Chapter 49
It didn’t take long for people to start talking.
They say a priest killed the Bonetti boss. A man of the cloth, so set on vengeance that he was unafraid of God’s wrath. How can he fear anyone if he doesn’t even fear the God he believes in.
It sparked unintended trepidation amongst the criminal underground. The stories grew tendrils of untruths and exaggerations—tales of a priest walking the streets with an assault rifle under his robes, wreaking havoc.
The truth, even without all of the dramatization, is still something to fear.
I’m not sure Carlo understands what he did by killing Sammy.
To him, he stopped a man who killed his father, and who was going to kill me.
To everyone in the underground, he brought down one of the most ruthless crime bosses to exist. The Bonetti Family is responsible for a lot of people’s downfall, and the deaths of countless loved ones.
Almost everyone wanted them gone, but nobody had the army to get it done, nor the balls to even try.
Johnny handed Cortez a grenade, because I’m not sure he would’ve started this war with the Bonettis if he didn’t have to.
With his and his son’s life at risk, he took that grenade and pulled the pin.
While what Cortez and I did inflicted damage, it was Carlo who launched it, toppling the most important man in that family.
Bosses are notoriously untouchable, but he did it. And he got away with it.
Whispers are growing into screams, and slowly everyone is wondering what they can expect when Cortez Gallo’s son takes the reins.
We pull up to George’s house where he and Carlo are due to have an important conversation about the future.
I do my best to keep my questions to myself, because it’s not my place to be aware.
I’ll know what I need to know, and I’ll support him regardless.
I assume he’s going to say yes, based on his speech at his father’s funeral, but he didn’t confirm it for me.
Inside, George leads us through his expansive living room and offers us a drink.
“I’m okay,” Carlo says.
“I’m fine,” I say.
“Okay, well, if you’re ready, we can go into my office,” George tells him.
“Actually,” Carlo says. “Javier is going to be a part of this conversation.”
My brows lift slightly, surprised at this news. George’s expression mimics my own.
“Oh. Your father didn’t—”
“I’m not my father,” Carlo says simply. “Javier will be a part of this conversation.”
He leaves no room for compromise, so I sit down on the couch and make myself comfortable. George glances at me before sitting across from us. Carlo sits last.
“I’m not sure what all my father told you about me or why our relationship was estranged.”
“He alluded to some differences, but said your absence was what was best.”
Carlo nods. “Right, well, I’m going to be honest with you, because I feel like you deserve that.
If I’m going to take over for my father, then I have to trust you completely.
And with everything. Your role is to advise me, right?
To act as a mediator between me and the others if any conflicts arise, yes? ”
George nods. “That’s right.”
“Then you will know everything, and once I have your reaction, I will determine whether I want you to stay in this role.”
I can’t control my expression as my eyes slide over to George’s face, wondering how he’s going to take this news.
He shifts slightly, stiffening his back. “Okay then.”
“I’m gay. I realize that’s not an easily accepted thing in this life, but I’m not capable of changing who I am.”
I fight to keep my own shock off my face, because he did not tell me he was going to come out to George like this. To his credit, George hardly reacts.
“Okay,” he replies. “I will tell you that you will likely run into some issues.”
“That’s fine,” Carlo says. “I’ll handle them as they come.”
I shift slightly so I can have a better view of him, finding myself getting turned on at an inopportune time.
“Are you going to tell everyone?” George questions.
“I haven’t decided how to inform everyone.
I find myself struggling with the fact that it’s nobody’s business, but also understanding the business I find myself in.
They’ll know eventually, because I refuse to hide any longer, but if they have a problem with it, then they can talk to me about it, and we can figure out how they want to deal with their issues. ”
I bite down on my lip, hiding my smile. George’s eyes flash to my face before looking back at Carlo.
“You can’t possibly think you can remove everyone from the family if they don’t like it. The truth is, a lot of them won’t.”
Carlo cocks his head. “As boss, my authority is absolute. I can promote and demote whoever I want.”
George dips his head in acknowledgement. “I just think it might be hard to replace some of these guys.”
“Well, hopefully it doesn’t come to that. Do you have an issue?”
“No. My concern is with the business. As long as whatever you have going on doesn’t affect the business, I don’t care.”
“Good. We’ll need to discuss an underboss, but again, they will be vetted, because I will not work with someone who cannot respect me, especially if it’s based on who I find attractive.
Also,” he turns toward me now, “Javier will continue in the same role my father had him in. Javier is family, regardless of whether he’s made or not.
If I want him to be privy to certain conversations, he will be, because the truth of the matter is he’s always known.
My father told him everything, and I will do the same.
So he’s going to be allowed to be with me in meetings I want him to be in, and he will not be treated as an outsider. ”
George sighs, but he doesn’t argue. “Okay.”
“Is there any news on anyone left from the Bonetti Family?”
“Your father and Javier got rid of four of eight capos, and maybe a dozen soldiers. You got Sammy, so that leaves four more capos and a couple hundred soldiers.”
“My dad talked to Aurelio prior to everything going down. He was to take over and make sure our relationship stayed cordial.”
George sways his head back and forth. “Yeah, but we have to see how it all actually plays out. Aurelio will talk to the remaining three capos and see if they have interest in higher positions, but they could hold onto some anger and not want this to go over smoothly. And that’s not counting the sheer amount of soldiers that could also be holding grudges. ”
“Do I need to do something about this? Send another message that informs them they better not think to reengage in this war?”
George shrugs. “Not as of now. I’ll talk to some people.”
“Set up a meeting with Aurelio as well.”
“I take it this means you are in fact taking over?”
Carlo’s quiet for a few seconds. “Yes. And it’s not because I believe I owe it to my father, but because I owe it to myself. This is what I wanted when I was growing up, and I need to prove to myself that I’m capable of it.”
“And your last job?” he questions.
“I’ve already begun the process of laicization. It will take time, and the pope makes the final decision, but considering the circumstances—the murder of my father in the rectory of my church and my self-defense case, they are okay letting me live as a layperson.”
George stands up and Carlo follows. “Okay, then.” He extends his hand. “I will organize the initiation ritual, then you can make any announcements afterward. Everyone will know this is an unusual way to get a new boss, but we’ll deal with any questions at the ceremony.”
Carlo nods, shaking his hand. “All right. Let me know where to be and when and I’ll be there.”
I stand and dip my head to George, then together, Carlo and I leave the house and get into his car.
“Well,” I say, once we’re seated. “That was fun to watch.”
Carlo smirks, looking at me as he puts the car in reverse. “We’ll have to discuss if we ever want to let people know about us.”
“I think it’s going to be hard for me to keep my hands off you if you’re gonna keep talking like that when I’m around. I wanted to pounce on you, George be damned.”
Carlo laughs. “You’re turned on by everything.”
“Nah. Just you.”
He reaches over and takes my hand, giving it a small squeeze while he sends me a wink.
“So, I think I’m healed enough to have sex now.”
He laughs. “Oh yeah?”
“You may have to do most of the work, but I’m willing to try it out.”
“Luckily for you, I already made plans for us tonight.”
“Naughty ones?” I question, wiggling my brows.
He grins. “You’ll see.”