Bend Me, Daddy

I gave him a nod of apology. "I'm sorry, padre. But it's true. You know the kind of man Mario is. You know what he did. You're not stupid. And yet, you let him get away with whatever the fuck he wants to." I held his eyes with mine. "You always have. You've created a monster. And now it needs to get put down to protect the rest of us."

Pure fury held him stiff as he stared me down. I wasn't afraid, although maybe I should've been. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Your brother has done nothing but act on orders, MY orders, all these years. He's a good boy. Loyal. And he never questions me the way you do."

Ah. So that's what this was all about. I shook my head as the truth slowly dawned on me. "You want him to take your place so you can still rule the family through him. Because Mario would lick the piss off your balls if you told him to." It all made sense now. Again, I faced the men in the room. "You heard what my father said. This isn't right. Our family is better than this. Mario is a rat. And we have a code of honor to uphold. You all know what needs to be done. We were lucky the last time. Mario's goal was only to fuck with me. To bring me down a peg or two. But what if it's you next time? What if it's your son or your daughter he decides needs to be taken out? If he becomes the boss of this family, what will you be able to do?" I paused to let that sink in. "I'm not doing this to try to worm my way into my father's position. If any of you think someone else would be a better boss for this family, then that's fine. I would be more than happy to step aside, give them my loyalty, and continue on as the Underboss."

I heard more mumbling. They all knew there was no one else who was as prepared as I was to lead this family and our business. I felt the heat of my father's glare, but I refused to look at him.

Gino stood up. "Luigi, my friend, maybe we should listen to Luca and discuss this matter further before we make a decision."

But my father slammed his hand down on the desk, bringing an instant silence to the room. "There will be no more discussion. My decision is made. Mario is not this person Luca tries to make him out to be. He's a good boy. He does what he's told. And he's smart enough to understand there can be no discord within the family. That woman that Luca was fucking, she would've torn our family in two. Mario did you all a favor when he shot her."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" I asked him. The man was insane. "Marrying Maria would have only made our relationship with the cartel stronger."

"We have to have trust," he continued, completely disregarding what I'd said. "And you"-he pointed his finger at me-"you will sit down. And shut up. And stop this stupid vendetta with your brother." "There are codes we live by, padre, and we have those codes for a reason."

"SIT DOWN!"

I snapped my jaw shut and faced off with my father. Taking this any further would only fuel his argument that I was unsuited for the position of boss. I needed to remain calm. Rational. Already I could see a few of the others giving me looks. I unbuttoned my suit jacket and sat down.

Luigi got up and came around his desk. Two of my cousins, who were his constant bodyguards, came into the room as though on cue to stand beside and slightly behind him. Although they appeared relaxed, not one of us was fooled. They were there as a warning. My father was done with any discussions. This meeting was down to whatever he decided. And anyone who disagreed would do so at the risk of being shot down where he stood.

He met the eyes of everyone in the room one by one, saving me for last. He didn't look away as said, "My son, Mario, is under my protection. He is next in line to be boss. If there is anyone here who doesn't agree with my decision, I don't give a fuck. If anyone here brings any harm to him... anyone..." Again, his eyes bore into mine. "I will not hesitate to take the necessary measures to rid myself of that person who dares to bring dishonor upon me and my family." Looking around the room, he asked, "Any questions?"

There was only silence. We all knew better than to speak when he was like this.

"Good. Now get the fuck out of my house." He didn't look at me again as everyone rose and began to file out of the room to go home to their wives and children.

My blood boiled, and as much as I longed to rage my displeasure, I did the same. Our private conversations were one thing, but by making this proclamation here, in front of everyone, my father had basically just cut off my balls. His message was clear:

If I kill Mario, I'll be lying in the grave beside him within twenty-four hours.

Enzo was waiting for me by the front door. "We have a problem," he told me quietly as he held the door for me.

My heart stopped beating, then picked up again, pounding so fast and hard I felt lightheaded. I started walking, and he followed me. "Veda?"

He shook his head. "She's fine, as far as I know. I just got off the phone with her. It's her parents. Both are in the hospital, and Veda is on her way there now. It appears your brother wanted to send her a message."

I stopped walking and spun around. "She can't go there."

"I know. What do you want to do?"

I didn't even hesitate. Here was the opportunity I've been waiting for. "Send Tristan and two others to the hospital to get her parents and bring them back to the house. Then let Veda know where they are. Drop me off at the house so I'll be there to greet them, and then you can meet her near the marina and bring her back with you."

He was on the phone before I finished speaking.

As we got into the car, I tried to think of what I could say to her that would convince her to stay. My father had just taken away the only chance I had of allowing her a normal life, safe from my brother, and away from me. Not that I'd ever intended to give her that. I realized now, when I'd told her to run, that I'd always intended to find her again... after I'd killed Mario.

But killing him was no longer an option. Now I didn't have to wait to bring her back. And bringing her parents to my house was the perfect move.