4. Chapter 3
Tucker
“Let’s have a seat and get business out of the way so we can enjoy the welcome feast we have planned for tonight.
” Lucian walked behind his desk and had a seat while Apollo and I took the seats opposite him.
“I apologize for Sandro not being here with us. He and his team are on a job at the moment but they’ll be here tonight.
Tucker, you’ll be working with Sandro and his lieutenants.
I feel it’s important that the next level of leadership learns to work together from the start. ”
“That’s understandable. I figure they are well underway on their initiations since theirs would be longer than Tucker’s.”
Lucian smiled. “Yes. The boys started their initiation in the fall and will take the blood oath to the family this summer with Tucker.” His smile grew as he looked between us.
“So, let’s begin our negotiations.” Apollo gave him a nod.
“I expect Tucker to work with Sandro’s team, collecting dues, performing patrols, delivering…
messages. He will be expected to help in any interrogations needed,” he licked his lips gleefully, “and we have some that need to happen soon. He’ll also dispose of a body, as well as assisting us in making sure our girls are ready for the brothel opening. ”
“I have to interject there.” Apollo repositioned in his seat. “You know the Givenchy family has high regards for the sanctity of marriage. Even though the wedding hasn’t happened yet, because he’s promised to Arianna, we consider that commitment just as sacred.”
“Yes. It is one of the things I admire about your family.” Coming from Lucian, that sounded like high praise. “I will not expect the boy to sully his commitment. He will not be required to penetrate the women, but… there are other ways he can participate.”
Even if my face didn’t show my emotions, I’m sure that my voice wouldn’t have sounded as bored as Apollo’s when he asked, “Meaning?”
“Meaning he will be expected to help in making sure the women are cooperative during the session. If they do their jobs willingly, he’ll simply stand to the side and witness. If they don’t, he’ll be expected to restrain them, and aid in the reminder of who they belong to.”
Lucian’s answer was vague as fuck, but he had promised I wouldn’t have to rape any of the women, so I guess that was a win.
When no one interjected again, he continued. “His final task will be the same as the others as well. He will need to eliminate someone. After that’s completed, he’ll take the blood oath.”
Apollo cocked his head to the side. “The blood oath signifies he’s initiating into your family, which he’s not doing.”
“The oath will be modified for him, but I insist he participates as the oath shows his loyalty and allegiance. It will happen right after the final test.”
Apollo’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t argue. “I must insist that Zephyr, as the official head of our family, be present for that.”
The flare of Lucian’s nostrils said he didn’t like that. “Outsiders are not allowed in on sacred family affairs.”
We didn’t have a lot of wiggle room because in the end, Lucian held all the power.
That’s why I was a little surprised that he kept going.
“Because we were not made aware that he was going to be required to take the blood oath, which is a huge fucking deal, I feel it’s only fair to insist that the head of our family be present. ”
What surprised me even more was that Lucian caved.
“Fine. Zephyr can be there.” Lucian’s attention turned to me.
“Now, initiates don’t get to know their tasks before they’re given, so if this leaves this room, I’ll know I can’t trust you and our alliance will be off.
The only reason you get to know ahead of time is because of the nature of our family alliance.
A representative of your family has the right to negotiate terms the same as if I were initiating someone from one of the other four families in a way to create a coalition. ”
I gave him a brief nod, leaving my head in a bowed position to show respect, my eyes lowered. “Understood.”
“Perfect.” There was a knock on the door. “Come in.”
One of the security that had been posted outside the door popped his head in. “Sorry to interrupt, boss, but I’ve just been notified that Mr. Vitale and his lieutenants have just arrived back at the estate.”
“Excellent. Send them this way immediately and we’ll get introductions out of the way.”
The guard gave a nod. “Yes, sir.”
“If they’re back already, they must have not run into any trouble.
That’s exciting.” Lucian looked at Apollo and I with a wide smile.
“While there’s a while before we have to consider a transfer in power, the fact that people are already showing Alessandro the respect he deserves as my heir means I’ve been running my organization right and there shouldn’t be issues when the day comes that he takes over. ”
Apollo gave a nod. “I understand. It’s always nice to see when the future of our family is able to hold their own and show a competency that can only be carefully molded.”
While Apollo might have been more of the muscle of our family instead of the diplomat or figurehead, he was well versed in the art of appeasing someone to weaken their defenses.
There was a quick knock at the door before it opened and Sandro walked in, two guys flanking him. His eyes met mine, then Apollo, before landing on his father again. Apollo and I stood in a show of respect as the guys made their way into the room.
Sandro dipped his head in respect to Apollo. “Mr. Givenchy.” Then he turned to his father. “Don Vitale.”
I was really glad that I didn’t have to live in this world of formalities. It was exhausting for the short amount of time I visited, so I couldn’t imagine living it full-time.
Lucian gave him a nod and motioned for everyone to sit.
“I appreciate the formality, son, but this is an informal setting. I just wanted you to introduce your lieutenants to your future brother-in-law. He will be working in your crew for his initiation, so I was thinking that maybe after the feast tonight, you four could go out to one of our establishments and blow off some steam together.”
Sandro gave him a nod, then turned to me. “Nice to see you again, Tucker.”
I returned the gesture. “You as well.”
A man with dark brown hair that was pulled back into a man bun stepped forward.
His beard was scraggly and I was surprised Lucian didn’t make him trim it considering every other man I saw in the organization seemed to keep their facial hair well styled.
“This is Marco Barone. He is my cousin and right hand man. While you are not officially part of the Vitale family organization, your rank is equal to his.”
I gave a nod and reached out to shake his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“You too.”
The other guy stepped up. His hair was black as coal, much like Sandro’s, but instead of the controlled style of my future brother-in-law, this man’s hair looked like a curly mess.
At least his face was clean shaven. He was also as big as a fucking house.
“This is Elio Costa. He is my enforcer. Technically you outrank him, or, will once the wedding happens, but I expect that you’ll show him the respect his title deserves, just as he’ll show you the same. ”
“Of course.” I reached out a hand to Elio. “Pleasure.”
He took my outstretched hand, and the squeeze he gave it was tight, but I made sure I didn’t flinch. Not that he would have seen. His head was bowed. But I knew Sandro’s eyes never left my expression. Same for Lucian.
Lucian gave a quick clap of his hands. “Excellent. Now, I’ll have Marco and Elio show you to your rooms. The two of you and your security will share a wing.
Your security has already been shown to their quarters and been briefed on our expectations of them by our security.
I’m going to debrief the mission with my son, and we’ll see you all at the feast in an hour. ”
Apollo reached out to shake Lucian’s hand as I bowed my head to him. “We’re looking forward to it. You always put on the best welcome parties.”
As we left the office, Marco led the way. “You all are being put up on the south wing.”
We stayed in the same wing and rooms every time, so it’s not like it was a surprise at this point.
Having spent a couple of weeks here every summer for the last eight years meant I was no longer that little boy that first walked in the door, ready to meet his future wife at the ripe age of ten.
I’d learned my way around this maze of an estate, and even knew where all of the cameras and secret passages were.
Sean and Greg followed behind, never leaving Apollo or I by ourselves while on Vitale property. While if Lucian decided to make a move against us while we were here as his guests would unleash more problems for him than solutions, we could never be too careful.
As we approached our rooms, Marco finally turned back to us. “I assume you know which rooms are yours?”
Apollo nodded. “Yes. Thank you.”
Marco bowed his head in respect. “Of course. We’ll see you in an hour.”
Apollo and I both walked into my room, Sean and Greg following behind us. When the door was shut, Greg spoke. “We’ve made sure the devices are set in all of the rooms. These rooms should be safe zones for the remainder of our time here as there will always be people posted in this hallway.”
“Good.” Apollo moved to the table and chair stationed by the window and poured himself a finger of bourbon that was waiting for us. While I wasn’t twenty-one yet, and not often allowed to drink, my dad and uncles were a little lenient and allowed me a drink here and there. “What about Arianna?”
“Vitale security said that she will be staying in her old room until the wedding night, then she will be in here with Tucker. I fear that with her not being on this wing of the house, putting a device in her room would be us crossing a boundary, but if it’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do.”
Apollo shook his head. “No. We don’t want to start any issues.
” He turned to me. “If you want any alone time with her for private conversations, do so here. But only conversations. Please, for the love of God, keep it in your pants. It’s only about a month and a half until you’re free from this purity restraint. ”
I rolled my eyes. “I know the expectations.”
“Knowing them and following them are two different things.” He lifted a brow before taking a sip of his drink.
“Now, I want to discuss Sandro and his lieutenants. While your dad and I would love you and Sandro to be close and be able to work well together, remember that he is his fathers son. While he may not be as bad as Lucian, his loyalty will always lie with the Vitale family, not with you.”
“I know. I’m pretty sure that he or his guys will ask me what else is in store for initiation and report back to his father.
” Otherwise, I don’t think Lucian would have made sure to mention that it was confidential.
I mean, it’s not like people didn’t talk about their initiations after they were initiated, and since Sandro grew up here, he had to know what to expect.
“I’m glad you caught on to that tidbit. There will be tests this entire summer.
Tests for your loyalty. I expect they’ll come from both Lucian and Sandro.
There’s a chance that Sandro will want to see that you’re loyal to him over his father.
That will be a tricky tight rope to walk, but I’m here to help when you need it.
If you have to make a decision on the fly, my default would be to follow the orders of the big boss, but don’t rat out the heir.
Even if it seems like you’re proving your loyalty to Lucian by talking, remember that snitches don’t get stitches. They get concrete boots.”
He wasn’t wrong. I mean, I had no intentions of ever ratting out Sandro because I knew that even though his allegiance was with his father, he’d proven to me over the past few years that he was looking out for Ari, even if it meant defying his father.
I didn’t for a second think that Lucian would have been okay with him telling Ari that her father was going to have a blood test done to make sure she wasn’t on birth control.
Lucian loved the element of surprise, and if he enjoyed testing people, what better way to see if we were sticking to our end of the deal than by springing that on us at the last second.
“Understood.”
Apollo gave me a nod then downed the rest of his drink. “Good. I’m heading to my room to check in with Becky, then I’m going to shower and get ready for tonight. Remember that you don’t have to wear a suit jacket, but dress pants, a button up, and a tie will be expected.”
As soon as they’d left my room, I slumped down into the chair. This was going to be a long summer.