Joshua rolls his eyes. “I stopped being a kid a long time ago, Leo.”
“You’ll always be a kid to me.”
“Are Mom and the others safe?” he asks as I scan the men surrounding the area and walking in and out of the warehouse. Philip did something to the satellite signal here and the location near the construction site in Atlantic City where it’s all going down in a few hours so no one can watch or pull up any reports afterward. There will be casualties on both sides tonight, and we need to keep the authorities out of this.
I spot a handful of other women walking into the high-roofed building, but we are in the extreme minority. Most of the wivesand kids are holed up in bunkers and panic rooms in case this should go wrong.
I don’t think it will. The planning is exemplary.
Joshua and Caleb brought me into their confidence last night, and I’m astounded at what has been pulled together in a couple of months. It’s no wonder I haven’t seen much of him in the past couple of weeks.
“Everyone is tucked away in the basement panic room at Ben’s house,” Leo says, reclaiming my attention. “Your mother, Marco, and Elisa are there too.”
My youngest brother threw a hissy fit he couldn’t come today. He’s thirteen and already initiated, but it’s too dangerous, and he doesn’t have enough experience in the field, so Papa put his foot down. Mom said Marco was stomping around the house like a stereotypical teen for the past week. I’m betting he sulks the entire time he has to stay hidden on Ben’s estate, but I’m glad they are safe. It’s three less people to worry about. “They said to tell you not to take unnecessary risks.”
“I’m not the one they should be worrying about,” I say as I spy my father and two brothers coming this way.
“I heard the ambush went like clockwork,” Leo says as my family strolls up.
Dad pulls me into a bracing hug before handing me off to Antonio and Cosimo. I hug my brothers close.
“We had twelve casualties during the op, but we captured ninety-nine men,” Joshua says. “They are chained and locked in our bunker, under armed guard, and we have security cameras all over the area in case anything should go down.”
I worked with a team for weeks to track down every traitor among themafioso. Strangely, there were no rats within the Maltesefamiglia,but we identified rats in the other four families. We waited until today to go after them in a carefully planned attack. A group of Accardi traitors were purposely leftout of the ambush because we need them as part of the plan tonight.
“What about the plant in Cali?” My dad asks.
“Juan Pablo has every available man working on security tonight in case they attack.”
“Are the Irish here?” Antonio asks.
Joshua shakes his head. “We’ll meet them in A.C.” He glances around. “We should head inside. It’s not safe to talk out here.”
We walk inside just as the meeting is called to order. Joshua holds my hand as we advance toward the raised section at the back of the room. “Stay where I can see you,” he says when we reach the top, leaning down to kiss me in front of the packed room. I feel eyeballs glued to the back of my head, and I scowl at my boyfriend. Joshua swats my ass and winks before jumping up onto the stage to join his twin. My father glares at him from his position beside Fiero, and Cosimo chuckles. “Joshua must have a death wish.”
“Doesn’t he know his don status means fuck all when Dad has his fatherly hat on?” Antonio adds.
“He’s fearless and confident. He doesn’t need to worry about Papa.”
“You’re so fucking smitten. It’s disgusting,” Cosimo says, his lips pulling into a grimace.
“I think it’s great. I love seeing you happy,” Antonio says. “Did you hear what happened to Sorella?” he whispers in my ear.
“No, and I don’t want to know. Stop talking,” I add. “They’re calling for quiet.”
The board of The Commission stands on the makeshift podium with their underbosses andconsiglieri. It’s only the five existing board members before us. The decision was taken, at the last minute, not to announce the four new members even though they have been sworn in. It gives us an element ofsurprise we might need later. Dad, Leo, and Alesso are fully informed, because they are trusted implicitly, but none of the other underbosses orconsiglieriwere notified.
Don Greco welcomes everyone and quickly outlines the plan. “You will split into your designated groups and follow yourcapoto your assigned transportation. If anyone is in need of additional weapons or a vest, spare supplies are in the cordoned-off area at the back.” He points toward the corner on the left where a temporary tent is erected. “When on location, you will be given direct instructions. Do not deviate from the plan. Follow yourcapo’sinstructions to the letter.”
Don Mazzone speaks next. “We are well prepared, but expect our enemy to be well prepared too. They know we are coming, and this will be bloody. Not everyone will make it home after tonight.”
A solemn hush descends over the crowd.
“We protect our own,” Joshua says, his voice projecting confidently across the room. “The medical team is on standby, reinforced with additional resources and a centralized facility.” Nat explained how they have been working over the past year to transform one of the Caltimore Holdings buildings into a private hospital, purely formafioso. They will open their doors for the first time tonight. “If you are injured, find a safe space to hide until we come for you.”
“For those who die with honor tonight, know we will take care of your families,” Caleb says. “They will be cared for and protected.”
It’s Fiero’s turn next. Don Maltese clears his throat. “Earlier today, we rounded up one hundred and eleven men who were traitors working with our enemy from within ourfamiglie.”
