The Accardi Twins: A Mafia Romance Duet

Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

Gia

“ H ave you got your vest on?” Joshua asks me for the umpteenth time as we get out of his Land Rover at the large warehouse in Queens where everyone is meeting.

“Yes.” I bite my tongue so I don’t sass him. I know he’s only worried. I loop my arm through his. “Please don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. You’re the one who is directly in the line of fire, so if anyone should be worrying, it’s me .”

“Hey.” Leo walks up to us. “You kids good?”

Joshua rolls his eyes. “I stopped being a kid a long time ago, Leo.”

“You’ll always be a kid to me.”

“Are Mom and the others safe?” he asks as I scan the men surrounding the area and walking in and out of the warehouse. Philip did something to the satellite signal here and the location near the construction site in Atlantic City where it’s all going down in a few hours so no one can watch or pull up any reports afterward. There will be casualties on both sides tonight, and we need to keep the authorities out of this.

I spot a handful of other women walking into the high-roofed building, but we are in the extreme minority. Most of the wives and kids are holed up in bunkers and panic rooms in case this should go wrong.

I don’t think it will. The planning is exemplary.

Joshua and Caleb brought me into their confidence last night, and I’m astounded at what has been pulled together in a couple of months. It’s no wonder I haven’t seen much of him in the past couple of weeks.

“Everyone is tucked away in the basement panic room at Ben’s house,” Leo says, reclaiming my attention. “Your mother, Marco, and Elisa are there too.”

My youngest brother threw a hissy fit he couldn’t come today. He’s thirteen and already initiated, but it’s too dangerous, and he doesn’t have enough experience in the field, so Papa put his foot down. Mom said Marco was stomping around the house like a stereotypical teen for the past week. I’m betting he sulks the entire time he has to stay hidden on Ben’s estate, but I’m glad they are safe. It’s three less people to worry about. “They said to tell you not to take unnecessary risks.”

“I’m not the one they should be worrying about,” I say as I spy my father and two brothers coming this way.

“I heard the ambush went like clockwork,” Leo says as my family strolls up.

Dad pulls me into a bracing hug before handing me off to Antonio and Cosimo. I hug my brothers close.

“We had twelve casualties during the op, but we captured ninety-nine men,” Joshua says. “They are chained and locked in our bunker, under armed guard, and we have security cameras all over the area in case anything should go down.”

I worked with a team for weeks to track down every traitor among the mafioso . Strangely, there were no rats within the Maltese famiglia , but we identified rats in the other four families. We waited until today to go after them in a carefully planned attack. A group of Accardi traitors were purposely left out of the ambush because we need them as part of the plan tonight.

“What about the plant in Cali?” My dad asks.

“Juan Pablo has every available man working on security tonight in case they attack.”

“Are the Irish here?” Antonio asks.

Joshua shakes his head. “We’ll meet them in A.C.” He glances around. “We should head inside. It’s not safe to talk out here.”

We walk inside just as the meeting is called to order. Joshua holds my hand as we advance toward the raised section at the back of the room. “Stay where I can see you,” he says when we reach the top, leaning down to kiss me in front of the packed room. I feel eyeballs glued to the back of my head, and I scowl at my boyfriend. Joshua swats my ass and winks before jumping up onto the stage to join his twin. My father glares at him from his position beside Fiero, and Cosimo chuckles. “Joshua must have a death wish.”

“Doesn’t he know his don status means fuck all when Dad has his fatherly hat on?” Antonio adds.

“He’s fearless and confident. He doesn’t need to worry about Papa.”

“You’re so fucking smitten. It’s disgusting,” Cosimo says, his lips pulling into a grimace.

“I think it’s great. I love seeing you happy,” Antonio says. “Did you hear what happened to Sorella?” he whispers in my ear.

“No, and I don’t want to know. Stop talking,” I add. “They’re calling for quiet.”

The board of The Commission stands on the makeshift podium with their underbosses and consiglieri . It’s only the five existing board members before us. The decision was taken, at the last minute, not to announce the four new members even though they have been sworn in. It gives us an element of surprise we might need later. Dad, Leo, and Alesso are fully informed, because they are trusted implicitly, but none of the other underbosses or consiglieri were notified.

Don Greco welcomes everyone and quickly outlines the plan. “You will split into your designated groups and follow your capo to your assigned transportation. If anyone is in need of additional weapons or a vest, spare supplies are in the cordoned-off area at the back.” He points toward the corner on the left where a temporary tent is erected. “When on location, you will be given direct instructions. Do not deviate from the plan. Follow your capo ’s instructions to the letter.”

Don Mazzone speaks next. “We are well prepared, but expect our enemy to be well prepared too. They know we are coming, and this will be bloody. Not everyone will make it home after tonight.”

A solemn hush descends over the crowd.

“We protect our own,” Joshua says, his voice projecting confidently across the room. “The medical team is on standby, reinforced with additional resources and a centralized facility.” Nat explained how they have been working over the past year to transform one of the Caltimore Holdings buildings into a private hospital, purely for mafioso . They will open their doors for the first time tonight. “If you are injured, find a safe space to hide until we come for you.”

“For those who die with honor tonight, know we will take care of your families,” Caleb says. “They will be cared for and protected.”

It’s Fiero’s turn next. Don Maltese clears his throat. “Earlier today, we rounded up one hundred and eleven men who were traitors working with our enemy from within our famiglie .”

Hushed whispering ripples across the room. “These traitors will be dealt with accordingly,” Cristian says. “A few may have slipped through the cracks.” I watch the tall man with balding hair on the stage for any signs of a reaction, but he gives nothing away. He’s good. I’ll give him that. “Watch your backs.”

The meeting disperses quickly as everyone moves to their assigned team. I hug my brothers tight, silently praying both of them come home safely. “Be careful,” I tell them, cupping Cosimo’s face. “Especially you. Don’t take unnecessary risks.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours. You can count on it.” Cosimo gives me another quick hug before walking off.

“I’ll make sure he’s safe,” Antonio says. “Dad put him on my team so I could look out for him.”

“Don’t forget to look out for you too.” I yank him into a fierce hug as Joshua approaches from behind his shoulder. “Love you, bro.”

“Love you too. Happy shooting.” He nods at my boyfriend before racing after our younger brother.

“No reckless shit,” Joshua says, tugging on the end of my ponytail.

“Right back at ya.”

“I’m not the reckless one.” He arches a brow.

“You’re getting all the fun,” Caleb grumbles, materializing alongside us.

I roll my eyes. Trust Caleb to call the impending bloodbath fun .

“It’s your fault for being so skilled with a rifle.” Joshua claps his brother on the back.

“Ready to head out?” Caleb asks me, and I nod.

“Keep her safe, little brother.”

Caleb flips him the bird as he pulls me under his arm. “Don’t worry. I’ve got your woman covered.”

I shove my elbow into his side. “Don’t be gross, and stop freaking him out when he’s going into battle.”

I fling my arms around Joshua’s neck and stretch up on my booted feet. “I love you.” I slam my lips against his, and he kisses me back with the same desperation I feel. “Be careful out there, and come home to me.”

“Always.” He kisses me one final time before we part.

“You should give me your coordinates,” Marino says to Caleb as we move to walk off. “I should know where you are in case anything should go wrong.”

“It’s classified,” Caleb says through gritted teeth.

Their underboss laughs. “You’ve got to be joking. I’m your second-in-command, and I have a right to know.”

Caleb’s nostrils flare as he steps up to the older man. I yank him back as Joshua steps in to smooth things over. “It’s nothing personal, Benedito.” Joshua lowers his voice on purpose. “You know we have a mole within the top level we weren’t able to identify.”

“You better not be suggesting it’s me.” His hands ball at his side as I squeeze Caleb’s arm in warning.

“Of course not.” Joshua’s expression is sincere as he eyeballs the traitor. “If it was up to us, we’d tell you, but Don Greco would bust our balls for disrespecting his orders, and we can’t afford that. We still have a lot to prove to our peers.”

“He wouldn’t have to know.”

“I don’t even know where we’re going, and I’m a part of the team,” I say. “It’s smart to keep the intel contained. Surely you concede that point?”

He shoots me a withering glare before offering me a tight smile. He turns to Joshua. “Can I at least have my cell and my weapons back?”

“Afraid I can’t do that.”

Anger ripples across his face. “This is such bullshit! How am I expected to do my job blindfolded with my hands effectively tied behind my back?” he hisses.

“I know. We’re not pleased about it either, but these are the rules.”

Marino looks like he wants to keep arguing, but he realizes it’s futile. “Very well. I’ll meet you at the rendezvous point,” he says, turning to walk off.

“You’re coming with me. President’s orders.” Joshua shrugs apologetically, and I’m proud of him. He deserves an Oscar for this performance.

Marino looks like he wants to throttle Joshua with his bare hands, and I’m grateful they are going in a van with trusted armed soldati so he can’t pull something en route. The Commission used their contacts to hire a ton of military trucks for tonight, and it truly feels like we are going to war.

“Let’s go.” I tug on Caleb’s arm to pull him away.

“Stay safe, broski,” he calls out as I drag him away.

“I love you,” I mouth at Joshua, swallowing back nerves as we walk in opposite directions.