Chapter 2
Adriano Pov~
"Pops, do you really think this is that serious? We don't even know what the fuck the problem is." A.J. sat on the edge of my desk, arms crossed as he waited for an answer. I looked up at him from behind my desk before shifting my attention to the others in the room.
Matteo sat on the couch, elbows resting on his knees, while Marcio leaned back beside him, quietly analyzing everything that had been said.
I tossed the pen I'd been absentmindedly spinning onto the desk.
"Yes." The single word silenced the room.
"My father told Matteo and me about the Basilio Council before we were old enough to understand what it even meant." I leaned back in my chair. "That council doesn't argue. It doesn't negotiate."
I paused, letting the words sink in. "It gives orders...If you choose correctly, you live. If you choose wrong..." I looked directly at A.J.
"You die. That's how it's always been." I folded my hands together. "Our informants are telling us something is happening in Italy."
I glanced at Matteo. "They don't know exactly what. But whatever it is...It has the Council talking." Matteo nodded once. "And that alone makes it dangerous."
"Our informant believes the discussion is about the next generation of bosses, I don't know if that is 100% true so I will be headed to Italy to see first hand what the fuck is going on." Matteo said.
"Wait your going to Italy? I thought Italy was this forbidden place we weren't allowed to visit." Marcio inquired looking over at his father.
A.J. couldn't resist, with a grin on his face he says, "I can see why they'd ban your ugly ass from entering the country."
Marcio shot to his feet. "The fuck did you just say?" Before either of them could move another inch, Matteo stood.
"Sit."
The single command was enough. Marcio glared at A.J. before dropping back onto the couch.
I slammed my palm onto the desk. The room instantly fell silent. "This isn't a fucking joke."
My voice was low and deadly. "You two need to start understanding something." I looked between both of them. "If Matteo and I die tomorrow..."
"...this family becomes yours."
Neither one of them spoke. Good, because they finally understood. They were old enough now. About the same age Matteo and I had been when we were forced to step fully into this life. That was why we involved them in family business.Not because we wanted them to carry this burden...
Because one day they would have to.
I had no intention of dying anytime soon. Neither did Matteo. But intentions didn't matter in our world. Preparation did.
"Sorry, Boss," Marcio and A.J. said in unison.
Matteo nodded. "I leave for Italy tomorrow. Luca's coming with me." He looked at his son. "While I'm gone, I expect you to fulfill your responsibilities."
Marcio blinked. "You want me acting as second?" Matteo glanced at me. He wanted me to explain the rest.
"You and A.J. will both be stepping up for the next few days," I said. "I have to leave the state as well."
A.J.'s expression immediately hardened. "Where?"
"I picked up a lead in the South. It's something I have to handle personally." I stood from my chair. "Giovanni's coming with me."
The office door opened, and Giovanni walked in with his eldest son, Leonardo. "Sorry we're late," Giovanni said as they entered. "Leena insisted we spend some quality time together." He rolled his eyes.
Leo chuckled as he dropped onto the couch beside Marcio. "That woman is insane." Giovanni shot him a look. "Careful. That's your mother you're talking about."
Leo smirked. "And your wife." Even I couldn't help but smile. Leena had always been... spirited.
"What'd we miss?" Giovanni asked, leaning casually against the wall. I quickly filled them in on everything Matteo and I had discussed with A.J. and Marcio. By the time I finished, Giovanni's expression had turned serious.
He looked at his son. "Leo, you'll be standing in for me while I'm gone."
Leo frowned. "What is it you exactly do?" Leo said crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes on his father.
Giovanni uncrossed his arms. "My job is to protect the Capo and his Second.
If anything happens to either of them, I take responsibility until they're able to return, or until a new leader is chosen.
" My life is theirs. I protect them, advise them, and make sure they can lead without worrying about what's behind them. "
Leo gave a slow nod.
"So..." Marcio said, unable to help himself. "He's basically our assistant slave?" A.J. snorted. Giovanni looked thoroughly unimpressed.
Before he could answer, I spoke. "No." The room quieted.
"We don't use words like that." I looked at all three boys. We treat each other with loyalty and respect. We fight beside one another. We bleed for one another. Brotherhood." I watched their expressions carefully.
"Remember the oath each of you took?" The three nodded. "Good. One day you'll take the official blood oath. But not yet."
Silence settled over the room. I stood and walked around my desk.
"When Matteo, Giovanni, and I leave tomorrow, the three of you will be responsible for this family.
You'll oversee every club. Every underground operation, every guard.
You'll make sure your brothers and sisters arrive safely at school and return safely every afternoon.
You'll continue attending school yourselves.
And you'll make decisions that affect hundreds of people. "
A.J. blinked. "You expect us to go to school..." he said slowly, "...and run the family? How the fuck are we supposed to do that?"
My eyes met his cold and unwavering. "You're future Mafia bosses, you wanted these positions. So earn them."
I took another step toward them. "Consider this your first real test."
Neither A.J., Marcio, nor Leo had a smart remark this time.
They nodded sighing. "When do we start?" Leo asked.
"Tomorrow morning," I answered. "Your fathers and I should be gone for three days. If we need longer, we'll call."
Matteo stepped forward, taking over. "In the meantime, this estate doesn't stop running."
He began counting responsibilities off on his fingers.
"You'll make sure guards remain posted outside the estate, throughout the grounds, and along the perimeter. You'll check in with security throughout the day." You'll oversee the chefs, the housekeeping staff, and everyone else who keeps this place running."
"If your mothers need groceries, supplies, or anything else..." He smirked. "...handle it immediately."
Marcio frowned. "Why?"
Matteo laughed. "Because if you don't, you'll never hear the end of it." Even Giovanni chuckled. Trust Matteo to sneak that in during a serious meeting.
Matteo's smile quickly disappeared. "And if there's trouble at one of our clubs or underground operations..." He looked at each of them.
"...the three of you will handle it together." His gaze shifted toward A.J. "Rafaele will accompany you."
A.J. frowned. "Speaking of Raf... where is he? Shouldn't he be here?"
Matteo shook his head. "He's helping Isabella with something. I've already spoken to him. He knows his assignment. Rafaele's already one of our guards. So he'll continue doing exactly what he was trained to do."
"What if..." Marcio began, leaning forward. "Hypothetically, something happens and we're forced to shoot someone. What do we do?"
I held his gaze. "You shoot them."
The room fell silent. "You've spent your entire lives learning how to use every weapon at your disposal. This position comes with every responsibility that follows."
I let my words sink in before continuing.
"If you have to kill... then you kill. But listen carefully. We don't kill without reason. We kill betrayal. We kill those who choose disloyalty. If someone simply gets out of line or disrespects this family..."
I leaned forward.
"...you remind them exactly who the Boss is. And who isn't. Do you understand?"
All three boys nodded immediately. "Yes, Boss."
I continued. "You'll handle everything while we're gone. Everything. The only exception is the Basilio Council. If anyone from Italy contacts you regarding Council business, you forward the call directly to me."
I looked each of them in the eye. "For everything else...you're on your own."
I could feel the tension settling over the room. They tried to hide it but I could see it. Good. A man who wasn't nervous about this responsibility wasn't ready for it.
I folded my hands together. "Any more questions?"
I looked at A.J. Then Marcio. Then Leo. "Because the moment you walk out those doors...you're the acting leaders of the Italian Mafia. There is no turning back."
Each of them met my stare without looking away.
I saw determination.
I saw confidence.
I also saw uncertainty. That didn't concern me. Every one of us had felt it the first time we were handed real power.
Matteo, Giovanni, and I had never forced this life on our children. They had all been given a choice. Walk away...Or stand beside their family. Each of them had chosen this life willingly.
Maybe it was loyalty.
Maybe it was duty.
Or maybe...It was simply the Basilio blood running through their veins.
"I have one question," Marcio finally said.
The room turned toward him.
"Do our mothers know about this?" A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. "They know."
Matteo laughed. "And trust me... we had to fight to convince them."
Giovanni nodded knowingly. "Especially Yana." That earned a few quiet chuckles around the room. Even I couldn't argue with that.
I looked back at the boys. "We good?" All three nodded. "We're good."
They stood from their seats and faced the three of us. I rose from behind my desk. "Get some rest, men." I looked at each of them with quiet pride. "You have a long week ahead of you."
Without another word, they nodded and walked out of the office together. The door clicked shut behind them. Silence settled over the room.
Giovanni finally broke it. "You think they've got this?"