What the actual fuck?
Is Angelo saying what I think he’s saying?
It’s not uncommon for dons to father illegitimate children and install them as legitimate heirs, but there have been no such rumors about Don Mazzone. While he adores his wife, Rosa, I know he has had affairs and he keeps whores on occasion. So, it’s not unfathomable to consider he might have another child or two out there somewhere.
To my knowledge, he has never mentioned this to Mateo before. From the shock on his face, I can tell this is the first time he’s hearing about options.
Dropping down into his seat, Angelo looks contemplative as he sips his whiskey. We stand rigidly still, awaiting instruction. I cast a quick glance at my friend. Mateo’s panicked blue eyes meet mine, and I think Angelo has finally driven the point home. Looking away, I refocus on the don. Angelo smooths a hand down the front of his suit jacket, his expression giving nothing away.
“I’m sorry, Papa.” Mateo shows the requisite remorse on his face, and I know these deaths will weigh heavy on his conscience. There is nothing Mateo wants more than to earn the respect of his father and their men as a good leader and someone they can trust to succeed Angelo when the time comes. Unfortunately, that conflicts with the other part of his personality that loves the adoration, wealth, and power that comes from being the son of the number one don in New York. Mateo talks a good talk, but he struggles to live up to the expectations of his father and the ones he puts on himself. Knowing he could be ousted at any moment, in favor of some unknown option, won’t help the situation.
“That is all I hear from you, and it’s not enough, boy.” Angelo shakes his head in disgust. “Time after time, I am having to clean up after you. One mess after another, and I am sick to death of it,” he yells, jabbing his finger in Mateo’s direction. Picking up his gun, he trains it at Mateo’s chest. “I should just kill you now and save myself further hassle.”
“It won’t happen again,” Mateo blurts. “I swear I will clean up my act. No more parties. No more women.”
“We will talk about this again,” Angelo says, effectively dismissing him when he turns his head in my direction.
I straighten up, swallowing heavily.
“I believe I have you to thank for saving my daughter.” Angelo’s all-seeing eyes drill into my face, and sweat collects at the back of my neck.
I nod.
“It’s a shame you didn’t keep thestronzoalive. I want to know who’s behind this.”
“I wanted to, sir, but it was too risky. Getting Natalia to safety was my sole priority.”
He nods. “You made the right judgment call, and I’m grateful. Rosa too.”
I’m hoping he’ll wrap this up quickly now so I can check on mydolcezza. She was still unconscious when I left her with the family doctor in her bedroom. I had headed outside to locate Mateo so we could find out how the fuck these assholes got close enough to almost take Natalia. I knew we would need to have answers for Angelo before he returned.
“We had a mole,” Mateo says. “He killed our other soldier at the gate and let the enemy in.”
“Where is he?” Angelo barks.
“Dead,” Mateo confirms. “We were taking him to the dungeon when he grabbed the gun from the waistband of my pants and shot himself in the head.”
Angelo sighs, getting up and rounding the desk. He grabs his son by the neck again, spittle flying as he roars in his face. “Can’t you do anything right, Mateo? I am tempted to end your miserable, pathetic ass right now.” He prods the muzzle of his gun into Mateo’s stomach. Mateo maintains a stoic face, but I see the pain and the fear behind his eyes.
“Don Mazzone. If I may be permitted to speak,” Agosti says, pushing off the wall and walking toward Angelo.
Angelo removes his hand from Mateo’s neck, waving it in the air, gesturing for his underboss to continue.
“I examined some of the dead bodies,” Agosti says. “They bore the markings of the Barone.” He lets that sit, without elaborating.
The Barone are made men from New Jersey with little power and control, so they take on paid gigs to flesh out their pockets. They act more like a common gang than amafiosothese days, and I am guessing their days are numbered. They don’t seem circumspect in the work they take on, and they are pissing off a lot of the families.
“You’re sure?” Angelo asks.
Agosti nods. “It was them. What do you want to do?”
Angelo picks up the phone at his desk. “I want a meeting with Greco before we take any retaliation. I want to know what that little shit Carlo has done now to warrant a target on my daughter’s head.”
“Wait? This was about Nat?” Mateo asks, his shame instantly transforming to fear for his sibling.
“Of course, it was. The attack at the pool was a distraction to get to your sister.” Mateo curses as Angelo dials a number. Lifting his head, Angelo glares at his son. “Get the fuck out. Change into a suit, and get ready to visit the widows of the men we lost today. You will be explaining to them how you got their husbands killed.”
* * *
