Is it the FBI?
A rival organization?
Or someone within our ranks?
Elena went so far as to suggest some might think it’s me.
Fucking hell. I can’t seem to get a break when it comes to my reputation within La Corona.
How am I going to succeed at being a Don with that hanging over me?
I pause at Elena’s bedroom door, looking back at her sleeping form. I'm hit with a wave of protectiveness so fierce it steals my breath.
I'll clear my name.
I'll become Don.
I'll find whoever's trying to destroy La Corona.
And then I'll come back for her and the kids and make us a family.
The next morning, I dress, have breakfast, and then head to my father’s office.
We haven’t had the ceremonial passing of the torch yet, but for all intents and purposes, I’m running the family now.
I ease into my father's chair, running my fingers over the worn leather armrests.
Tomorrow, this seat becomes officially mine.
Don Monti.
There’s an excitement to the idea, and of course, worry. Will I be able to come anywhere close to being the Don my father was?
My phone vibrates against the desk. Checking the caller ID, I see it’s my PI, Joe Longo.
"What do you have for me?" I answer.
“I found an ex-con who once shared a cell with Umberto Vitale,” Joe reports. “Carl Bishop. Just got released last month after serving seven years for armed robbery."
My pulse quickens although I’m not sure why. Would Umberto have shared anything with a cellmate? "And?"
“Says he might have some information. I can meet him?—”
“No. I want to meet him.” I need to hear directly from the man who would have been one of the last to see Umberto alive. "Where can I find him?"
"He’s in Jersey.” Joe rattles off an address. “It’s a shithole efficiency.”
“Thank you, Joe.”
“Let me know what else you need.”
When we hang up, I sit back in the chair.
The timing couldn't be worse.
I have a shit-ton of work today.
Meetings. Paperwork. Making sure I’m caught up on all aspects of the family’s businesses.
