Chapter 4 #3
“I definitely will. So, Axl, as it is understood your father has appointed you as the head of the Romano family. Congrats to that but can you tell us a little about you?”
I sit back getting comfortable in the cushioned chair before answering Matteo.
“As you know, I am Axl Salvant-Romano, first born son of Andres Romano. I’m from the states and own several businesses.
I have worked with my father for the last almost eleven years so I know the ins and outs of the business.
I’m married with a daughter and I have two younger brothers who are my partners. ”
Luca and Matteo nod as Davide sits with a blank expression before he starts to play with butter knife on the table.
“Here’s the thing young Romano...you see Luca, Matteo and I, oh by the way I’m Davide, have known each other since we were sneaking behind our fathers to eavesdrop on these types of meetings.
In the whole time I have known Andres, I’m just now hearing about you.
Where did you come from?” Davide asks looking at me with a smirk.
I side eye father who nods before I answer him.
“Unlike the three of you who had the pleasure of sneaking behind your fathers, I lived with my mother and stepfather until I was sixteen then my father took me from the only home I knew. From there I was trained to be a killer, a deadly one at that.” I glance at each of the three.
“As far as where I came from, that’s simple, I came from my father’s nut sack which is why I’m here. ”
Luca and Matteo gape at me with surprised expressions as Davide gives an evil grin. Shit, they wanted the truth and that’s what they got. I wasn’t gonna sugar coat shit for them. It was all or nothing and if they didn’t like the truth then fuck ‘em.
Luca was about to speak but was silenced when the series of knocks rapped on the door.
Mario got up from the couch and asked who was there.
I heard a voice from the other side but could not make out what they were saying.
Seconds later Mario opened the door and entered an elderly man with a greasy looking man behind him.
Just from his looks I knew it was Old Man Romano, my grandfather. He had our features and held himself with authority. His round stomach entered the room before he did. In his right hand was a black and gold cane.
“Accogliendo Giovanni Romano all’incontro (Introducing Giovanni Romano to the meeting).” Mario announces.
Giovanni walks further into the room and stops at the head of the table opposite from Davide then takes a seat. His man stands behind him.
“Grazie, Mario per l’introduzione. Lo sapete tutti, Regilo (Thank you, Mario for the introduction. You all know, Regilo).” Giovanni says taking his hat off then placing it on the table.
“Ce l'hai fatta giusto in tempo, Giovanni (You’ve made it just in time, Giovanni).” Luca Sr harshly says.
“Così, sembra (So, it appears).” Giovanni says, looking around the room.
“Piacere di averti con noi, Don Romano (Nice to have you with us, Don Romano).” Davide greets. Ass kisser.
“Grazie per avermi fatto. Non me lo perderei per niente al mondo. Non capita tutti i giorni che tuo figlio chiamiil suo bastardo come capo della tua famiglia (Thank you for having me. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.
It’s not every day your son names his bastard as head of your family).
” Giovanni states glaring at Father. I hold my composure but inside I want to jump across the table and slice his fucking throat.
“è bello vederti, Andres. Mi aspettavo che venissi a casa dopo il tuo arrivo (Good to see you, Andres.
I expected you to come by the house after you arrived).
“Father” Father simply says. “I would have but I was spending time with my family.” Giovanni eyebrow raises as he glances at me then back at father. “Also, could you please speak in English? Axl doesn’t speak Italian as of yet, thank you.”
Giovanni vacantly stares at me before erupting into a fit of laughter. “So, the person you have chosen to run my family can’t speak our language?” His large belly shakes as he continues to laugh. Now I really want to jump across the table. The words ‘fuck you’ sit on the edge of my tongue.
“Stavo pensando la stessa cosa. Come pensa di condurre affari con i nostri contatti se non riesce a parlare la lingua (I was thinking the same thing. How does he plan to conduct business with our contacts if he can’t speak the language)?
” Davide queries crossing his large arms across his chest. “Potrebbe essere un male per gli affari (It might be bad for business).
I eyeball his smug ass from behind my sunglasses. I can see he is going to be a problem.
“My son will not have a problem conducting business. Should he require someone to accompany him to translate I will be there to do so.” Father interjects.
“Look the purpose of this meeting is to formally introduce my son to the three of you as the new Don Romano. I know without a doubt he can do great things with our family. So, now that you have formally met him, do you accept Axl Salvant-Romano as the new head of the Romano family?” Father asks with a stern voice.
I know his patience was running thin like mine.
As if on cue, father’s cellphone begins to ring.
He takes it out his pocket and looks at the screen.
“Excuse me but I have to take this call.” He says before standing then stepping into the hallway.
With the planned fake call so he could leave, that left me in the room with these upstanding gentlemen by myself.
Since they thought I couldn’t speak Italian, the plan was to see what they really had to say about me.
“Is the bar open?” I ask.
“Sì, I mean yes, help yourself.” Luca answers.
“Thanks” I return before getting up and going to get a drink.
“Allora, cosa ne pensate voi signori (So, what do you gents think)? I hear Matteo quiz behind me.
“Mi sembra che stia bene. Voglio dire, se Andres lo curato allora non dovrebbe avere un problema di transizione (He seems fine to me. I mean if Andres groomed him then he shouldn’t have a problem transitioning).” Luca replies.
“Davide” Luca says.
I watch from the corner of my eye as Davide closes his eyes, shrugging his shoulders before replying, “A me non importa, a patto che non rotolare i miei soldi, non avremo problemi.
Ma non commettere errori, testa o no lo ucciderò se lo fa.
(Doesn't matter to me, as long as he doesn't disrupt my money then we won't have any problems. But make no mistake, head or not I will kill him if he does). Yeah, he and I were gonna bump heads.
“Matteo” Davide throws out.
“Sono a posto (I’m cool).” He answers.
“Non posso credere che voi tre lascereste che qualche bastardo sconosciuto prenda il controllo della mia famiglia (I can't believe the three of you would let some unknown bastard take over my family).” Giovanni hisses, causing my back to stiffen.
“Mi sembra, Giovanni, ti stai dimenticando che questo bastardo sconosciuto, come lo chiami tu, ha il tuo sangue nelle sue vene. Non è suo diritto di nascita guidare la sua famiglia (It seems to me, Giovanni you are forgetting that this unknown bastard, as you call him, has your blood running through his veins. Is it not his birth right to lead his family)?” Alessandro calmly asks looking down at his fingernails.
The bartender slides me my glass of Pinot Grigio. I give him ten dollars in euro as a tip. Picking up the glass I walk back over to the table and retake my seat. I take a sip before sitting it on the table. Turning to Davide, I ask, “Is there anything I need to know?”
He smirks. “No, we were just discussing the weather. So how are you liking our city, of course it’s not as big as the cities in the states.”
This lying motherfucker I think to myself but it’s cool I’ll play along. “From what I’ve seen so far it’s genuinely nice and peaceful. I look forward to coming back soon to do business or for a vacation.” Giovanni grunts. “Is that a problem, grandfather?” I ask sarcastically.
Before he can answer Father re-enters the room. “Sorry about that, business never ends as you all know.” He sits in his chair. “Now where were we...oh yes, do you gentlemen accept my son as the new Don Romano?”
I watch as Giovanni’s knuckles turn white as he tightly grips the top of his cane when Luca and Matteo said yes at the same time. It took him a few seconds but Davide finally voiced his approval.
“Thank you” I tell them, not that I had to because I was fucking Don Romano regardless of if they accepted me or not. Giovanni murmurs something under his breath.
“What was that, Father?”
“I’m sorry I thought I spoke louder. I was inviting you and your entire family to dinner tomorrow night.” Giovanni replies.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Father returns as he stands. I follow suit.
“Ma insist (But I insist).” The old man counters with an evil smirk.
Father regards him before saying with an irritated tone, “What time?”
The old man smiles harder knowing he has gotten his way. “Six o’clock sharp.” Father turns and walks to the door.
“It was nice meeting you gentlemen and I look forward to doing business with you in the future.” I say to Luca, Matteo and Davide before exiting. There was a new Don in town and it would not be wise if Giovanni or anyone else got in my way because I will snatch their fucking souls.