I knew this day would come. I had prepared for it. But just as with death, no matter how much you prepare, it still jolts.
“Papà,” he said, simply, “wants an answer.”
“If I decide not to answer?”
“He will no longer keep Ettore back.” He opened and closed his hands. “Lothario does not know how to lead. There has been talk about the way he is running things. It is not good. It has been a miracle that no one has challenged him. Papà has something to do with this, I believe, but the younger ones do not understand what it is to fear a true monster. Their fathers have warned them, but—” He shrugged at this.Let them learn as they must, the gesture seemed to communicate.
“You?” I leaned forward. “What do you want, Rocco?”
It wasn’t just me Luca wanted. It was the both of us. Rocco as the brains. Brando as the brawn. Luca, no doubt, would be the heart. Our two brothers would be arms and legs.
“I do as I am told. I was born to lead.”
He didn’t answer my question. I wasn’t disillusioned enough to think that he would. But the look on his face told me what his mouth refused. He was torn. It wasn’t just a job, but a family obligation. There was no thin line of separation.
He flexed his shoulders, as though the custom suit he wore had suddenly become too tight. He blossomed under my scrutiny instead of wilting. That was another Fausti trait.
“How long?” I said.
“This is the moment.”
I tapped my finger against the wood. We stared at each other.
“No,” I said, after a minute. “Questa è la mia risposta.” Though Luca kept Ettore on a short leash, I wouldn’t allow the threat of Ettore to force me into a decision. If I took the position as head of the powerful Faustifamiglia, it would be on my terms.
A second later, he cleared his throat. “Final?”
“Final.” I cleared my throat. “Will you take it?”
He shook his head. “It is the both of us orniente.”
“What if you challenge Lothario?”
“I will be going against Luca’s wishes. He does not believe we are strong enough without each other.”
“Strongenough,” I said, and he caught my meaning.
He leaned forward, offering me his hand, arm wrestling style. I took the same stance and we locked hands.
“Abbastanza forte,” he repeated in Italian.
We let go, settling in our seats.
“I’d appreciate if you don’t mention this to Scarlett.” I shrugged. “Today’s our anniversary. Tomorrow is the anniversary of her brother’s death. She has a lot on her plate. I’ll tell her. When the time is right.”
“Sì.” He eyed me hard. “But I must tell you something.”
I sat up taller.
“I cannot remember if we mentioned this to you or not, at the time. But I believe it is worth mentioning again. After you surrendered your life for your wife’s, to Spataro, Lothario came to see her at the BalleriniCastello.”
“I’m sure he did, to offer his condolences.”
He smirked. “Your wife was of the same mind. The, ah, the thing is, she pulled apistolaon him. Threatened to kill him with it if he attempted to be in contact again.”
“Che cosa?” I sat up taller. No, no one had told me about that. After the situation had settled, we kept it in the distance. Scarlett was eager to put it behind us. Miles and miles behind us.
“What, indeed.” Rocco grinned. Then it slipped and turned serious when he caught my eye. “This means it is truly us,fratello.”
