18. ~Nico~
18
~Nico~
“You’re right to be afraid, Caterina. You won’t escape me now. You won’t escape yourself. There’s no more hiding.”
I’d meant every fucking word to her that night.
I’d felt every fucking word.
Neither the sentiment nor the conviction had waned since then.
In fact, it was the direct opposite.
I’d finally had her in the way I’d wanted and there was no going back following that. She was buried deep under my skin and I fucking knew it was the same for her.
I’d seen it. All over her face. In her changing actions toward me, the way we conversed.
She was open, softer with me, more trusting.
Of course, with Caterina, it would be a long way and one hell of an uphill battle before that trust would come close to being absolute.
But we’d made great strides, regardless.
She was there with me.
Not just me, she was warming to the boys well, too.
Slowly but surely, she was becoming a part of us.
I had to make it slow, not just for her, but for the boys.
Especially Milo.
Although he’d come around a little when it came to her, he was still on guard and on edge about the whole thing.
And Julian was conflicted. He’d grown fond of her, but like Milo, he worried about the sanctity of our brotherhood. It had been just the three of us for years, for more than a decade now, so altering that and opening it up to another was no small thing.
That was the theme right now. Treading so carefully all around.
Nothing could fall out of balance, nothing could be left unaccounted for, every single thing had to be in line. Or we were all fucking done for.
It was one of the reasons I’d had to do the last thing I’d wanted and step back from Caterina, to give her space.
Milo’s warnings hadn’t fallen on deaf ears like he’d mistakenly believed.
I’d heard him loud and clear.
I honestly just hadn’t wanted to listen initially. I hadn’t wanted it to be true.
But the night of the Santino flesh trade takedown had brought it slamming home to me in an undeniable way.
I cared.
I cared about Caterina Leone to a depth I wasn’t used to outside of the boys.
That night, I’d nearly fucked up the entire mission, my focus being on her rather than it or even the bigger picture surrounding the purpose of carrying out that operation alongside her in the first place. It had been heading that way before she’d even got hurt. I’d been planning to hold back my feral side, which was my greatest asset in a no-holds-barred takedown like that which we’d been walking into. It made me a hell of a combatant. But because of Caterina, I hadn’t wanted to let loose in that way in front of her. And then, when she’d actually gotten hurt, I’d almost thrown the entire plan out the fucking window, wanting to forgo what was best for the mission to see to her.
It had been Milo and Julian who’d had to make me see reason. But they shouldn’t have needed to.
It couldn’t be that way.
I had to be the one in control. Of it all. Of what was coming, of every situation I found myself in. I was the one they were all looking to. With my position as Capo and Prince of the Marchetti Syndicate, it had to be me.
I dragged on my smoke as I leaned against my Ferrari, watching the immediate area, most notably the warehouse, a hundred feet away.
Twenty minutes ago, I’d observed both Marchetti and Leone security arrive and start securing the building for the arrival of the Bosses. I’d parked in a lot several blocks back where I could observe without being seen.
Just in case.
Being called early to a meeting like this wasn’t exactly a comforting thing.
For most, it would be a severe punishment or death sentence. Either an ambush to inflict severe punishment and damage or a straight-up execution.
But as Marco Marchetti’s son, things operated a little different for me. Especially seeing as though he currently needed me to solidify this alliance between him and Santino Leone, one that would exclude the Benzinos this time around, one in which the terms would be reworked.
Although, just because execution was off the table, it didn’t mean there couldn’t be punishment in its place.
Especially with Leo’s words to me playing on my mind.
“You’re pissing me off and threatening to get in the way of what needs to be done here.”
In all likelihood, the only reason said punishment hadn’t been levied upon me already via more brutal means beyond the fact of being forced into marriage was because I was the top earner for the Marchetti Syndicate.
However, with my father—heavily influenced by Leo, no doubt—wishing to make the move into military-grade weapons trading, those earnings would be eclipsed. Of course, it had to be able to go ahead to result in that. Although, knowing Leo’s shortsighted outlook on things, he could start to count his fucked-up chickens before they hatched and rely on that to blow my earnings out of the water and to subsequently destabilize my position and the protection it afforded me and mine in the process.
Nevertheless, I’d clawed my way up to being Capo, and I’d do what needed to be done to smash through the obstacles that stood in my way now, just like I had back then.
Starting with destroying this deal with Malcolm Lynch’s Osiris .
That was being carefully put into motion. This morning I’d strategically leaked intel on the dark web to Levi Knight, wherein he’d soon be able to follow the crumbs and determine that I had what he needed to complete his quest that would, in turn, benefit me and wipe Lynch off the map. It bothered me to no end that I was having to be so careful and move much slower than I liked, because I was in Leo’s and my father’s sights. It was restricting my movements.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I took another drag of my smoke, then pulled it out to see a text.
Milo: Got you covered.
I’d told him I needed to come alone. Having muscle with me would make me look weak after I’d been summoned here. It would make me look fearful and worried about my position in the family, which would raise suspicion.
Nico: No need. Stand down.
Milo: I’m concealed.
I cursed under my breath. This was about the talk he’d had with Julian the other day, about needing to operate differently with what was coming.
Nico: If you’re spotted, we’re done.
Milo: I won’t be, but if I am, I’m just here, as far as they know, to guard against a potential Benzino attack. We’re covering all bases, assuming that they could’ve gotten wind of this unsanctioned meet that flies in the face of the current three families treaty.
I smiled to myself. I’d taught him well.
Nico: Fine.
The sound of vehicles approaching had me scrubbing his texts, then pocketing my phone and stubbing out my cigarette.
A moment later, my father’s flashy silver Jaguar arrived on the scene just outside the warehouse. A sleek, black limo followed its path.
Leo emerged from the front passenger seat of the former, his ponytail swinging with his rapid movements. He rushed around to the driver’s door and opened it, wherein my father then stepped out, adjusting his tie and brushing down his navy Armani suit jacket. He was wearing a navy fedora that he believed added an element of class to his usual stylish appearance. Unlike Leo, his shock of black hair was cut into layers that brushed his shoulders and styled with a whole lot of product.
No form of security followed, but I saw Leo make a show of revealing his weapon nestled in a holster inside his black leather trench coat just as Santino Leone emerged from the limo, his tan wool coat whipping around him with his fluid movements. A handful of years younger than my father’s fifty-eight years, he cut a lanky figure, the way his white silk shirt and his gray dress pants were tailored only serving to emphasize that. His blond hair was slicked back as usual, with far too much gel, giving off a greasy look. And his blue eyes had that usual shrewd look in them whenever he zeroed in on somebody.
He was flanked by four bodyguards. I was expecting his consigliere to emerge next, especially when terms and written agreements were to be worked out at this meeting, a whole lot of diplomacy needed. But instead, that sleazeball with his light-blond hair in one of those Ivy League haircuts that really didn’t pair well with his straggly goatee, Angelo, stepped out. Not even the Underboss, but a Capo who thought he deserved that title and acted like he already had it over the true Underboss, Dante Rivera. He shoved the right side of his gray leather jacket back, non-too-discreetly revealing two Berettas in a holster at either hip. He was in his late-thirties, of average build, barely five-ten and with just a little bulk. But the fucker acted like he was God’s gift. What was I thinking? Like Satan’s gift to all of us demonic motherfuckers.
As they started to exchange pleasantries, or what really was passive-aggressive banter, I slid into my car, then drove over there, pulling up beside my father’s Jaguar.
All eyes were on me as I stepped out and strode over to them, stopping beside my father as was expected.
“Son,” he greeted me, even embracing me, and giving off the impression that he was actually happy to see me, that we had a good and steady relationship. It was all for appearances in front of Santino and his people. We needed to project stability, especially familial stability.
“It’s been too long, Father,” I said, as we broke apart, playing the game as he’d demanded.
“Indeed.”
The pleased look in his eyes almost seemed genuine.
Too genuine for Leo’s liking, as was made clear in the next moment when he tried to push me into breaking through my respectful and polite facade, by telling me with a sly smile, “Good on you, nipote . I took bets with the other Capos that you’d find a way to shirk this meeting. Gio was with me on you trying to worm your way out of this coming marriage, of you embarrassing the family and letting us the fuck down.”
I saw Santino raise an eyebrow, clearly intent on hearing my response, challenging me silently. His little bitch, Angelo, had a whole other idea, shooting daggers at me and looking me up and down with obvious distaste.
I remained calm and focused. For one, there was no way Angelo knew it had been me and mine who’d liberated the hostages and massacred those Leone soldiers. We’d cleaned the area thoroughly, and we’d created scapegoats in those sick buyers. No, his disdain for me was about something else. From my long-time observations of Caterina, I knew it was about her. His affinity for her. There’d actually been talk for a while, whispers that he would be chosen to marry her. But that had all been shot to hell by circumstances at the time, and her severing ties to them. And, of course, both Caterina and her mother’s absolute abhorrence of the predatory fucker. That was what Santino wanted now, though, with his human trafficking operations, somebody with that sort of streak to run things, to stomach things that his Underboss and other Capos clearly couldn’t. Not to mention his Consigliere.
“Nothing to say for yourself, Nico?” Leo pushed, as I stood there, appearing outwardly unaffected. “Are you gonna fuck all over what the Family wants in the name of not being tied down? I mean, you do have an independent streak that I’ve noticed flies in the face of what’s best for our—”
“Basta!” my father snapped at Leo.
I smiled, brushed my father’s shoulder, then spoke, “It’s all right, Father.” I looked out at Santino. “I consider it an honor and a fine responsibility to enter into marriage with your daughter.” I knew I had to take it further than that, but I hated the words as I forced them past my lips, giving him what I knew he wanted, “I also don’t view it as being tied down, especially not when I’ll be the one holding the leash.” I smirked. “Very tightly, I might add.”
Santino’s lip curled.
“She won’t so much as breathe without my permission.”
“Good. She needs a great deal of discipline. She’s enjoyed too much freedom, and that ends with this marriage. As per the contract Marco and I created, you will see to it.”
“I shall.”
“Together, my son and your daughter will continue on the family line, Santino.”
“Yes, their union will unite our families nicely, bind us together, as it should have always been. Without Benzino interference and them riding our coattails.” He screwed up his face. “Doing business with that motorcycle club and then those Red Vipers upstarts… it sickens me.” He sucked in a breath and told my father, “Your beloved son and my most prized possession in Caterina. Once she is broken in, she will serve him well.”
Prized possession.
Broken in.
My gut twisted at his words. But outwardly, my only reaction was a dutiful nod of agreement.
“I’m glad you’re rising to the occasion, Nico,” Leo spoke to me. “My apologies for the test earlier.”
“I’d expect nothing less from my father’s second.” Piece of shit.
“The breaking in begins on your wedding night,” Angelo uttered all of a sudden. “Something that will take place at the Leone Estate, also the wedding venue.”
“We’d discussed the Marchetti family home as the wedding venue,” my father spoke. “And the wedding night would be between Nico and Caterina at his home.”
Angelo shook his head. “It will now occur within our… earshot, shall we say? Her humiliation and shattering is her punishment for turning her back on the Family, as well as a wake-up call that she is to fall in line going forward. She will do her duty and with a true monster like you bound to her by marriage, Nico, she’ll suffer as she deserves.”
I shoved my hands into the pockets of my leather jacket, hiding them as I clenched them tightly, trying to swallow down Angelo’s demented demands. Not to mention the fact that Santino was nodding along and even smiling sadistically as his daughter’s despicable fate was laid out.
My father caught my eye, and I saw he didn’t like it. He had his faults now, but he’d loved my mother and always showed her the respect and care that she’d deserved. He’d loved her so deeply that losing her had fucked him up. Hence this mess that we were in now with these insane decisions he was making.
“We had an agreement, Marco,” Santino pushed when my father didn’t speak to it and instead stood glaring at him.
Tensions ramped up and Santino’s guards brushed their holstered weapons.
My father drew in a breath, then told Santino, “The wedding—day and night—will occur as you wish, but beyond that is Nico’s purview as her husband. There will be no further interference there.”
“Agreed,” Santino spoke, reaching for my father’s hand.
They shook firmly, then a phone started ringing, and I looked to see Angelo pulling his out and answering, striding away from us.
I listened in carefully while appearing as though I was focusing on Santino, Leo, and my father starting to talk about how this meeting was about to lay out.
“No mercy. Those fuckers stole from us and murdered our own. Make it fucking hurt, then take their miserable lives. Boss wants footage. Yeah, good. Move in.”
He hung up and caught Santino’s eye, then the latter held up his hand to us and went to him. “You have those pieces of shit?”
Angelo nodded. “My soldiers are moving in now. I’m also getting you some footage so you can take your pleasure. Some comfort after losing our goods.”
A strange look passed between them and it looked like Angelo was going to reach out to him, but he blinked, then stepped back instead and cleared his throat. “We’ll get our vengeance.”
“Good. Monitor the situation during the summit.”
“Of course.”
Leo suddenly stepped into my path as I was pretending to stare into space toward him and my father. I blinked and looked out at him.
“Dreaming about all the sick and twisted things you’re gonna do to your new bride?”
Before I could dignify that with an answer, my father was there, clamping his hand down on Leo’s shoulder. “Leave him be. It’s distasteful enough as it is without harping on it.”
“The wedding night shit that those fuckers want?” Leo asked, keeping a lookout at Santino and Angelo in the distance who’d now moved further away as they strategized for this meeting.
“What else?” my father responded.
“I thought you might have been referring to Nico settling down. As much as he hid it so fucking well in front of them, he’s clearly not down for it.”
“He’s doing his duty.” My father eyed me as he came up on his younger brother’s side. “Get that girl pregnant as soon as possible if you want her to survive this. The Leones might not care for women the way we do, but they do draw the line at children. She’ll be safe if she’s carrying your child.”
“Is this really where we’re at?” I said. “Choosing the Leones over the Benzinos knowing this is how they treat their own blood in Caterina? His own daughter, Father?”
“It’s worse than you know where that’s concerned,” my father admitted to me.
“What do you mean?”
“You think I don’t know what that call they were discussing is all about?”
“And that is?” I asked, playing it clueless.
He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Regardless, this is where we’re at. Sometimes you need to make deals with despicable devils.”
“We were already allied with them anyway,” Leo pointed out. “Just cutting out the Benzinos now.”
“The stabilizing influence that prevented these sorts of sick and twisted things from happening,” I said. There had been lines before. Now there clearly weren’t any.
Honor was long fucking gone.
“That’s already been shot to hell with these arms deals we’ve been working, so we had to pivot,” Leo said. “Told you that already, so get the fuck on board. We’re gonna come out on top. Don’t you worry about that.” He stepped up to me and fingered my jacket. “Until then, and in this meeting in a few, suck it up like a good little boy.”
I glared steadily back at him.
“I’ve already proven that I’m doing that by agreeing to this marriage.”
“Hmm, true. You did take to that better than I’d expected.”
“Of course, I did. I want to prove myself to the Family.” I looked out at my father. “To you.”
He smiled. “You are my son. I’d expect nothing less.” He glared at Leo. “No more antagonizing him. Especially not during the meeting.”
Hmm. That was why he’d been so diplomatic toward me.
He was worried about what I’d do. I had a great deal of influence. I was respected as Capo and as a powerhouse in the Marchetti Syndicate.
Leo being the exception.
Well, and his pet Capo, Giovanni, of course.
He was concerned I’d use that sway.
Or, possibly, do worse than that with my feral side.
Fortunately for them, it wasn’t time yet.
This meeting today, binding our two families together, was meant to ward off all-out war after both Marco and Santino had fucked all over the truce with their recent dealings.
And maybe it would protect them for a while by joining together, making it harder for the Benzinos to make a move against them. Or, as they clearly really intended, putting the Benzinos off doing anything at all, knowing they’d be outmatched.
But they only had their eyes on that situation.
They didn’t see the danger right there in front of them.
Me.
Another war was on the horizon.
And it would be one that neither family would survive.