The only reason I had questions was because of Dom.
He never once acted like Luca had betrayed the family, and I couldn’t figure out why.
"The FBI might have set him up, but they didn't kill him in prison. That has to be someone in the family or in the business,” I say.
Luca was in Italy by then, which was the first inkling I had that something wasn’t right.
But then again, it’s not like there isn’t communication outside the country.
He could have arranged a murder.
Dom looks into his glass, and I get the feeling he wants another drink. “I think you need to look closer to home for that answer.”
It takes me a few moments to connect the dots. "Not your father.” That doesn’t make sense. Why would my uncle, the Don, kill my father?
Dom doesn't confirm or deny immediately. "I don't know for certain. But would I put it past him? No."
I remember back all those years ago just after my father’s death when my uncle asked Dom to research anyone close to Luca.
Why would he do that if he was responsible?
“But he wanted revenge. He hated that he’d had to kowtow to La Corona. He wanted to find another way to make Luca suffer.”
Dom arches a brow. “You knew about that?”
Like him, I don’t confirm or deny.
He lets off a bitter laugh. “If my father were alive, I’d have bet money he was the one fucking with La Corona now, trying to burn it from the inside out.”
Really?
I knew Uncle Aldo to be a cruel, cold man, but to kill his brother?
To want to ruin the life of an innocent man?
To destroy the organization that made them the most powerful men in the state, if not the Eastern Seaboard?
"Why?" I’m truly baffled and horrified by this news.
“Power. Money. Jealousy. Why does anyone kill anyone else?”
I gape. “But his brother?”
“Maybe you didn’t notice, but my father was the center of the universe. Everyone else around existed only because he allowed it. Myself included.” He gives me a pointed look. “You too, Elena.” He glances at the kids, and I realize just how close I came to not having them. Maybe not even being alive.
“My father felt threatened by yours. Umberto was gaining influence within La Corona, especially with Antonio's backing. My father saw it as a challenge to his authority."
I shake my head. “My father didn’t want to lead?—”
“Don’t be naive. Everyone wants to lead. Your father knew he was smarter and had more respect from Vitale men, as well as La Corona. But my father knew he couldn’t just kill your dad. So, he could get him arrested and put in prison where any rival family would have access to him. And frame the son of the man who was supporting your father.” He holds up two fingers. “Two birds, one stone.”
I feel sick as my memories reshuffle into a new, horrifying pattern.
"It's the kind of strategy he would have employed. Calculated. Efficient,” he finishes.
“Do your men know?” Why do some still want revenge against Luca?
Dom shakes his head. “That’s the most brilliant, or deviant, part of the scheme. There’s only a handful of them left, but they bought my father’s sob story hook, line, and sinker.”
