Page 2 of The Crowned Garza
Truth is, I don’t care about the Lucianis. I want to rise in the Rossetti empire. Keep learning from Uncle. Be close to Mamma. When I became a made man, I did everything to ensure that fact didn’t reach Papa’s ears. He had sent me away because he deemed me weak, useless, a disappointment. As long as he continued to hold that perception of me, he wouldn’t want me around him, and that’s whatIwanted.
“You have earned a reputation for yourself. It was bound to get out,” Uncle says. “Do you know what they secretly call you?”
I arch a brow. “There’s a secret name for me now?”
“Cross Slasher,” he replies. “No one trusts getting too close to you. Not when they know how quick you are with your knives.”
How original.“My fault then. Thought I was being careful.”
“You were,” he assures. “But eyes see and lips speak. Things get out.” He takes a swig of his water. “Look, your plane will be here tomorrow afternoon. I do not care about the Luciani Family, but I care about you. Do you still have that business folder outlining all the things you would do differently if and when you were called back? You have not mentioned it in a while.”
Haven’t mentioned it because my focus has shifted to proving myselfhere. “I do.”
“Dust it off,” he says with a nod. “You have asked me before where my power comes from. How I am able to do all that I do, know all I know, make things happen. While I cannot provide detailed answers without the risk of immediate assassination, Icangive you a gentle push toward getting those answers yourself.” He steeples his fingers. “What whispers have you heard about Arturo Conti?”
“That he’s a kingmaker,” I reply. “That he has the power to make or break. Give power, take power. That him making you a crime head means to be untouchable.”
Uncle nods. “The correct term for kingmaker is ‘Anointed.’ Chosen by the most powerful organization in the world, an Anointed is virtually invincible. But ‘heavy is the head,’ and every Anointed eventually needs a Crown.”
“Meaning?”
“A Crown is an extension of the Anointed. A loyalist. Someone more capable than the Anointed. Someone they trust implicitly and heavily to rely on. The Crown is there to support the head, not weigh it down. When the Anointed is indisposed, the Crown steps in and thinks, acts, delivers, and judges just as—or better than—the Anointed would. The Crown knows the Anointed inside out and thinks ahead of them.” He looks down at a crested gold ring on his index finger. “All privileges of the Anointed extend to the Crown. Not quite as invincible but still receives a high level of protection.”
Sounds hokey, but the truest truths usually do. Learned a long time ago that the crazier something sounds, the more authentic it is.
Regarding my uncle, I brush my thumb along the edge of my bow tie. “You’re a Crown.”
A mere kick of an eyebrow is all I get in response. But I know him inside out. Enough that I could behisCrown.I’m right.
“You have more Rossetti blood in you than Luciani,” he says. “Every bit of your mad genius comes from this bloodline. You have the focus, the wit, the acuity, and the dedication to get you to the top of any pyramid.” He leans forward, forearms on his knees. “When you get to the States,thatis what I want you to do. Climb. Your papa is like a cockroach, so I am positive he will recover from this illness. But while you are operating in his stead, do what you must to iron out that Outfit. Find the thorns among the vines and rip them out without mercy.
“Then, once Franco is well and back at the helm, there is someone you should find. He does not know it yet, but he will be chosen as an Anointed. He recently registered a business license for a private investigation company. I will let you know when it is up and running. Apply for a job there and do whatever you must to ingratiate yourself with him. Make yourself indispensable. Irreplaceable. Earn his trust. Let himneedyou.”
I tug at my collar, uncomfortable with this. “Uncle, I’m good at most things. There’s not much I can’t do if I set out to do it. But...you know me. Kissing ass? I fail every time before I can even try.”
Uncle snorts. “I know, son. But the strongest, most powerful people I know are those who understand the game and the art of humility. Sometimes you have to stoop low to soar high.”
There’s still a big difference between being humble and being a lickspittle spaniel. “And I’ll be doing this to…hopefully become his Crown?”
He seems irritated that I’m not enthused about this. “One of the plans in your business folder is to cut ties between the cartel and the Families, yes? We knowLa Cosa Nostrain California is nothing like it used to be and there has been a mass exodus over the years. The Moretti Family is working to absorb all the pockets of Families left. They have strongly aligned themselves with the El Depravados cartel and plan to commandeer. The Luciani Family is still the largest and the strongest, so your papawillput up a fight, but with the El Depravados supporting the Morettis, it would only be a matter of time before he is swallowed up. The only way to prevent this dominance is to take the Luciani Family back to the top. As a Crown, you will have unimaginable power. You can makea lotof changes with that power. Reorder things however you please.”
Likehe did. We’re having one of the most peaceful reigns under Adamo Rossetti. He’s ruthless about weeding out thorns so rich fruits can grow. And he does it with ease, without wars and blowbacks.
Now I know how.
The Luciani Family has been in shambles for a while now. As much as I don’t care about the empire, if I can successfully achieve the plans I’ve thought about over the years, it would be rewarding.
I’ve spent the last decade studying Uncle, aspiring to be like him. Now I know there’s more to his strength and power. Hands behind the curtain. No amount of studying and aspiration would’ve gotten me to his level. There’s asource. And he’s showing me the path to that source.
“I trust your advice and guidance, Uncle,” I reply. “As hard as it will be for me to glue my lips to someone’s ass, I’ll do it.”
“Oh, you will be thanking me later,” he says. “Being a Crown also means, as you younglings say, ‘rich as fuck.’”
I can’t help laughing. Uncle is such a laser-focused, button-up wizard that any kind of common speech coming from him is hilarious.
“It is good to hear you laugh,” he says with a ghost of a smile. “You do it so rarely.”
I shrug.
