“Two meetings. Caleb and I have our usual weekly meeting with Benedito and Luca before we need to be at Commission Central.”
“You’re busy, and that takes priority. I’m more than capable of packing up my things by myself.” I lean over and kiss him, loving I get to do it whenever I feel like it.
“The moving van will pull up at the rear entrance, and the guys will use the staff elevator to move your boxes from the apartment. I have a couple of men outside your apartment already. They’re your bodyguards until we get you safely back to Greenwich.”
“Try not to worry, and be careful,” I say, curling my hand around the door handle.
Joshua pulls me back, slamming his lips down on mine in a toe-curling kiss that warms me on the inside. “Watch your back.” He slaps a small handgun into my palm. “Keep that on you at all times, and don’t hesitate to use it if you need to.”
I tuck it into the back of the waistband of my leggings. “Thanks, and I will.”
He rubs his thumb along my lips. “Fuck, I hate leaving you.” He kisses me quick.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
He nods. “Text me when you’ve finished packing, and I’ll send the van over and come get you.” We’re going to spend a couple of nights in the city, attending to everything I need to do, before I relocate to Greenwich and go into hibernation.
“Will do. Now go before you’re late to your meeting.” I get out and sling my bag over my shoulder, resisting the urge to turn around and blow him a kiss.
I’m on high alert as I walk the quiet streets to the apartment, glancing all around and constantly checking my surroundings. I am close to the apartment when a vehicle comes careening up the road at speed. Tires screech, and I whip my head to the side in time to see a black van hurtling up the road toward me. I’m reaching for the gun when I’m shoved forcefully from behind. Losing my balance, I fall forward, slamming into the sidewalk. The side of my head cracks against the asphalt, and it’s instant lights out.
Chapter Thirty
Joshua
“What’s the update on the enemy situation?” Luca asks at the end of our regular weekly meeting.
“That’s classified,” Caleb says, tossing his key fob in his palm.
Benedito arches a brow. “Even from us?”
“Don’t take it personally. No underboss orconsigliereis privy to that information,” I explain. We know we have leaks at the senior level, so we felt it was prudent to keep our plan under wraps for now.
“In other words,” Caleb drawls, pinning our underboss Marino with a sharp look. “Stop looking so butthurt.”
“It’s highly irregular,” Luca says. “I can’t recall any time when I was acting don that such a decision was taken.”
“These are highly irregular circumstances,” Caleb says.
“Count yourself lucky you didn’t have to deal with something of this magnitude,” I tell our cousin.
“I’m getting too old for this anyway.” Luca leans back in the chair, patting his rounded stomach. “I want to talk to you about formalizing a plan for Giulio to take over asconsigliereso I can retire.”
“Giulio?” My tone conveys my surprise. “He’s a successful Wall Street trader, and he’s barely got one foot in our world. Why on earth would you propose Giulio over your other sons?”
“He’s the smartest, and he’s one of your closest friends. There is an established relationship there.”
“He won’t want it,” Caleb says.
“It’s not a choice,” Luca replies. “And he will do it if I ask it of him. He has always known he might be called upon.”
This is where The Commission’s reluctance to impose stricter rules falls short for some men. Our new laws state no oneshouldbe forced into initiation and servitude, but we can’t legislate for their fathers. The board is loath to step in and overrule any father, so all we can do is tell them we don’t expect succession even if we value it.
Caleb and I exchange a look. Giulio has never expressed such desires to either of us.
“We have to park that for now, Luca. The priority is dealing with this threat. Then we can discuss succession.”
“I just wanted to put it on your radar.”
