“We are,” I agree. “But we can only do that if we pull together. Showloyalty.”
The silence in the room is deep, as though they’re all holding their breath. Outside in the hallway, I hear a very quiet creaking of floorboards again.
“I know not all of you have been happy with the changes I’ve made. I understand that I’ve gone against tradition in many ways, that I’ve made decisions that some of you disagree with. But what I want you to understand tonight is this: I don’t give a fuck what you think.”
That causes a little ripple of movement through the room: some surprised faces, some smirks, some frowns.
“I’mthe Boss,” I go on. “My decisions are final. Tino Morelli gave the ring tome.” I wait a moment, allow some time for those who need to remember that. “When I took over, I even gave a grace period. I said whoever wanted out couldgetout, could leave this Family with no fear of reprisal. You all stood by me then. So I’m giving you one last chance tonight. Whoever wants to leave…Leave.”
I look around at every face in turn.
“Leave now, and I won’t pursue you. Go join the ranks of whichever Family you like. Retire. Move to fucking Hawaii. I don’t care. But after tonight, if anyone here ever questions my authority again—ever questions my decisions again—ever goes behind my back again—I will end that man.”
I wait, but I don’t have to wait long. Fontana is the first to respond. “Understood, Boss.”
“With you. Hundred percent,” Vitali says firmly. Carlucci, Snapper Marino, and even Al Vollero are just as quick to murmur their assent.
“Good,” I say, once I’m satisfied that no one is about to head for the door. “In that case, on to business. Fontana is Underboss. And during my recovery, he will be my representative in all things.”
Nods all around the room. I take off the Morelli ring again and pass it to Nick, who takes it with a murmur of respectful thanks.
“And as for you, Vollero,” I say, “all your bullshit about rats, and you’re flapping your mouth to my goddamn brother?”
“But Frankie, he’s not—I mean, I’d never talk outside the Family…” He trails off, his mouth open and stammering as I stare him down. “Never again, Boss. On my life, never again.”
I keep him pinned with my gaze. “On your life, you’ll follow Fontana’s orders like they’re my own, and you’ll show him the same respect you afford me.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“And one last thing, Al,” I say softly. “If you ever disrespect my husband again, ever question whether he really knows my wishes? I’ll cut your fucking face off.”
That face goes pale. “Never again, Boss,” he repeats.
“Then we understand each other.” I pause another moment just to give Vollero’s blood pressure a chance to go down. “From tomorrow, Finch, Carlucci and I will be in Boston for about a month. Vitali will drive us there, and then come back to renovate and secure Tino Morelli’s old mansion for me. Fontana will run the Family. Snapper, work with the Rossi Family to keep pushing back and reclaiming our territories. As for you, Vollero…” I turn to him with a smile. “I have a very special job for you.”
By the time he hears what I want from him, Vollero is smiling, too. “Ah, those Clemenza motherfuckers. Time they paid the price for every shitty thing they done.”
Soon after that, I call the meeting to a close and send the faithful away from me to spread my word, to issue my decrees, to do deeds good and bad. And before they leave the room, I hear quick, light footsteps hurrying away downstairs.
Finch, it seems, has not lost his penchant for listening at doors.
Chapter Twenty-Six
FINCH
It’s a strange thing to be coming to Boston, of all places, for protection while Luca recovers. Luca and I weren’t here when the IFF stormed Hillview House, but I heard graphic tales about it from Aidan. Aidan was actually against us going to Hillview, and suggested we stay with his folks instead, until I gently reminded him that it would only make them a target, too.
“Tara’s used to this kind of thing,” I pointed out. “And she has reinforced protections now on the house—the whole block, and the surrounds.”
Darla’s not happy about us moving Luca again so soon, but I want to get out of New York as soon as we can. It’s too dangerous in the city, and I trust Tara to keep us safe. But when we arrive, Boston feels not unlike a battleground as well. I don’t know how the hell they’re getting away with it on public roads, but there are Donovan checkpoints on each road leading into the center block where Hillview House is situated.
Teo is driving Aidan and me; Aidanisstaying at his parents’ house, so we drop him there first and then drive on. Gio Carlucci is driving Luca in a dark-windowed black van so Luca can lie down during the journey, and so Darla can travel with him. Sophia Vicente is with them as well, and I’ve never seen someone so excited to take a drive to Boston. This is her first trial as backup protection for me and for Luca, and she’s taking it seriously. She’ll relieve Gio a few nights a week, nothing tricky, just to give him some time off, and she’ll learn a few things from Conor O’Hara while we’re in Boston.
I do feel bad about keeping Gio from Hudson for a whole month. But our absence will hopefully give Hudson a chance to shine at Kismet, where I’ve asked him to take over for me while I’m away. That should keep him busy enough, even without running after meora bunch of houseguests.
As for Darla, I’ve made her payment even more generous than Luca first suggested. He might be pissing me off right now, but of course I still want the best available care for him. And Darlaisthe best. I know that because I’ve seen her care with my own eyes—and now that I’ve seen her grace under literal fire, too, I decided we had to have her. But she deserves a little extra Danger Pay for what she might have to face in Boston.
I’ve asked Tara to set up separate beds in the same room for Luca and me, with Darla just down the hall. Luca’s going to lose it when he sees the separate beds, and I’m not keen on the idea myself…but I don’t want to be tossing and turning next to him if it causes him pain. And from what I’ve observed during our time at the brownstone, every little jostleiscausing him pain.Plushe’s refusing the pain medication two times out of three, and it drives me crazy to watch him suffer.
