“I’m sure after all of the things that came out of her mouth, you must have plenty, but first, let me explain. Your mother was the love of my life, and I would have promised her the world, but the one thing she asked of me was that if I was to ever involve you in the family business that I would treat you as Gio’s equal.”
Gio snorts and runs a hand across his chest. “I’m not sure how Mom thought Tori could ever equal such a fine specimen.”
Dad and I chuckle as he tries to lighten the mood, but I don’t bite because I want to hear what Dad has to say.
“I never had any plans to involve you in this, Tori. Gio was brought in because he will be my successor when I step down, but I wanted a normal life for you away from the Russo family.”
“Why do I get the feeling that when you say Russofamily you mean so much more than just us?” I ask my dad, and he beams.
“My clever princess. The Russos have been part of the American Mafia, or theCosa Nostra,since its inception here in the States. We are a long-standing family that is proud of its heritage, and we are loyal to our brothers. But unlike other established families, I have also seen the way of the future and the value of modernizing some of our more archaic traditions. Where being gay will get you killed or shunned in many of the other families, we accept it. Same with being female. Like Penny suggested, if we were another family, all you would be good for is marrying for an alliance, but that would be a waste of intelligence and cunning. The Mafia is shortsighted in not using women in their ranks. Women are often more vicious than us men could ever be. Am I right?”
Dad raises an eyebrow at me, and I don’t know how, but I get the feeling he is referring to Stacey. That aside, I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I can’t even begin to form a question before he continues.
“Our main business is money laundering through our various clubs, hotels, and casinos, but we also run guns and drugs—mainly weed, pills, and cocaine. We have stayed away from heroin and meth so as not to draw too much heat or attention our way. The DEA focuses on the families who are heavy into them, and we get to stay under the radar. Meth and heroin addicts run the risk of overdosing, and nobody likes to explain an overdose in one of our venues.”
Well, that explains Gio’s stash of party favors then.
“We have a chemist in our employment who has developed a type of ecstasy that, at this stage, has had no overdoses. He makes them in pretty pastel-colored pills with a butterfly on them—some metaphor shit about the drug causing a person to transform, even if for only a little while. It is the number one seller in our clubs throughout the state, and we supply most of the West Coast. The East Coast is out of our area and is someone else’s responsibility. We run guns from Mexico and distribute them, again, throughout the West Coast.” Dad pauses and sighs, looking at a photo of my mother that he has on his desk. It’s the only place in the house where there is one. Penelope insisted that the rest get packed away when she moved in. My mom was gorgeous, and Dad tells me I look just like her, but I don’t see it.
“Once upon a time, we also used to traffic women, but my father put a stop to that. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but it is not something that our family is involved in. That was my mother’s doing. Theirs, unlike my relationship with your mother, was an arranged marriage, but they fell deeply in love, much as I did with your mother, and that was the one thing she asked of him. We still run whores, but they are not forced to be there. They choose to be in that position, and they are paid handsomely for it. Our whores are high-class escorts who can be seen on the arms of many of the rich and famous. They come away with a lot of very valuable blackmail material, so they are not to be underestimated. We also own all the Kitty Cat Strip Clubs on the West Coast. It’s another great way to clean dirty money.”
I wait for the feeling of disgust to form when Dad tells me everything he does, but it never comes. All I feel is fascination and the burning need to know more. My moral compass may be more broken than I had ever guessed, and instead of feeling frightened, all I feel is excitement.
He studies me for my reaction. I think he’s waiting for me to freak out, but he’s going to be waiting for a while or, most likely, forever.
“Tell me more,” I implore, and he nods, looking pleased.
“I am the boss of the family, and Gio is my underboss. Uncle Mickey is my right-hand man, and Lorenzo oversees the escort side of the business.”
“And me? What will I be?” I ask, and he loses the smile on his face as his expression becomes hard.
“Well, that has yet to be determined. Gio did not automatically become my underboss. Just like my father tested me, he was thoroughly tested to ensure he has what it takes to lead this family and do what’s necessary if threatened.”
“Well, test me. I can do this. I need this more than ever,” I beg.
He leans back and crosses his arms. “It has come to my attention that we have a possible traitor in the family. A gun buy went wrong when a Cartel gang tried to hijack our shipment. Someone obviously gave them the information. I was supposed to be at the meeting, yet Mickey and I had been held up somewhere else and weren’t able to attend. None of our members made it out alive. You and Gio are the only people I can trust now, so we will see how you do when we give you a crash course in life, family style. If you are still asking me to be included when we are done, then I will assign you a task. Does this sound fair?”
“Of course. You know I would do anything for this family, Daddy. Family first is our motto, right?”
He nods slowly. “Yes, princess, but blood is blood, and we trust them over everything. You will take a leave of absence from school. You can do your senior year online while learning the ropes. Gio will also be taking a leave of absence from college. If you choose to, you can both go next year together, but for now, I need you.”
He looks like he’s waiting for me to argue, and before what happened this morning, I might have, but now I grab the life raft he’s just thrown me with both hands.
“Absolutely, just tell me what I need to do.” I look at Gio, and he appears resigned.
“Got something to say, Gio?” Dad raises an eyebrow, waiting for a response, but Gio just sighs.
“No, Dad. It’s just that there’s this girl, and I really like my roommates.”
Dad holds up a hand. “No distractions. I need you to get Tori up to speed, and your roommates are just people who could be used against you. As for the girl, unless you want to marry her tomorrow and bring her into the family, for now, she is a liability, as are you to her. Anyone could use her against you. Let’s get you both in a position where you can keep loved ones safe through power, and then you can pursue her.”
“But, Dad, I think she’s the one,” Gio says quietly, and Dad’s eyes soften.
“Tell her you are going away but you will write to her. Court her the old-fashioned way through letters and words, Gio. Romance is dead with technology, so start writing her letters, it’s more romantic. If she is still around in a few years’ time, then I will let you court her publicly.”
“We’re going away?” God, could this solution be any better? I won’t have to go to school or live in the same town as Stacey. I know that sounds cowardly, but the next time I face Stacey, I want her on her knees begging for my forgiveness.
Dad stands up, smiling slightly. “Come, we’re going for a little drive. I have something to show you.”
