Page 17 of Reign Of Triumph
Giusto’s playing head games. He knows Marco is not going to change his mind, so he’s making things unbearable for Serafina and his family. This isn’t even to get back at me. It’s because he’s a small man, and he can physically overpower these women. He’s miserable; therefore, everyone around him must be miserable too.
The financial books are in a shambles. There’s more money being wasted on transport and customs than there should be. We pay off border guards, customs brokers, cops, and more, but none of that should amount to what’s leaving the business. Giusto shows up every morning and heads off with a team of men that I selected to complete the tasks for the day. I want to keep him close so I can keep an eye on him.
However, I think it’s time to send him on a longer trip. Nero said to let him know what I need, and it’s time to ask.
“Giusto needs to take a trip,” I tell Nero over the phone.
“How long?” he returns.
“About a week. He’s making his wife’s and kids’ lives a living hell, as well as Serafina’s,” I say.
“I can’t send him alone. I don’t trust him. I’ll get one of my men to go with him. I have a delivery for Alessio. It needs to go today. Want me to call him?”
“I’d rather do this in person. I’m going to have Bianca and her kids spend the week with us and spend time with Serafina and her mother,” I explain.
“I’ll meet you there. He’s unstable. I’m hoping he makes his move soon, then we can all move on from the past.”
The past is never gone and shouldn’t be forgotten. This is how we learn from our mistakes. It’s one of the many lessons I learned during my time away. I worked with some good men who were willing to do what was necessary to rescue decent people from bad guys. They were mercenaries, but they saved loved ones taken by guerrilla armies, or women who were going to be sold as sex slaves. They even worked for the government to take down enemy regimes.
This is part of the past that shaped me, and I don’t want to forget a damn thing. I’ve not spoken about my time away because it’s mine and mine alone, and I don’t bring it up now either. Instead, I say, “I’ll meet you there.”
With Serafina, Vera, and my mother on their way to Fabiana’s Wedding Boutique, I hop in my car and head toward Giusto’s house. It’s a road I know well. I’ve kept tabs on him over the years. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve imagined climbing over the fence, shutting down his security system, and finding my way into his home. In my mind, I see myself waiting in his study until he comes home late at night. I know he comes home late because, stalker that I am, I have followed my prey countless times and know Giusto’s routine. After a night of drinking and whoring, he goes to his study for a final nightcap before heading off to bed.
I imagine myself sitting in his chair behind his desk. I often wonder if he’d draw his gun immediately, which would only have me shooting him before he could pull the trigger, or if he’d try to reason with me while he made his way over to the panel on the wall where he could hit the emergency button for reinforcements. That wouldn’t work either, because, as I’ve said, I studied every scenario, and I know every nook and cranny of his house. I would have disabled his alarm, and he’d be staring at a bunch of loose connectors.
Yes, I’ve made plans, and on so many nights, when thoughts of how my sister suffered, first through his raping her, then having to live with the shame of his lies, I came close to ending Giusto. After seeing what he did to Serafina, I wish I’d killed him. At least then she wouldn’t have suffered his anger and retaliation. I decided to bide my time and wait for the right opportunity. I never thought Marco would relent, but Nero convinced me to be patient because the time would come, and the rewards would be greater than I ever thought.
Nero is correct. And as a friend, I know he was always rooting for me. Because of him, I am marrying Serafina, gaining the respect and title I deserve, and receiving justice for my sister.
As I pull onto Giusto’s property, the gates open. This tells me that Nero has already arrived. I’m sure Giusto would have made this a much bigger production by not allowing me to enter his estate if Nero weren’t present. Giusto’s ego would have demanded that I be made to wait.
I’m greeted at the door by a somber older woman in a maid’s uniform. A plump woman with gray hair and glasses, she looks less than content with her job. That seems to be the theme for all those who work with Giusto.
“Mr. Candida is waiting for you in the study,” she says, then precedes me through the massive entryway and down the hall to his office.
The door is open, and Giusto begins to stand as he sees me. He’s a big guy, though not as tall as me, and it’s apparent that he likes good food. He used to be trimmer and in better shape. I believe Giusto’s theory is that being an underboss means you don’t have to do any of the heavy lifting. Not my philosophy at all. If you want your men to walk into battle, then you’d better be prepared to fight alongside them.
“Welcome to my home,” Giusto says, opening his arms wide, with a crocodile smile on his face. I wonder if he knows how slimy he sounds. He reminds me of a slick used-car salesman.
“I’m sorry I didn’t wait for a formal invitation, Guisto, but a business matter came up early this morning and Nero insisted we deal with it quickly,” I say as I step into the study. He doesn’t offer me a chair, but sits back down behind his desk and returns his attention to Nero.
This does not go unnoticed by Nero, but he ignores the insult and lays out his assignment. “Alessio has a shipment coming through our docks. The cargo is ready to go, and we need a senior man to accompany the shipment. Il Destino’s man, Julian, is arriving in an hour. Your job is to make sure that Julian and the cargo make it to Las Vegas. It’ll take at least a week. Once it arrives safely and intact, Alessio will transfer the money. There’s a hefty bonus for you too,” Nero says as an added incentive.
Money matters to Giusto, and the words hefty bonus make his eyes light up. “Anything you need, Nero,” Giusto answers.
“Good. Now that I know I can count on you, I want you to know you can count on us,” Nero tells him. “Your wife and children will be missing their husband and father, and I think it’s appropriate for Eros to make arrangements for them to spend quality time with family.” Giusto’s smile disappears, but only for a fleeting moment, then he catches himself and plasters it back on.
“As a surprise for Serafina, I’d like to have your family in the wedding party. She talks about her nieces like they were her own children. I think it would be appropriate if Anita and Alia were flower girls, don’t you think?” I ask. Take that asshole, I think to myself. Go ahead and defy me. I’d love to hear his excuse.
Giusto knows he can’t refuse, and in a booming voice, he declares, “Well, of course. The girls would be devastated if they weren’t part of their favorite aunt’s special day. And I’m looking forward to walking my sister down the aisle,” he throws in as a jab.
I remain calm and serene. We’ll have to see if he makes it to the wedding first. “Excellent. Serafina’s been trying to get a few minutes to speak with Bianca in person, but she’s been so busy. As Bianca is her dearest friend, I’m sure Serafina will want to have her as her maid of honor. I hope there’s no objection to this,” I say, landing the final blow.
“The women are like sisters. Bianca will be thrilled, I’m sure,” Giusto replies, but his words do not match his tone or expression.
“Great,” Nero says, coming to his feet. “Pack a bag, Giusto, and I’ll drive you to the meeting place. Eros will look after your family while you’re gone. The wedding is just around the corner, and I’m sure Serafina and your mother need all the help they can get. These women fuss over such matters.” He chuckles. Giusto joins in.
“I’ll get Bianca to pack my bag,” Giusto says and leaves the room.
