Chapter 16
Di Lucas Bonetti stood near the window with his gold cane planted firmly against the floor. He didn’t need to be verbally told something was wrong with Luca, he could see it. He noticed everything with the people he loved.
Di Lucas eyed Luca’s house staff with a wrinkled nose. He licked his thin lips before taking a much-needed sip of cognac, then looked over at his grandson. He took in his rugged appearance.
Luca needed a haircut; dark bags sat underneath his eyes, indicating that he hadn’t slept in days. His white button up shirt was lightly wrinkled along with his black slacks that normally had a crease down the middle. The rain outside, along with the dark clouds, matched his mood.
Roy sat across from Luca, legs spread with his elbows resting on his knees.
He looked better than Luca did. Every couple of seconds Roy’s eyes flicked to Luca.
Roy’s concern for Luca was etched on his face.
The past couple of weeks went on with both men working side by side without many words being exchanged.
Luca plotted hard, checked in on things that he didn’t have to tend to since it was Roy’s job.
Roy hated that Luca even took a liking to La’Nova from jump.
He knew it would go sour before their thing even had a chance to taste sweet.
Roy just didn’t expect for Luca to shut down the way that he did. It was all in his actions.
As bad as Di Lucas wanted to acknowledge Luca’s three-sixty from the last time he saw him, he held back due to more important matters that called for immediate attention.
“Lucille’s house staff is more appealing than yours.” He grunted the words out, breaking the silence.
Roy barked out a laugh before he could stop himself.
“Real shit, I was thinking the same thing. Lucille had nothing but fine ass hoes tiptoeing around the Bonetti estate.”
Luca’s face remained emotionless. He didn’t bother looking at Di Lucas or acknowledging Roy. He held his hands up and signed slowly.
“I don’t care how the house staff looks… I have no intentions on fucking them.”
Roy’s smile faded, he leaned back watching Luca’s hands move with controlled precision. Luca hadn’t really used his voice since La’Nova disappeared. Only the twins got his whispered words.
Di Luca stepped away from the window and slowly made his way over to the loveseat. He took a seat, followed by a huff as if those few steps took too much out of him.
“Roy said you were talking more… said you seen a good specialist for your throat.” Di Lucas glanced over at Roy. “Why aren’t you speaking all of a sudden?”
“If Roy told you that, then you know about La’Nova.”
Luca’s jaw tightened; as bad as he wanted to terminate her out of his mind, he couldn’t.
“So, a woman… Kentrell’s woman,” Di Lucas sneered, squinting his eyes in disbelief. “She’s making you go back to that mutism shit.” Di Lucas’ voice shook in anger.
“She really just left like that?” Roy shook his head, trying his best to soften the blow of the old man’s words.
“She just fuckin’ left without a good explanation.” Luca signed angrily.
“Women don’t run without a reason,” Di Lucas spat.
Luca’s hands paused from signing; he searched his mind a million times on what the reason could have been besides her being hurt in the past and scared to take a leap of faith with him.
“What is she hiding?” He signed.
“Love has made you fucking dumb.” Di Lucas sneered with disgust.
“Did you miss what I said? She was Kentrell’s woman, as far as I’m concerned.” Di Lucas picked his cane up. He lifted into the air and aimed it directly at Luca. “Lucille, Kentrell, Lennox, and this La’Nova bitch… One of them pulled the trigger and killed my fucking son.”
Di Lucas slammed his cane against the floor. He used it as an anchor to stand. It took him a full sixty seconds in total to pull his frail frame up to his full height. He straightened his posture, eyes blazing in Luca’s direction.
“You have the answers, old man. It’s why you haven’t went back to Thailand.” Luca signed the words sharply.
La’Nova’s name being mentioned as a suspect twisted his stomach inside out.
“It does not matter what it is I know, son. It’s what I want you to know.” Di Lucas looked away from Luca.
He was tired of being in California. When he arrived months ago, he was ready to burn it down before things started to make sense.
He knew that Luca would avenge his son. But Di Luca also sticked around to be there for Luca during his mourning.
Luca didn’t use him as a shoulder to lean on.
He distanced himself from everyone including his capo, Roy.
“I’ve made peace with a few things…” He took his time sitting back down.
“I made my peace with who killed my son, as well as who all betrayed him. You need to make peace with it soon… I’m not saying for you to get over my Donnie, but…
I want you to learn how to live with him no longer being here to guide you.
There are two people that must die…” He pointed his finger at Luca then took another sip of his cognac.
“Lennox and Kentrell. My son’s murder will be avenged. I don’t give a fuck what you find out… who life you choose to spare but those two…. Have. To. Die.” He tossed back the rest of his liquor.
Luca didn’t react outwardly. Inside, something clicked, and it all made sense to him.
“I don’t got many visits left in me, Luca. My body knows that, even if my pride doesn’t.”
Roy looked away, jaw set tight. He loved Di Lucas Bonetti and respected him as if he was his biological grandfather. He talked to the old man on the phone more than his own father. He was full of wisdom. Roy couldn’t imagine getting a call saying that he passed on.
“I see how you are moving. New table. New blood. Silence instead of noise, that’s how real Don’s move. It’s a big reason why I haven’t gotten involved, and I would like to keep it that way.”
Luca’s left leg started to bounce impatiently.
He remembered the way Di Lucas spoke in so many riddles, always challenging, sometimes comforting, but never easy in getting to the main point.
Roy felt the weight of the moment settle on his shoulders, knowing that each conversation might be their last. Once Di Lucas fell off the grid, it wasn’t easy to get in contact with him unless he wanted to talk.
The room seemed colder and heavy with unspoken truth and the burden of a legacy that Luca was determined to carry on his back.
There was no point in Luca signing or speaking any words. Once Di Lucas spoke and paused in the middle of a speech, he never stopped until he was up and walking toward the door.
“That girl.” Di Lucas shook his head, hating that La’Nova and Luca even crossed paths.
He knew all about La’Nova, her parents and how his son killed them. She was out for blood, and it didn’t matter to her how long it would take to taste it. Women’s patience was better than men’s.
“You’ll find her.” He smirked evilly. “Or she’ll find her way back. Truth always circles home.” He twirled his index finger into a full circle.
“Now I’m gonna say this and be done.” Di Lucas looked at Luca then Roy with a small smile on his face.
“Power is simple and clean. You give an order… It’s done. You build, destroy and protect what’s yours.” Di Lucas shrugged nonchalantly.
“Love is not like that.” He shook his head adamantly.
“Love.” He fixed his gaze on the empty glass as he continued. “Is the only thing in life that does not respect rank. It doesn’t care how lethal you are and who fears you. Doesn’t care how many men stand when you walk into a room.” His lip twitched faintly.
“It will have you standing for someone else and standing for something you’d never imagined yourself rising for.”
Di Lucas’ eyes dimmed with remembrance.
“It is a beautiful experience. It feels like you’ve been chosen by something holy.” He held one of his hands in front of him then gazed at it in amazement. “It’s like the world narrowed itself down to one face. One voice, one pair of hands that can calm the storm in you.”
His fingers balled into a tight fist followed by his eyes darkening.
“When you love… you hand that person the map to your kingdom. Every hidden door and soft place inside of you that you pretend doesn’t exist… you give them the blade… then you foolishly trust that they won’t use it.” Di Lucas chuckled dryly.
“Help me up, Roy,” Di Lucas ordered, never taking his eyes off Luca.
Roy made it to him in seconds; he held his arm out and allowed Di Lucas to lean all his weight on him in order to stand. Once he was on his feet, Luca stood a moment later. He stepped to his grandfather with the weight of the world sitting heavy on his heart and mind.
All three men eyed one another in a silent understanding before Di Lucas’ weary voice sliced through.
“It’s okay to love but never forget who you are. Never forget what people are capable of when cornered…”
Luca’s eyes followed Di Lucas wrinkled hand as it lifted slowly. Out of respect he leaned toward it. His grandfather’s touch grounded him; he felt the love through his simple touch and embraced it.
“My father will be avenged,” Luca finally whispered.
“I know he will, son,” Di Lucas offered a short nod then released Luca.
The woman you look at like salvation once stood over your father as judgement… You won’t kill her, son… but you will kill your father’s closest enemies then leave the rest to me. Di Lucas thought.
Slowly, Di Lucas turned toward the door as Luca and Roy followed closely behind him. He officially planned to fall off the Bonetti family radar so that he could watch from a distance then strike when everyone else least expected it… including the Don.