Page 4 of The Runaway Bride

I’m sad to be running from home,but not sad I’m going to be avoiding this marriage. If Nico Vincholetti thinksI’m a weak-willed woman, he will be thinking again soon. My brother has taughtme to fight, fire a weapon and, if needed, stab someone in vital places.

Shit, I forgot my gun, and myknife! That will have to be something I do as a priority… arm myself, because Iknow that as a mafia family, we have enemies.

Chapter 3

Nico

Luigi is sitting at one end of myoffice, working on his laptop. He’s one of my right-hand men, along with Aeron,Philip and Andre. All four of them watch the movements from my Underboss to anyreports on soldiers or associates.

Philip is well known to bevicious in his dealings with anyone not true to the family. It has not beenunknown that he will torture a woman if needed. I cannot say that I’ve not beenas bad in my dealings because I have, and would do so again if it meant keepingmy men safe.

Only myself and Luigi are in theoffice right now. Tiny I sent off to get something to eat and get out fromunder my feet. He’s a hell of a bodyguard, but I get sick of people around meall the time, just needing some space to breathe.

“Luigi, I want you to put men onwatching Varina’s father. I have a bad feeling about him. I’m sure her deathwasn’t all it seemed, and I’ve had this.” I hand him a note that had beendelivered to one of the businesses by an unknown woman, and the soldier broughtit to Philip’s attention as he was in attendance at the business at the time.

To whomever this may concerns:

I was a friend of Varina andalthough she didn’t want to get married, knowing that she had no option but todo as her parents asked. She was, however, doing whatever she could to find apeaceful ‘out’.

She would not, and I’mconvinced did not, commit suicide as some suggest. Someone ran her off the roadas she had proof of a wrong-doing that she was going to bring to the notice ofMr. Nico Vincholetti.

I have a copy of that proof.No one but Varina and myself know I have this, and if Mr. Vincholetti wants tosee it, he needs to meet me at 1:00 pm at the church with the spire on Saturday25thof this month.

Unknown but honest, andreliable friend of Varina.

P.S. Do not allow her parentsto know of this or my life could be in danger.

“Philip brought the letter to me.He is looking into it at this time. But I want you to find out who this womanis and keep her safe as I want to speak to her. Bring her here and if we needto, we can keep her under cover until we have this issue with Varina’s fatherlooked at.”

Luigi stands, takes the letterfrom me, reads it and gives me a nod as he hands it back. “I’ll check the CCTVand get eyes on who she is, find her and bring her in. I never liked TerizoGambolini, and Varina deserved better parents. I’ll get Andre to dig into whatthat fuck has been doing behind our backs.”

Watching as Luigi walks out of myoffice I know he is going to find this woman. He’s not one for wasting timeeither, so I can expect a result quickly.

Taking a seat once more behind mydesk, I make the decision to get my eyes and ears reporting on what ishappening with the Capos I put into place when I took over the family. So far,none have reported foul play, but you never know if they have been converted bythe Capo they are watching.

I divided the whole territoryinto smaller territories when I took over the family, creating larger areas,but more Capos to keep my eye on. Enzo Rossi and Antonio Conti are from oldfamilies that have been within thefamigliafor generations. They areboth reliable, I am sure. Both quickly gave me their allegiance, and as we haveknown each other since childhood, I’m sure I don’t have to worry about them.The third is Terizo, and he was selected to show the older generation I had noissue with them, and that I still see them as reliable and trustworthy. Now,I’m not sure that is the case, but if I find anyone doing anything theyshouldn’t, they will be made an example of. I have no issues with any of myother Capos, but I’m watching them all none-the-less.

Aeron, Luigi and Philip I knowwill do whatever is needed. They are worth more than my Capos to me, but one isgoing to have to step up as underboss when I remove Lorenzo Palmeri, and hewill be removed. I have no doubt in my mind about that.

Terizo Gambolini will be gonetoo, probably in the same place as Lorenzo. Maybe we can send them on their waytogether. I can’t hold back the grin when I think about it.

The office door opens and Aeronwalks inside. Now, he has a look on his face that I only see when he is morethan a little pissed. I know Aeron well enough to let him spill what’s eatingat him when he’s ready.

“That motherfucker! He’s beatenthe shit out of Alexander. It’s time, Boss, to take out some trash. I know youhave been thinking about it but I know Alexander, and he is loyal to you andthefamiglia. The only thing he is more protective of is his sister.This has to be about Elliana.”

“Explain!”

Aeron throws himself into an easychair near the area I keep a row of bookshelves, which also hides a safe andsafe room. “Nico, you know you were more than fair with all the men you placedin top positions within the family. This is biting the hand that feeds you.Alexander is the next Underboss if he replaces Lorenzo.”

“No, he won’t be replacing hisfather. I’m going to split the family and have two more Capos. I want to handover the area I’m overseeing to Alexander if he is up to the task. I want himbrought here so I can speak to him privately about his father and sister.”

Standing and heading to the door,Aeron turns and smirks, “You know the ladies don’t seem to like you, they allrun for the hills a…”

Whatever he was going to saystops when I throw the paperweight at him from my desk. He slams the doorbehind him, but I can hear him laughing as he walks away.

Rubbing my thumb along my chin, Ilook out of the window, and consider how many I’m going to remove from thefamily. I have had no problems with any soldiers as yet, and our associatesknow not to fuck with me as they won’t like what happens if they do.

My phone ringing on the desk hasme walking over to pick it up. Seeing it’s Philip, I take the call. “Yeah, whatyou got?”

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