24. Brando
24
brANDO
I can’t shake the tension that weighs heavily on my shoulders. Each hour that passes feels as though I’m sitting over a charcoal fire with no way of getting up. I’ve promised Scar that I’ll tuck my crazy away until further notice; we don’t need any more complications as we work all our sources trying to find the Andrade sisters.
The minute that Jayson Caluna gave us a location for Falcone, I was ready to go storming into that compound to retrieve Mia, but Scar held me back. Breaking through the gates of the compound when we didn’t know where the twins were could result in more danger to the girls than what they were already in, and Scar was adamant that we had to slow down and plan out our movements strategically. It took me a while to simmer down, but eventually I saw the wisdom in what he was saying. We’ve been doing nothing but planning our next move ever since. I have every man available, and there is no shortage of them, working every possible angle to find the girls, while Lupe and Enzo are putting out fires being lit by the Viccis.
I fix both men with what I’m told is my signature killer glare when I see the expressions on their faces as they walk into my office. Today is not the day for them to be bringing me bad news, but I know the expressions they wear all too well. I lean back in my chair, steeling myself for whatever revelation is about to unfold.
“Brando,” Lupe begins, and I already don’t like the tone of his voice. “We need to talk. About the Viccis.”
I raise a wary eyebrow. “This again?”
They’re both quiet as they look at me, before their eyes skirt to each other, daring one another to tell me whatever it is they’ve come to say.
“Just spit it out,” I tell them, my patience wearing thin. It can’t possibly get any worse than it already is.
“We spoke before about their familial connection to the Lucianis,” Enzo reminds me, his tone serious. “It turns out Falcone’s the one that’s been lighting that fire under them. He’s using their anger to turn them into allies against the Gattis.”
My jaw clenches, anger simmering beneath the surface. I realize it actually could get worse that it already is.
“The bastard is trying to pit us against everyone while he sits back and watches the chaos unfold,” Lupe adds. “Say the word, boss, and I’ll have his head attached to a stake before sunrise.”
“There’s more,” Enzo tells me, his face grave. “I spoke with one of the Viccis who’s an old friend of the Falcone family. And you’ll never believe the story he told me.”
“Do I look like I’m in the mood for stories, Enzo?” I’m somewhat irate, but Enzo, true to fashion, waves me off and tells me to hear him out. I tell myself it had better be a good story or I’m going to pistol whip him just to get over the trauma of sitting through another one of his history lessons.
Enzo steps closer, lowering his voice. “He directly mentioned Frank’s animosity towards you. It’s more personal than you think.”
My heart races as I fight to keep my composure. I’m suddenly the best student sitting in the front of class, and I can’t wait for the history lesson to begin.
“Continue. By all means.”
“Falcone’s hatred for the Gattis stems from your mother,” Enzo explains, his voice low. “Your mother was involved in an affair with Falcone’s father; an affair which drove his mother to suicide.”
I feel the ground shift dangerously beneath me, the implication crashing over me like a wave. “My mother… she was having an affair with Falcone’s father?” I don’t know why I’m so surprised, since my mother was evil personified.
“Frank’s mother lost her mind after the affair came to light,” Enzo continues. “He’s been holding a grudge against your family ever since, blaming you for the pain his mother suffered.”
My fists clench painfully, my nails digging ferociously into my palms, anger and confusion battling within me. “So, this whole thing goes back to my mother?” I spit the words out in disbelief. We’re still paying the price for the error of her ways. Another one of her burdens that we have to carry. Our mother continues to haunt us from beyond the grave. God only knows what else will come to light as more time passes. I realize if she were still alive, I’d gladly kill her again.
“You’re telling me that everything Falcone has done is vengeance for something my mother did to his family?”
“Exactly,” Lupe replies, his gaze steady. “Frank sees you as a symbol of everything that went wrong in his life. He wants revenge, he wants to destroy your family the same way he believes his was destroyed.”
I stand up, the weight of the revelation settling heavily on my shoulders. “This is insane. He’s willing to drag everyone into this vendetta, and for what? To settle a score that’s been buried for years? A score that died with our mother? He’s been harboring this all these years?”
Enzo nods solemnly. “He’s not right in the head, Brando. Anyone that holds that much hatred for that many years can’t be. He believes that by ending you, he’ll find closure for the pain he’s endured.”
“This is crazy.”
Lupe exchanges a glance with Enzo, both men understanding the gravity of my words. We all understand we’re not dealing with normal here. Far from it. For Frank Falcone to have gone through high school with this enmity towards me, an enmity that was still very much alive all these years later, there had to be something chemically wrong with him.
“What do you want us to do?” Lupe asks.
He’s ready and waiting for me to give him the green light he’s been seeking to unleash his beast. The man is an act now ask later kind of guy, but he’s an absolute monster when it comes to protecting me and my family. And for the first time in my life, I consider throwing caution to the wind and just telling him to go ahead and start his reign of madness.
“Get Lucky to meet with the Vicci family and sort this crap out so I won’t have to.”
The two men exchange a look.
“You sure, boss?” Enzo asks.
“You question my fucking judgment?”
Enzo looks down at his feet, his face reddening as shame coats his expression.
Lucky is as chill as they come. Diplomacy is an art form for him, but sometimes it’s hard to take him seriously when he seems to find the humor in everything he says and does. But I trust him implicitly, and I trust him to do the right thing when it comes to containing problems. He may not have the experience that Scar and I have, but when push comes to shove, he’s got a determination that ensures the job always gets done.
“No-one even knows who their leader is after Don Vicci was killed,” Lupe points out, letting me know that setting up a meeting would be next to impossible.
“Make it happen,” I tell him. “Do your job. Get Lucky to put out the Vicci fire.”
It’s only been hours since we met with Jayson Caluna, but I feel compelled to meet with him again, if only to allay my own growing anxiety.
The truth is, I don’t trust anyone in Frank’s circle—not completely. Jayson may be feeding me the right information now, but that doesn’t guarantee his loyalty. If anything, it makes him a wildcard—an asset to be sure, but one that can easily turn, especially if the stakes get high enough.
But Mia... Mia is at the center of all of this, and nothing matters more than her safety.
I remove the tie from around my neck and undo the top button of my shirt before I push myself up from the desk. The weight of my decisions feels heavier tonight, the pulse of the city outside the windows a steady reminder that time is running out.
I can’t waste any more.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I don’t need to look at the screen to know who’s calling—it’s Rafi. My youngest brother always has my back.
“What have you got for me?” I ask him.
“Everything’s set. Jayson’s confirmed the location. Are you sure you want to do this, Brando? You can’t be too sure he’s on our side, yet.”
I can hear the concern in Rafi’s voice, the same unease that’s been gnawing at my gut all day. I’ve already made up my mind, though. This isn’t just about Jayson; it’s about making sure Mia is alive. And Scar seems to trust him, so that’s more than good enough for me.
“I know,” I say, trying to keep the edge of frustration out of my voice. “I’ll handle it. I don’t need a babysitter.”
Rafi is silent for a moment. “Be careful, big brother. I’m worried about you.”
Rafi’s the one we’re trying to keep away from this life, but he’s probably going to surpass us all when it comes to running the show. People tell me he’s a younger version of me, but I somehow don’t see it. He’s calmer, more introspective, thinks on his feet and doesn’t let his emotions get the better of him. I used to be like that at one point. Until Mia.
“I’ll be careful,” I mutter before ending the call.
The elevator ride down feels impossibly slow. I try to quiet my thoughts, to focus, but my mind keeps drifting back to Mia and what’s happening to her right now.
The car waits outside the building, the engine humming low and steady. I slide into the back seat, the dark tinted windows hiding me from the world as we make our way toward the meeting spot. It’s a secluded warehouse, the kind that doesn’t invite attention.
We pull up a few minutes before the agreed-upon time. I take a deep breath and step out, my boots hitting the pavement with a quiet thud. The warehouse is deserted, a derelict structure which once served as a frozen food warehouse.
The only thing I care about as I step into the silence of the warehouse is getting to Jayson and making sure this damn mess doesn’t spiral further out of control.
I’m not here for pleasantries. I’m not here for small talk.
I’m here to make sure Mia is safe.
As I walk into the dimly lit warehouse, I spot Jayson almost immediately—his figure standing by the far wall, arms crossed, eyes scanning the room. He doesn’t look nervous. He looks... prepared. But then again, so do I. We’re both playing a dangerous game.
“Brando,” Jayson greets me, his voice steady but with a slight edge that suggests he may be wary as to why he’s here so soon after we first met.
“I need to know Mia’s still alive. I need to hear it from you now; I need to know she’s safe.” My voice is low and controlled, but my tone betrays my calm; it lets him know that if he tells me the wrong thing, I’m ready and waiting to lash out, a powder keg about to explode.
Jayson doesn’t flinch. Instead, he shifts his weight slightly, as though considering the right words. “She’s alive. Frank hasn’t hurt her, but he’s... The house is heavily guarded, Brando. Getting her out won’t be easy.”
I nod, my jaw tightening. “We don’t have time for easy. You make sure she stays alive. No matter what happens, you keep her safe.”
“I’m doing everything I can,” he says, meeting my eyes. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt, Brando. Not Mia, not anyone. You have my word.”
“Your word doesn’t mean anything without proof,” I snap back, stepping closer. “I’m not interested in your word, Jayson. Frank’s a dead man either way. Best you choose a side to play on...” I let the threat hang in the air between us.
Jayson looks unfazed, though I see the flicker of something—something almost imperceptible—in his eyes. Guilt? Fear? Either way, it’s enough to tell me he’s not entirely sure what side he’s on either.
“The only reason I’m working for Falcone is because my cousin planted me there,” he says finally, his voice softer but still firm. “I’m just trying to survive, Brando. Just like you. But I’m telling you now—I have no loyalty to Frank Falcone. I’ll get you the intel you need, and I’ll help you get her out. But I need your trust. I can’t do this if you doubt me.”
I step back, considering his words carefully. Trust. It’s something I’m not willing to give lightly. But this isn’t about me. It’s about Mia. And if I have to take a risk—however small—to make sure she’s safe, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.
“I’m giving you one chance, Jayson,” I say, my voice cold but resolute. “One chance to prove you’re on the right side. Do this, and we’ll talk. Do anything else, and I’ll buy you a plot next to Falcone.”
Jayson’s eyes flash, but he doesn’t say anything, just nods once. It’s enough.
“Good,” I say, turning toward the door. “You’ll make sure nothing happens to her, and we’ll get her out. I just want you to keep her safe until we get to her.”
“I will. You have my word,” he repeats.
I don’t look back as I walk out. My mind is already on my next move as I go over the plans we prepared to end this once and for all. And when I have Frank, there won’t be one merciful bone in my body.