I have already given Philip thethumbs up to take anyone out if needed, even during this meeting. “LorenzoPalmeri’s position as Underboss has gone to Bruno Floro, and you all know hehas been my Consigliere for a long time, so I know, and you all know, he’s theideal choice. Does anyone have anything to say regarding Bruno’s promotion?”

Silvio, Alex, and Enzo Rossi allquickly congratulate Bruno, and I notice only Terizo Gambolini says nothing.He’s going to get buried. I’m positive about that, as my gut is screaming at meto be rid of him.

“Aeron Sava is promoted toConsigliere. I won’t have any complaints from this point on about any positionsI allocate. If you have a problem, you speak to me after the meeting, and letme lay it out to you, that if the problem is not a legitimate one you will beanswerable.” Saying that I notice again Terizo remains stoic. But again,congratulations are given to Aeron by everyone else.

“Philip Murano, you will step upas Capo of the East side, taking the area that has been neglected. You willneed to work alongside Bruno and Aeron to create what is needed in thatterritory. Report to me every week on your findings and progress. I also willallocate soldiers to you, and if you have any preferences, you need to sayafter the meeting.” I look over at Philip and I know he didn’t want to be aCapo, but he is going to make a first-class one, no matter how he feels aboutit.

Philip keeps his staunchlystraight face as he gives me a slight nod of the head as he replies, “Yes,boss.”

“Enzo, you have spoken to meregarding your territory and the expansion we’ve made over the last years. I’vetaken into consideration what you’ve asked of me, and I agree we need to splityour territory. I’ll give you the new boundary during the week.”

Enzo quickly nods along with aslight smile, “Thank you, boss.” I think everyone in the room can see therelief on his face.

“Now, the split of Enzo’sterritory is going to Alex Palmeri. You need to take all the advice you canfrom Enzo, Alex. He will not lead you wrong. Enzo has run a tight ship, but thegrowth of the territory requires more than one man can control. You will workalongside Aeron, who will guide you as well.” Turning I look at Alex for hisreaction.

“Thank you, Boss. I will do all Ican to learn from Mr. Rossi and Mr. Sava,” Alex replies while giving said men asmall nod.

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