Chapter 12 #2
"Salvatore," I repeat, the name familiar from conversations I'd overheard. "He was working against La Corona?"
"He thought La Corona was outdated and could benefit from re-organizing in which he would be the supreme leader.” Roman’s expression darkens.
I wonder if he’s thinking of his wife, who I’d heard had been kidnapped by Sal.
“That was stupid.”
“Fatal,” Roman says, returning to his seat on the couch. “We’ve done some culling of anyone who might have similar thoughts in the Calabresi family.”
I don’t ask what that means because I know the answer.
Those men are dead and gone.
The casual way he references ending a man's life sends a chill through me.
I've always known what our families do, but being directly involved in these conversations feels different.
"There are others," Marco continues. "People with grudges, ambitious captains, rival families from outside our territory."
“But there’s someone inside, right?” I was sure Marco and I came to the conclusion that there was someone within La Corona wanting to destroy it from the inside out.
“In La Corona, probably, but the Calabresi family is clear now.” Roman takes a bite of his pastry.
“That someone could be feeding information to this FBI agent, Blackwood,” Marco says.
“How do you think they’re working?”
“Roman’s assessment is that they're working to turn the families against each other. I’m not sure if they had a plan already or if the death of Don Ferraza’s wife was the catalyst. They made sure Isabella Ferraza—”
“Ginetti,” Roman interrupts with an arched brow.
“Ginetti,” Marco indulges him. “believed that I ordered the hit on her mother.”
I work to track the story. “But it was Sal, right?”
“Right, but not by my order.” Marco’s expression tightens. “I’d have no reason to want her dead.”
“But Isabella was convinced, accusing me of killing her mother on Marco’s orders. I suspect they hoped Don Ferraza would also believe it, but he didn’t. Whoever this is, they don’t understand the bond between the La Corona families.”
I’ve seen firsthand the bond between my father and Marco.
My father never once considered my accusations against Marco.
While Isabella could have lost her life for making accusations and going to the FBI, La Corona respected her father enough not to do that.
And now look at her, happily married with a new baby to the man who’d been ordered to keep her in line.
“So the plan didn’t work. Is that when they targeted my father?”
“I think they’re targeting Marco,” Roman says.
I look between the two men, not understanding. “But it’s my father’s businesses that are—”
“The goal isn’t to ruin your father’s business, per se. The goal is to destroy La Corona from within,” Roman explains. “Whoever this was got to Sal, made him think he could take over. Isabella’s accusations were against Marco.” Roman arches a brow. “So were yours.”
My eyes widen. “You think I’m being manipulated by whoever this is?” I shake my head. “No, this started because I overheard you planning to take over my father’s business.”
“But you went with it.” Marco’s expression is impassive, but I think I see hurt in his eyes. “And because you did, the FBI reached out to you, just like they did with Isabella.”
“What they didn’t count on is just how close Marco and your father are. Or maybe they hoped with Antonio’s declining health, they could create a wedge between them.”
I sit back and consider all that. “Could the FBI be behind all this?”
Roman shrugs as he brushes crumbs from his tie. “I couldn’t say whether they’re the mastermind, but they’re definitely involved.”
“We don’t know if someone is using the FBI in their plan or not,” Marco clarifies. “What we know is that they’re close enough to us that they know your father’s mind is going and they know you think I’m trying to take over his business.”
“Okay. So… what do we do?”
Marco arches a brow. “You don’t do anything except keep going through your papers. Maybe there’s a legal angle we can exploit.”
“Oh, gee, Marco, how disappointing. I wanted to become all macho and carry a gun and—”
Roman snorts but quickly covers it when Marco shoots him a glare.
“I was speaking in the general “we”, not you and me. I know there is no you and me.”
Roman clears his throat. “We’re sure the Calabresi family is clean of rats, but I can’t speak for the other families. The moment I start asking questions about Vitale or Ferraza operations, alarms go off."
“I thought you had a close bond?”
“Those bonds fray if one family investigates another family. Dom and Leo are aware of some of this, but not about your father’s health.”
“They suspect, though,” I say. “Elena and Isabella suggested they did.”
“It’s time to meet with them and see what they can do to cull out possible traitors in their families.” Marco scrapes his hands over his face.
For the first time, I truly see what this past year has cost him. The isolation, the burden of protecting my father while keeping his secret.
And all that time, I accused him of betrayal.
"Frank might be able to help," I say. "He's been with my father for decades. The men trust him. He could look into things without raising suspicion."
Marco considers this. “He has been around longer than you and me, Roman. He’s loyal to Antonio. It’s a good idea. We need to clear it with Antonio, of course.”
"I can coordinate with him," I offer, leaning forward. "He already knows I'm concerned about my father." I don’t share that he has concerns about Marco’s intentions.
I can talk to Frank and let him know that I was wrong about Marco.
“Roman needs to be involved.”
I try to keep my disappointment from showing.
“Roman is already spending time around Antonio’s business, so they know him and with Frank’s help, the two of them can assess whether anyone is betraying the family.”
It makes sense.
“But there could be paperwork, doctored ledgers… texts… You could work through those.”
I blink. Did he just assign me a task?
Marco’s including me in his operation to expose a traitor fills me with warmth.
I try not to gush or appear overly excited about it. “Of course.”
“I’ll connect with Frank.” Roman stands. “Let him know to get in touch with you,” he says to me. “I have a meeting with Danielli and Po.”
“Fill me in,” Marco says, dismissing Roman.
"Are you going to the winter festival tomorrow?" I ask Roman as he reaches Marco’s office door.
"Absolutely. Isabella's made matching scarves for all three of us."
“I hope they’re better than your tie last year,” Marco quips.
“Be nice or I’ll ask her to make one for you.”
I think back to last year and recall Roman wearing a silly Christmas tie. “I think it’s sweet.”
Roman grins. “That’s my girls. Sweet as can be.”
Marco feigns gagging.
“I’m dragging Marco with me tomorrow,” I say. "I plan to ensure our resident Scrooge actually enjoys himself for once."
Roman's laugh is sudden and genuine. "Good luck with that. Marco's allergic to holiday cheer."
I smile confidently. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."
Marco’s gaze moves to me, and I swear he’s thinking about the library last year.
There were a few tricks in there.
Tricks I can’t use at a public location, but maybe another time…
No. I can’t go there.
"This I have to see." Roman gives Marco a pointed look. "Don't be late tomorrow. Angelica wants to show you her skating."
Marco grunts noncommittally, but I catch the slight softening around his eyes.
He might not like the holidays or families for himself, but he’s happy for Roman.
If only he could allow himself to be happy.