Page 38 of Vicious Heir

I turn to Vittorio. “I want Gray Wolf men. Two of them if you can. I want them in my basement by tomorrow night. I have questions.”

“That I can do.” Vittorio stands languidly and stretches. “How healthy do you need them?”

“Feel free to soften them up first.”

Vittorio lazily salutes and walks out after Marco.

Frank studies me. He puffs on his cigar, one hand on his thick belly. “You know, this is the sort of situation the Don should be aware of.” His eyebrows raise. “Where is your father, Adriano?”

I meet his gaze. “The Don isn’t feeling well.”

“Must be pretty bad if he missed his own son’s wedding.” Frank chews the end of his cigar.

Bianca glances at me. “Papa’s just recovering from a procedure?—”

“Cut the shit,” Frank says, sounding exhausted. “Are we really still doing this dance? Nobody believes it anymore.”

I hold Frank’s gaze. I feel the danger in this moment. Right now, I’m at my weakest, and if Frank or anyone else in the Famiglia wants to rise up to take power for themselves, that car bombing was the perfect cover.

“The Don will be happy to see you when he’s feeling better,” I say coldly. “Or is that not good enough for you, Salvatore?”

He grunts and shakes his head. “Say what you will, but we all know you’re the real power here. I’m on your side, Adriano. I’m too fucking old for a coup and way too lazy to run this whole damn show. Your monkeys, your fucking circus.”

I don’t fully believe him, but I nod as if I do. “I appreciate that.”

“But I want to see my friend.” Frank’s gaze is hard. “How bad is he, really?”

“He’s sick,” Bianca says. “He wouldn’t want you to see it.”

“Che peccato… I’ll light a candle for him tonight.Che Dio l’aiuti. Life is too short. Your father was a good man.”

“He’s still a good man,” I say and slump into a chair. “I need you on the family, Frank. If you’re on my side, then prove it. Make sure everyone’s on the same page here. Gray Wolf is the enemy.”

“That’ll be easy. Half the fucking morons on the street are slobbering for revenge. The bastards bombed your damn wedding. You might not be the Don yet, but they all know who the real power is.”

“Keep an eye on Vittorio for me too.”

“You don’t trust him?”

“I don’t trust anyone. Including you.”

Frank laughs and pushes himself to his feet. “Heavy is the crown,” he mutters as he stubs out his cigar. He gives Bianca a kiss on the cheek. “Good luck with this one.”

He leaves me alone with my sister. She gives me a look as she fixes herself a drink. “What a mess.”

“No kidding.”

“Cleanup is going to be a nightmare.”

“And it’s not over.” I give her a meaningful look. “How’s my wife?”

“You should go check on her.”

“I have too much work to do right now.”

Bianca nods slightly and looks like she wants to argue, but she holds her tongue for once. Instead, she heads out, promising to peek in at Lucy for me.

I stay in my office. The phone starts ringing, and soon the calls come in like a flood. I spend my wedding night chained to my fucking desk, preparing for blood.

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