Chapter 2 We Have Business to Finish
Two
We Have Business to Finish
Nero
Eros is one of a kind. He was the guy who never gave a shit what anyone thought of him, and he’s still that man.
Eros was a made man at a young age. Not by choice, but because our gym, owned and operated by our Mafia family, was attacked by the Bratva.
My father was visiting the gym to see me fight, and the Russians thought it would be an opportunity they couldn’t pass up to get rid of La Famiglia’s capo.
Our family is always prepared for the worst, especially when the capo is present. However, one Russian soldier thought to take out all the future soldiers of the family, and he would have killed many of the young boys training that day if it weren’t for Eros.
Some would call it stupid, but I call it fearless.
Eros climbed the rope in the center of the gym, swung off to the edge of a platform, then dove head-on into the Russian, knocking him to the ground, then he plunged a knife he had sheathed at his ankle into the Russian’s femoral artery, killing him.
Eros herded the rest of the boys into the back room, where the guns and ammo were kept, and he led us back out to defend our territory.
My father and his men had it all under control, and there was nothing left for us to do. But he saw Eros kill the Russian and called Eros over to him.
I remember it as clearly as the day it happened: Dad put his hand on the back of Eros’s neck and pulled him close, bending to meet Eros at his level. “You’re a born leader, Eros. Your father will be very proud of you. Tell your father to come to the house tonight with your family.”
That meant something to Eros. But then, in one fell swoop, the passion for La Famiglia died the day Miranda committed suicide.
He blames my father for letting Giusto get away with what he did.
Giusto sullied Miranda’s name, and that sent her into a deep depression that ultimately took her from this world.
There are very few secrets I’ve kept from my father, but there’s one that Luciano and I share that we’ve never told a soul.
Giusto is not a man who is faithful to his wife.
Everyone is aware of his infidelities. He’s always maintained that sex with Miranda was consensual, but I don’t believe him.
One night, Giusto drank far too much at the club in town, where Luciano and I happened to also be.
Giusto was too far gone and told us how Miranda begged him to stop and how he held her down by the neck until he got off. That’s rape!
I lost a good friend because of Giusto’s lies.
He would have been punished, and Miranda might still be here today with her family.
A family destroyed because Giusto couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.
I saw red. Luciano was just as angry. That night, we took him to a secluded spot and beat the shit out of him.
I would have killed him if Luciano hadn’t stopped me.
It felt good in the moment, and it’s clear to Giusto that I will end him if he ever speaks of Miranda again.
It wasn’t enough justice for the crime committed, but Eros taking Giusto’s place as an underboss is a good start.
Eros drives up the unpaved road and swings his car into the spot closest to the door. From the window, my father sees Eros drive in and goes out to greet him. Luciano is by his side as well as several of our soldiers. Eros steps out of the vehicle with a wicked grin on his lips.
“Special delivery,” he says. Shit! This is the first time I’ve seen him smile in years. For a split second, he resembles that young boy in the gym.
He tosses his car keys in my direction. “Trunk, I assume,” I mutter.
“Yep. He should still be knocked out cold. He’s going to have a rude awakening,” Eros replies. I pop the trunk to see that Wan Kwok is inside, motionless.
“He looks dead,” I comment.
“I brought him to you virtually unharmed. You can have all the fun you want. He’ll be coming around”—Eros glances at his watch—“in about an hour. Want some help getting him inside?”
“Vito and Gasparo will take him to the cell,” my father cuts in. Quickly, the two men by my father’s side come to do his bidding. “I promised Alessio Cassini, Reno Viale, and Raffaele Di Morte I would wait until their arrival for the festivities to begin.”
Eros shrugs. “Sounds fair considering Wan’s caused extensive trouble in all three territories.”
“You’re welcome to stick around,” Dad invites.
“Whatever you wish, Capo,” Eros answers. Dad’s eyes light up. This is the first time since Eros turned away from the family that he’s called my father Capo. In our conversations, he always referred to my father as Mr. Moretti, or simply “your father,” but Capo, never.
“I wish for you to tell me what you want. Honestly,” Dad says.
“I’m not a joiner. Perhaps you can give the other capos my best, and we can meet again at the wedding.
I’d rather go home and see my parents. My mother will be excited to see me home for dinner.
” That’s part of what I admire about this man.
He’s not about having his ego stroked because he found Wan Kwok when no one else could.
Eros set out to do what he promised, and now he’s done.
“Go home, then, but tomorrow, come to my house, with your father. We have business to finish.”