Page 391 of Niccolo

I laughed and shook my head. “No, I’m retired from theconsiglieregame.”

Niccolo looked at me in shock. “What?! You can’t!”

“Yeah,” Adriano said sarcastically to his brother, “‘cause I’msosureyou’d be willing to share the job with somebody else.”

“Why are you making trouble on my wedding day?” Niccolo asked, annoyed.

“Just telling the truth,” Adriano said with a grin.

“I was thinking more of being aconsultant,” I said. “Whenever I was needed.”

Niccolo reached out to grab my hand under the table. “Then you’re going to be working every day.”

“Awwwww,” all the young women at the table said at the same time, while most of the men grinned.

One exception was the Widow.

“Come see me after the honeymoon wears off,” she joked.

At least, I think it was a joke.

All the brothers got up and gave a toast – very nice ones. Even Valentino was kind, although he kidded Niccolo relentlessly.

“Here’s my wedding gift toyou,Nic: I promise I’ll stop giving you shit about Sicily for a month.”

“For a wholemonth,”Niccolo said, feigning being impressed.

“I’m a generous guy,” Valentino grinned.

“If you can actually pull it off, that’ll be the nicest thing you ever did for me,” Niccolo deadpanned.

Valentino winced like he was in pain. “Oh, man…”

“You thought of something really good to say, didn’t you?” Niccolo asked, nodding.

“Yeah,” Valentino grinned. “Can I say it andthenwe start?”

“No, fucker – you already promised!” Niccolo shouted, and all the brothers laughed and shouted at Valentino to sit down.

Niccolo looked over at Dario and said, “Actually, I’d like to ask for a special gift from our Don… and from all of my brothers.”

“Uh-oh,” Roberto said.

“He wants to be dictator for a day,” Adriano laughed.

“No, I’m very happy asconsigliere,”Niccolo said. “But I would like you to take my request seriously.”

“What is it?” Dario asked with a smile.

“I’ve had a bit of friction with most of you at one point or another over the last six months,” Niccolo began, to some playful jeering.

NO!

Really?!

“Some more than others,” Niccolo said as he glanced over at Valentino. “Got anything to say, Val?”

“You’re killin’ me here, Nic,” Valentino said as the other brothers laughed.

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