Maximo raises his hand. Casella follows. Valente and Rizzo glance at each other before they both raise their hands in the air.
“Welcome tola famiglia,Signora Pontrelli.” Valente stands. Coming over, he sets a gun and a knife in front of me, then drops a holy card on my clean white plate. It’s Saint Joan of Arc.
Everything seems surreal as I’m led through the initiation ceremony. Maximo’s eyes shine bright with pride as he pricks my finger, releasing drops of blood onto the holy card before setting it on fire. It smolders on my plate as I recite theOmertà. The vow of silence.
I also swear loyalty and obedience.
“If I break these vows, I will burn in hell,” I murmur with conviction. The weight of what I’ve done hits me hard. I’m a sworn member of the four families. Now that I’ve been initiated, Maximo can officially declare me his second in command.
The dons all rise to their feet. They speak in unison. “You live by the gun and blade, and you die by the gun and blade.Che Dio abbia pietà della tua anima.”May God have mercy on your soul.
CHAPTER 62
Maximo
Bringing Elena on as my underboss went smoothly. It helps that Roman de Luca agreed to fill the role of my consigliere. He’s advised us both through the few objections we’ve received from those upset about having a woman boss. Now those complaints have quieted—or been dealt with.
As I turn my attention to other issues, my top priority is Julianna. My trusted soldiers have been guarding her for the past few weeks, but I need a full-time bodyguard for her. Someone I can trust completely. A professional who has no ties to the underworld.
My requirements aren’t easy to fulfill. In fact, there’s only one man who can do the job. I just need to figure out how to get him to take it.
I call the only number I have for Niall Bane. He answers with his professional greeting, “Bane Security.”
“I want to hire you to guard my sister.”
“No.” He hangs up.
His response is exactly what I expected. Undeterred, I call him right back. He’ll learn soon enough that I don’t takenofor an answer.
He barks, “I saidno, Pontrelli.”
“I don’t usually like that word, but in this case the fact that you refuse only tells me you’re the perfect man for the job.”
He hesitates. “How do you figure that?”
“Because any other man would jump at the chance to be in my debt. To be this close to my family. To use this position to their advantage. The fact that you don’t want the job tells me you’re not after any of that.”
“True. But the answer’s stillno. I’ve got work to?—”
“Name your price.”
“Don’t insult me like that, Pontrelli,” he grumbles. “I’m not for sale. And I certainly don’t guard mafia princesses from potentially chipping a nail.”
I’m going to have to give him more than just dollar signs. Niall Bane strikes me as the kind of man who needs a special kind of motivating force. What can you offer a man who already has everything? He wants a challenge.
So I give him one. “His name is Nero Mosetti. He’s after my sister. Look him up and call me back.” This time, I hang up on him.
“Maximo!” Elena calls up the stairs. Something in her tone of voice has me grabbing my gun and rushing to the living room. She and Julianna sit on the sofa, gazes glued to the television.
“What?” My eyes slide to the screen. It’s the news channel.
Heart rate slowing, I sit beside my wife and turn up the volume. Only to have my pulse pounding at my temples in a matter of seconds.
“...another report of a gruesome murder tonight,” the news reporter says, “this time in a Boston suburb. The gory details of this one matches two other recent homicides. One in Providence, Rhode Island. The other in Portland, Maine. A man was seen in the vicinity of this latest crime. Authorities say if you see this man, do not engage, and call 911.”
A sketch fills the screen.Fucking hell.The likeness isn’t far off. My fingers curl into fists. NerofuckingMosetti.
“It’s him, isn’t it?” Julianna whispers in fear.
