Chapter 3 Massimo
Massimo
I’ve walked through more battles than I can count, my father insisting that me and my brothers learn about family life from a very young age.
I’ve never once had second thoughts, regrets or any emotion at all leaving to head into war, but the look on Sophia’s face, it’s not something I’m going to forget for a long time, if ever.
The fact that I can’t be in two places at once, finding the fuckers who took my mother and home keeping Sophia safe, it gnaws at my insides like nothing else ever has before.
Carnal Sin’s parking lot is crowded when I arrive at the club.
Jimmy pulls up to the door to drop me off before driving off to the back to park.
The sensual beat of the music has a large crowd moving to its rhythm out on the dance floor, while other couples who just want privacy pet each other in shadowed corners of the club as I weave myself among the tables and make my way to the stairs.
When I get to the lower level, all my brothers are already there.
By the time I’ve explained why we’re all here and what I plan to do, Jimmy joins us.
But this meeting doesn’t include any of our other capos, or lieutenants or even my father, at least until I know for damn certain that all the leaks are plugged and I’m not convinced that they are. Not by a long fucking shot.
Renato and Tristano talk amongst themselves, heated with emotion while Gino doesn’t give his emotions away, but his eyes are as dark as night, filled with the same fire that fills my soul with the need for revenge against the people who took our mother.
It’s up to me to keep them calm, focused on the night and what we have to do and not on revenge.
Retribution for what our enemies have done, that will come later.
Right now, we have one job to focus on. “Let’s get right to it.
We’ve got a big night ahead of us, guys, and I want to bring everyone up to speed at the same time.
“I know my text was alarming and it’s hard for me to think about Mom out there in the hands of the enemies too.
But we’re going to get her back or the Rosellis will burn this fucking city down trying. ”
Gino’s jaw tightens so hard he may leave here with a cracked tooth trying to keep his emotions bottled up.
The younger brothers watch me and the others, quiet now, taking it all in while I observe their reactions as well.
“Tensions are high, everyone is mad as fuck and scared for Mother. And the need for revenge. I’m going to say something that may not be too popular.
We will get our revenge, but it may not be tonight.
Mom comes first, in every order that I give tonight, it will be to ensure we bring her home safely first, then we focus on burying the fuckers who took her into the ground, capisce? ”
One by one each brother gives a respectful nod.
“The Rosellis will have our revenge, but right now, we play smart, we build global allies along the way, and we will come out on top. I’ve already spoken with Carlos Larussio, he and Salvatore already have choppers in the air heading this way ready to help us search.
This will be twice we’ve asked for his help, so favors will be due.
When they come calling our answer is yes, we’ll repay this favor no matter the request.”
Again, all of them nod. They may have mixed emotions about cozying up with Carlos Larussio and Vincenzo DeLuca but they stand by my side. They know the score, and when Carlos, Vincenzo or Salvatore come knocking, every one of us know we’ll be answering that fucking door.
I clear my throat. “Each of you will take your orders from Leandro and Jimmy tonight. The only two who will give you an order of any kind unless of course it’s me.
Someone else tries to give you an order, you assume they’re the enemy and things went off the rails.
You call me, Leandro or Jimmy immediately am I clear?
We have rats swimming in our midst. Stay vigilant and keep your eyes and ears out for anything that could lead us to who they are. ”
The looks around the table confirm their commitment without even the standard nod that they give me.
My brothers know without me saying it that enemies can always be in our midst. I glance at my watch.
“I’ve got a call with the other families in a few minutes.
I’m going to have Leandro and Jimmy stay with me for the call.
In the meantime, hang out in the club in case we have visitors and spread your capos out over the city, and give the orders.
Blanket the fucking city and find our mom, a million dollars to every credible lead, get that fucking word out and then text me with any holes you can’t cover together, capisce? ”
Gino, Tristano, and Renato head out of the conference room.
We can’t afford for one word of our plans with other families to get into the wrong ears and given the problem we’ve had with rats we can’t be too careful.
At least we’ve mitigated any spread of our plan as much as we can by keeping the updates just to family and Jimmy, and then to our top capos.
Not that we don’t think leaks can occur, but because it had to be done.
The men clear the room and close the door behind them. I have no doubt Gino will keep a close eye on the door to make sure no one interrupts this call. I dial the conference number that was secured for the virtual meet and get Vincenzo DeLuca, Carlos Larussio and Salvatore Larussio on the line.
Their time is precious and so is Mom’s and I’m not going to waste a minute of it so I get right to the point.
“Thanks for meeting with us on such short notice. I have my brother Leandro and Jimmy in the room with me. Carlos, Salvatore, thank you for getting men in the air with that chopper. Our cousin Alphons is back in the country now too. I called him and he has two more on standby for us waiting for word to put them in the sky.”
Carlos clears his throat. “Glad he’s done with his business overseas and can free up resources.”
My annoyance bristles momentarily but whatever differences Carlos has had with Alphons aren’t mine to delve into and his comment doesn’t require a response because Alphons has his reasons for keeping his businesses separate from the Roselli side and the Larussios’ too.
“As I referenced in my message. We’re not going to point fingers just yet, but someone took our mother.
We’ve had no word from the fuckers telling us they want anything, so right now, we have to assume the worst. It's a revenge grab, which means we’re already out of fucking time.
They don’t want anything from us, they just want to make sure they can make us pay.
Every minute that passes my mother’s life is in the balance. ”
Leandro’s jaw tightens. I know exactly what he’s feeling because my heart is pounding like a fucking freight train wanting to tear anyone and everyone apart in this city until I’ve found our mom before the sick fucks can do anything to her, but I need to stay grounded.
We have to be smart and stealthy. And gathering more allies instead of trying to stay independent as fuck these days is the right move.
Aligning versus separating, that’s the way to survive.
We’ve all felt it for a while. Now we put that plan into motion and use it to our advantage.
My voice deepens over the phone as my eyes meet Jimmy and Leandro’s. “The fuckers can hide but we’re going to flush them out soon. Every capo and soldier we have is hunting them in the streets. Should I have Alphons’ men coordinate with yours, Carlos?”
“Salvatore will have his men touch base with Alphons’ men and coordinate.
They’re fucking great at their job. It’s not going to be easy.
Our men say that even with the amount of territory and darkness falling fast it’s going to take every bit of aircraft and probably firepower that we have to find her and flush the fuckers out,” Carlos says.
My eyes meet Leandro’s. “They’re probably not wrong. I don’t know how we’ll repay you for helping to find our mother, but we fucking will. You can count on that. Each and every one of you. We’ll be there when you need to call in a favor.”
“We’ll find her if we can, Massimo,” Carlos says, and it’s all we can fucking hope for right now, at least until we get a better lead or lock on a location.
Vincenzo has been quiet until now, probably hoping I won’t reveal the situation his little brother got them into not long ago, or that he owes us a favor that I’m going to call in.
I’m not saying a fucking word though. It’s not my story to tell.
His voice is strong and commanding though as he starts talking.
“Carlos, Salvatore. Unusual circumstances,” he says, clearly not committing to anything until he’s heard why he’s been asked to join this call.
He’s not wrong to feel wary. The sudden call is not fucking protocol at all, not by a long shot.
No time to prepare, barely enough time to make sure the lines were secure.
Aligned families, yes. Families with a history like ours, we don’t just all join hands and sing Kumbaya, not on your fucking life.
Yet they showed up and for that alone, we owe them far more than I will probably ever be able to repay because not one of them needs our fucking money.
I clear my throat knowing I can at least ease his mind about the families he’s had issues with of late.
“The Gallinis and the Amortes have both been moving fast, working to take over our territory, a full-fucking-fledged takeover. Not just a bite-sized piece. We were handling that, but they’ve taken my mother and now we’re at fucking war with both of the families. ”