Chapter 37 #2
Three figures were waiting for us under the peristyle, also flanked by several men. If it weren’t for the street lights on the nearby path, their faces would have remained in shadow. But even then, I would’ve been able to guess who they were.
Antonio’s kids, standing side by side at one end of the structure. All dressed in black and all with revenge and greed written on their faces. They weren’t happy with this meeting, and neither was I.
We took up the space opposite them, leaving plenty of room between us and the three psychopaths.
My eyes were locked on Gabriele. Anger simmered deep in my gut at his very existence.
Lily told me about how he showed up to the open house and how he attempted to speak to her despite not recognizing who she was. The knowledge of him being that close to her again made me want to curb-stomp his smug face.
It was obvious he was the reason Roxy was dead, yet he showed up to a house inspection like nothing happened — he tried to approach Lily like nothing happened.
The cuts in my skin, from the car explosion, were small reminders of the lengths he would go to get revenge.
Whether he killed Roxy because she had used him was debatable.
Yes, she had used him, but I couldn’t imagine Gabriele being the type to get overly upset over a relationship going bad.
Killing someone as a spiteful jab at his father made more sense.
I figured that’s what this meeting was about. To try and talk and find a reasonable resolution for everyone attending.
I wasn’t sure why I was there until Gabriele spoke.
“Is he our replacement, Father?” He jerked his chin at me.
Lucia, on his right, sent me a small, flirtatious wave.
I stole a glance at Antonio to find his expression indifferent. He wasn’t denying that I was a replacement, and soon a faint smirk appeared on his lips.
He was using me, flaunting me as the son he never had. It explained why none of the other fighters were invited along.
“We are here tonight to find neutral ground,” Antonio started.
Bullshit.
“And for me to remind you that what you are doing won’t be tolerated,” he added with a smug air about him.
There it is.
Beatrice smirked at her father. “What we’re doing wouldn’t be happening if you treated us like family instead of casting us aside.”
“You mean reward you with the inheritance you think you deserve after the mess you created? There is a reason you were cut from the family business. You conduct your actions too loudly.” He tucked a hand into the pocket of his suit pants while he rested the other on his cane.
“It brings attention that none of us need… I suggest you go back to Rome and give my love to your mother—”
Lucia bristled. “You don’t speak of her—”
“—You don’t know what you’re getting yourselves into. You have no connections; no strength in numbers like I do. You are fighting a fight you will never win,” Antonio said, disregarding Lucia.
It was true what he said. Antonio had the entire Genovese family to fall back on. He was a caporegime.
His kids were nothing but wannabe gangsters.
Unhinged wannabe gangsters.
“At least we are our own boss, Father. We answer to no one,” Beatrice smirked, crossing her arms.
“Because you have no one,” Antonio responded.
Gabriele raised a hand to silence his sister before she could snap back, offering her a gentle smile as he stepped forward.
The motion caused every bodyguard in the vicinity to shift on their feet.
“We’re aware of what we’re getting ourselves into, padre.
We learned from you, after all. But we also know your game isn’t as good as it once was.
People are leaving you, your business is falling apart…
” He smirked darkly. “Just look at what happened to that little whore you sent for me.”
I curled my knuckles, and they emitted a soft crack.
“This is your last chance,” Antonio warned calmly. “Hurt one of my own again, and I will see the end of you.”
Gabriele’s gaze sharpened. Gone was his nonchalant attitude. “We are your own! We’re blood!”
Antonio breathed in with a tired sigh, checking his gold watch. “Burning your way through my people and businesses is not how you convince me to change my mind. Neither is screaming at me like a child.”
Gabriele’s anger faltered as he glanced at his sisters. Each shared similar expressions of confusion and then amusement.
“As much as we love playing with fire, father, we didn’t burn down any of your businesses,” Beatrice mused.
If this caused Antonio to feel shocked or confused, he didn’t show it. Instead, he pondered the information.
I felt eyes on me and glanced towards Vince to find him watching me already.
Squaring my jaw, I casually brought my hands behind my back and focused on the triplets as Antonio spoke again.
“I arranged this meeting to speak reasonably, and thought your agreement to attend meant you felt the same, but clearly that isn’t the case.
” Antonio brushed off the last few minutes like it was lint on his jacket.
There was really no love lost when it came to him cutting off loved ones. “We’re done here.”
The second Antonio turned to leave, we were expected to move with him to show solidarity and respect. And I did move like that for a few paces, until Gabriele chuckled darkly.
“Manda il mio affetto alla tua piccola cerva, Dean.”
I saw red. It temporarily blinded logic and common sense as I went to turn back, reaching for the gun tucked in the back of my jeans, but Vince caught my arm and forced me to keep moving.
“Not now,” he muttered sharply.
I tore my arm from his grasp as we headed out of the peristyles shelter and stepped into the light mist falling on Prospect Park. Gabriele’s taunting laugh seemed to follow me all the way to the car, haunting me as much as his words did.
Send my love to your little doe, Dean.
My hands shook before I shoved them into my pockets. The rage room tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough. I needed to hit something, break something, smoke a cigarette. If Gabriele ever went near Lily again, I would put a bullet in his fucking skull.
As we reached Antonio’s Mercedes, the boss finally let slip his frustrations. “Find out who the fuck was involved with the fire that burned down The Den. When you do, bring them to me.”
Vince briefly glanced at me before he responded. “Yes, boss.”