Chapter 11
Axl
I ran straight up stairs to clean up and change clothes when we made it back to the house.
I didn’t want Monica or the others to see Michel’s blood on my t-shirt or hands.
After throwing on a fresh shirt and jeans, I went back downstairs to the den where everyone was gathered.
Monica saw me first when I entered. She rose from her seat and walked over to me.
“Everything, okay?” She asks looking worried.
Gripping her hip, I pull her close to me then kiss her cheek. “Yeah, it’s good. Don’t worry your pretty little head, okay?”
She remains quiet as she stares deep into my eyes before replying, “Okay, Axl. Just be careful.”
“I will, love.”
I know she was curious about what happened after we left the house but she knew if she asked, I wouldn’t tell her. There were aspects of this life that a wife didn’t need to know about and if I could shield her or Ladybug from it then that’s what I was going to do.
Monica wrapped her arm around my back as we stood observing everyone congregating. Laughter and unity surrounding us.
Leaning down to Monica’s ear I whisper, “So, how are the new wives and fiancé’?”
She giggles placing her hand on my chest. “They’re really nice, Axl.
Brigette owns an interior decorating company.
She was showing us some of her designs and Axl, they are amazing.
Melinda has a PhD in Forensic Science but she’s put that on the back burner to take care of her kids, which I don’t blame her.
Did you see that cute little Milly! Now, India, she took us for a loop when she told us her story. ”
That piqued my interest because anyone dealing with Davide was either crazy or being held against their free will. “What do you mean?”
“Well, apparently her father is some head honcho in Nigeria but an asshole too who treated India like shit. India is actually the princess of her family’s tribe.
Long story short her father tried to get over on Davide who kidnapped India to get back at him.
She hated Davide at first but he threw on his charm and they fell in love.
Now the father has been trying to get her back. Crazy right?”
“Indeed” I respond looking over at Davide and India. You could tell he really loved India by the way he was so attentive with her. Maybe the prick had a heart after all. “I’m glad you ladies are getting along because it appears that we will be doing business with their husbands in the near future.”
“That’s fine with me because I like them. They fit in with our crazy tribe.” Monica states still watching over everyone. “I noticed the tension between you and Davide, will that be a problem?”
I let out a deep breath. “As long as he keeps his cocky ass away from me then we won’t have a problem.”
“Really, Axl? India gave us a little background on him and what I learned is he is a lot like you so maybe that is where the tension lies...you’re too much alike.”
Now I chuckle because there was no way Davide and I could ever be alike. Davide was cocky, full of himself and liked to be noticed where I didn’t like attention unless it was necessary and I was humble. So, there was no fucking way we were alike.
“No, love we are definitely not alike.” I say as I clasp her hand in mine and walk further into the room.
“Excuse me everyone.” I say raising my voice over the chatter.
Once it’s quiet I continue. “I want to thank you all for being here, it means a lot to me and my family.’ Rounds of agreements are heard around the room.
“But if I can have the gentlemen join me in the game room for a quick meeting, I promise this won’t take but a minute. ”
Since I was first to enter the game room, I leaned up against the pool table and watched as the men filled the room.
Some sat in the chairs or bar stools while the others stood around.
I was about to go close the door when the last person to enter was Dominique.
Max shook his head when I glared at him with a confused look.
“Dominique, you don’t have to be here.” I say as I stride towards her.
She clasps her hands in front of her squaring her shoulders.
“You’re right, Axl. I don’t have to be here but I chose to be.
No disrespect but I think I could be of service to you.
The expression on your face when I told you who I once was lets me know you’ve heard the stories about me.
I think you’d be surprised by what we have in common.
” She ends lifting the corners of her mouth.
Other than killing our targets, I’m not sure what we’d have in common but I’m curious to know so I ask, “And what is it that we have in common, Dominique?”
“Not a what, Axl but a whom.” She whispers looking amused.
The only person she and I had in common was Max so I’m confused.
Different faces run through my mind as I try to figure out who she could be talking about.
Then it hits me. The stories I’ve heard about her as Ghost and how she took down those men tonight, now makes sense.
I gawk at her with wide eyes as she smiles.
Fucking unbelievable! The person we had in common was Rikisi!
Clearing my throat, I lowly say, “We’ll discuss this later, you’re welcome to stay.”
Dominique nods as she passes me going over to take a seat next to Max on the couch. There was no way I could deny her of being a part of this. She was a one-woman killing machine and to be honest I was honored to have her on my side.
Closing the door, I take a deep breath before facing everyone. “This shit needs to end and it needs to end now! I want Giovanni and Gian dead within the next forty-eight hours. There will not be a repeat of what happened tonight!”
Pointing to Felix and Marco I tell them, “I want a feed on Giovanni and Gian’s houses, matter of fact I want it on the whole fucking city. Giovanni couldn’t have left the city. Gian is injured so he probably went to wherever the old man is to report what happened.”
“Axl” Dominique calls.
“Yeah” I answer.
“You shouldn’t have any trouble finding Gian. When I grabbed his shirt to clean my knife, I slid a small tracker in his pocket.” She holds a look of triumph. That damn Ghost.
“Can you go with Felix and Marco to father’s office and see where his weasel ass is at?” I ask with a smirk.
“Gladly.” She replies standing.
“We’ll be back with the info.” Felix says before the three of them leave.
After their gone, Luca asks, “Why would she have a tracker on her?”
Davide is quick to answer before I could utter a word. “Because my friend, my little sister is the infamous Ghost and even though she has been out of the game for a while some habits are hard to break.”
Luca and Matteo mouths drop. I guess they’ve heard the stories of Ghost too.
“But I thought the Ghost was a man?” Matteo murmurs.
“We all did.” I state wondering if Rikisi trained Davide too. He did go by the name The Silent Killer...shit!
Adam speaks next. “So, if they get a bead on Gian’s location what’s the plan?”
“I have a feeling if we find Gian, we’ll find Giovanni. The plan will be to take them and their men out. Eliminate all who stand against us.” I reply with conviction.
“We got it!” Felix says with enthusiasm as he rushes through the door. “That son of a bitch is at Giovanni’s house!”
“Bingo” Nolan shouts.
“We can get both their asses now!” Felix declares.
“Wait!” Adam barks. “We can’t just march right in there. You’ve seen the security Giovanni has.”
Father clutches his shoulder. “That is true son but I grew up in that estate. I know every ins and outs of the place. Some my father doesn’t know about himself.”
“Are you sure you can still remember them because it’s been a long time since you were young, father?” Felix asks trying not to laugh.
Father leers at him. “Are you implying that I’m old, son? Because if you are, I can show you what this old man can do.” He makes a move towards Felix. Even I have to laugh at the panicked look on Felix’s face.
“No, that’s not what I was implying!” Felix yells as he starts to back up. “I’m just saying Giovanni might have changed things since you were younger! Adam, come get father before he hurts himself!”
Father stops in his tracks and lets out a roar of a laughter.
“Really, Felix you’re going to call on your little brother?
” He bends over laughing more. When he’s somewhat composed, he stands upright.
“Trust me, son, Giovanni hasn’t done anything to that estate.
When I was there last year, my escape routes where still there. ”
Glancing at Luca, Matteo and Davide, I ask, “How long will it take you to get your stuff together?”
“We’ll probably need about an hour.” Luca responds.
“Do we need to bring our men?” asks Davide.
“No, I think with the men” I look over at Dominique. “and lady in the room, we have enough to carry out what we need to do. Having too many people will definitely bring unwanted attention our way. Father, is there a place we can hide the vehicles without being detected?”
He nods. “I know just the spot.”
For the next half hour, we set our plan in motion. This was going to be a showdown and only the true Don of the Romano family was going to walk away. With the people backing me my family, my new allies and even Davide’s cocky ass, there was no doubt in my mind I would be that Don.