Chapter 4
Davide
It has been ten years since the night Ghost was named.
Over the years that followed, Dominique begged papa to let her become one of his assassins only to be disappointed every time he denied her request. Papà wanted her to finish her studies and pursue a degree in law, but I knew that was not where her heart was.
So, against his wishes, she began to take on jobs without his knowledge.
I was the only person she shared her secret with, and I was furious at her when she first told me.
I couldn’t believe my little sister had become a hired hitwoman.
I threatened to tell Papà, but when she told me she had already been on ten successful hits, I was floored.
I didn’t want to betray her trust and tell papà her secret, so I had to do a lot of talking and pleading to her.
He needed to know what she was up to, and I’d be damned if she got hurt on one of her jobs.
Papà would beat my ass for keeping something like this from him.
Dominique was so adamant about not telling him, she left me no other choice but to pull my rank as future Don.
If looks could kill, I would have been dead from the way her eyes burned into me.
Honestly, I think the foundation of the house shook from Papà’s voice, as he yelled his displeasure. Momma Calista ran into the office with a look of worry.
“Alessandro, why are you yelling like that?” She asks, searching his eyes.
Papà walks over to her, then bends down to kiss her cheek. “My apologies, love, I just got a little excited. Everything is fine. Let me continue my conversation with them, and I will join you shortly.”
She eyes him suspiciously. “Are you sure, because you sounded angry.”
“I’m sure, love.” He reassures her as he caresses her cheek. Momma Calista glances at Dominique and me with a slight smile before exiting the room.
What Papà failed to realize was yes, in the beginning, he thought he was only having Dominique trained for her protection, but he had no idea that his sweet, innocent quello piccolo would turn out to be one of the most feared assassins in the world.
The name Ghost was starting to ring bells among the families.
People assumed the Ghost was a man, and I’m sure just like them, he did the same.
“Sit down,” Papà sternly says, pointing to the two chairs in front of his desk.
As we take our seats, he walks over to the bar and pours up a shot of cognac.
He swallows it down in one gulp before pouring another.
He then places the top back on the decanter.
With the glass in hand, he comes to take a seat in his chair.
Moments pass as he leisurely takes sips from his drink.
“You know I heard stories about this assassin they referred to as Ghost. The name was even brought up at my last meeting with the Dons. Luca had mentioned he tried to acquire the services of this Ghost and was denied, Matteo as well. It was as if this Ghost person was just that a ghost, but his name still floated around. Families were beginning to speculate who this person really was. Of course, when I first heard the name, I thought back to many years ago when I gave it to my quello piccolo.” Papà swirls the liquor around in the glass, “But... I knew it could not have been her because I forbade her from doing such a thing.” His eyes train in on Dominique, who sits up straight in her chair.
“And now, I’m being told my quello piccolo has gone against my orders.
Why, child? Why would you disobey me after I’ve repeatedly told you no?
” Papà’s face reflects emotions of sadness and anger.
“This is not what I wanted for you, Dominique. Had I known this would have been the outcome of your training, I never would have done it. I would have just kept security on you twenty-four seven.”
“But that’s just it, Papà. You didn’t create an assassin.
You did what you were supposed to do as far as me knowing how to protect myself.
Me doing what I’m doing now is all on me, it has nothing to do with you.
I chose to do what I do because I’m good at it.
I never wanted to defy you, papà, but I had to do what was best for me, and at this moment, it is being an assassin. ”
“Don’t you understand, quello piccolo once people find out who you are, they will come for you?” Papà tries to convey to her.
“They won’t, Papà. I have been really careful.
All of my jobs are screened, which is why I haven’t taken any from the Dons.
I have built a small team who I trust, and together we chose which jobs I take.
” Dominique informs. That was a surprise to hear.
She didn’t mention to me this team of hers.
“Please, Papà, don’t make me quit. I’ll do whatever you want me to, but please don’t take away something that I’m good at.
” She gives him that pouty expression that has let her get her way so many times before, but I don’t know if it will help now.
Papà eyes her, before taking another sip of his drink, and to my disbelief, he says, “Fine.”
Dominique grins from ear to ear. “But...I want all the information on this little team you have assembled, and you will only work for me. No outside jobs.”
The grin fades from Dominique’s face. “Wait, but Papà, no one knows about my team, and they like it that way. Plus, I’m a hired-out assassin, these people pay me top dollar for a job, which I pay my team with. I can’t tell my team from now on we’ll be doing jobs for my Papà for free!”
“No one said it would be free, quello piccolo. I will continue to pay you your fee so your team will be compensated. The way I see it is if I send you on jobs, then I know what you’re up to.
This way, it’s a win-win, no? You can continue to do what you love, and I can breathe a sigh of relief when you return home. ”
“But...” Dominique starts.
“No buts Dominique! It’s either you do it my way, or I will shut all your shit down. You have defied me once, do you care to do it again?” Papà slams his fist on the desk, squinting his eyes at her. Hell, I even had to swallow hard on that one.
Dominique hangs her head in defeat. “No, Papà.”
“Very well,” He sighs, sitting his glass on the coaster on the desk. “Oh, and as an added precaution, you will report to Davide before and after each job.”
She gasps, whipping her head in my direction.
I ignore her, as I continue to focus on papà.
I thought that was a brilliant idea. Just like Papà, I would be able to breathe a sigh of relief when her mission was completed.
Don’t get me wrong, I had total faith in Dominique’s abilities.
I’ve seen what she could do and the fact that she started training with Rikisi a year before I did, there was no doubt in my mind she would walk away unscathed but being her big brother, I would always worry about her.
So, I wasn’t going to argue with her or papà about his decision.
“Do you agree to these terms, quello piccolo?”
She lowers her head. “I agree,” she murmurs between clenched teeth.
“Ah Ah quello piccolo. When you enter an agreement with someone, you always look them straight in the eyes to let them know you mean what you say.”
Dominique raises her head, locking eyes with him. “I agree, Papà.”
“Very well, Davide will give you the information on your next hit. Everything you and your team will need will be provided to you.”
She nods. “May I go now?”
“Yes, you may go.” He answers. Dominique stands, getting ready to leave when he stops her. “Quello piccolo, you will keep this information from your momma. It would break her heart if she found what you’ve chosen as your new profession.”
She gives a sad look before whispering, “Yes, Papà.”
I watch her as she quietly opens the door, then exits.
In a way, I did feel bad for her. I know how much it meant to her to have her independence, but now she must feel like it has been somewhat taken away.
The way I saw it, this was just a minor setback.
Papà wasn’t asking for much, and she really wasn’t losing anything.
If she continues to have a good track record, then when I am officially Don, I will consider cutting her some slack... without Papà’s knowledge, of course.
Papà’s eyes are deadpanned set on me when I turn back around. I know he is not blaming me for what Dominique was doing.
“Why are you looking at me like that, papà? I know you’re not blaming me!” I state, tilting my head at him.
He stands, picking up the glass, then turns to look out the window behind him.
“No, I don’t blame you, Davide, but I do think you should have known about this much sooner.
I should have known. Heaven forbid if something would have happened to her.
You and Dominique are so much like me when I was your ages.
Headstrong and nothing or no one will stop you from doing what you want.
You two are capable of doing anything you put your minds to.
” When he turns back to me, it was hard for me to read his expression. “It’s time, Davide.”
It's time? What was he talking about? “Time for what, Papà?” I ask, sliding to the edge of my chair.
“I’m tired, Davide. I’m not getting any younger, and I don’t want to spend my time chasing behind your sister. I want to spend the remainder of my years enjoying life.” He says in a low voice.
“But Papà, the only time I see you enjoying life is when you’re here in New Orleans, not back home with mother.” I boldly state. He looks at me with so much sorrow.
“I cannot leave your mother, Davide. You know this.”
“Who cares about some damn old tradition! We all know your heart is here with Momma Calista! Hell, even mother knows it!” I bark, pounding my fist on the desk.
“Watch your fucking tone with me, figlio!” Papà hisses as he points his finger at me. “I am your father and your Don! You will always show me respect. Don’t ever forget who the fuck you’re talking too!”
I hang my head in shame. I have never spoken to him like that, and it was a blatant sign of disrespect, something that I’ve never wanted to do to him.
“I apologize, Papà. I didn’t mean to disrespect you like that, and even though it came out wrong, we both know what I said is true. Don’t you want to be happy all the time?”
He sighs. “I do, figlio, I do, but there are some things that just can’t be undone, which is why I think it’s time for you to take your rightful place as Don of the Russo family.
I cannot keep delaying you from your birthright.
You’re twenty-three now, and I was twenty-four when my Papà stepped down.
I wanted to wait until I thought you were ready, but I was only prolonging what I already knew...
you are ready, figlio. Luca and Matteo have already taken on their roles even though we all saw Matteo really didn’t want it, but with Leonardo becoming ill and him being the eldest, he had no choice. ”
I fall back in my chair. Did I just hear him correctly? “Papà?”
“I’m stepping down, Davide. When we return to Cefalù, I will be announcing to the others that you will be taking over. As you know, after the announcement, there will be a meeting with the other Dons for your acceptance, which shouldn’t be a problem.”
I sat there dumbfounded. “Are you sure about this?”
“I’m sure, figlio. You have been conducting business on my behalf like a true Don.
The other Dons respect you. The men show you loyalty, and our enemies know not to cross you.
It is your time to lead the family. I am proud to bestow this honor upon you.
You have earned it, Davide.” Papà’s eyes mist over.
I stand to go around the desk to him. When I reach him, I pull him into a hug. “Thank you, Papà, and I promise I won’t let you down.” I choke.
“I know you won’t.” His voice cracks.
We hold each other for a few seconds longer before he pulls back, releasing me. He clasps my face between his palms. “Now, come, let’s tell the others the good news.”
I nod my head up and down, as I wipe away my tears.
Papà pats me on my back before we go look for Dominique and Momma Calista.
I have waited my whole life for this day to come.
Luca, Matteo, and even Andres better get ready because there was a new Don of the Russo family.
I loved the way papà ran the family, but this was a new day and age, and I was going to elevate my family’s name to newer heights.