A huge one.
"Do you know the story between him and Alexei?" I ask.
Gabe shakes his head. "No. Artem didn't share. Just said Alexei owed him. That using me to draw him out was perfect." He pauses. "Whatever it is, it's personal. Deep. The kind of grudge that doesn't end."
Gabe takes a deep breath. "That's good though, right? That info? I can get more. I'm good at stuff like that."
I roll my eyes.
"Get him out of here," I tell my men. "Hand him over to the feds and make sure they understand the terms."
"Adrian!"
"Yes, sir."
I don't look back as I walk out. Don't watch as they unchain him. Don't care about his protests or pleas or curses.
Gabriel Romano is done. Finished. No longer a threat.
One problem solved.
A hundred more waiting.
When I meet Sera at the hospital later, she sees the blood under my nails. Doesn't ask. Just takes my hand and holds it while we watch our son sleep.
One week later, we bury my mother.
The cemetery is cold and gray. Appropriate for a woman who lived her life in shades of ice.
All three of the major families are here. Nero. Morozov. Marini. Soldiers lined up in their best suits. Paying respects to a woman who ruled this city for twenty years.
The service was at the church. Long. Formal. Full of empty words about faith and redemption and peace.
Bianca would have enjoyed the pomp and circumstance of it all. She would have liked seeing all these powerful men bow their heads in respect to her.
There's solace in that.
She's probably laughing up from hell at how she'd managed to bring all these powerful men to their knees.
I stand at the front of her grave watching detachedly as they lower her into the ground.
Sera is beside me. She's still recovering, but she insisted on being here.
My wife. Supporting me even when she can barely stand. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I know I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to earn her.
Luc is on my other side. Gemma next to him. Both in black. Both silent.
We haven't had time to talk about what all of this means. Between Sera, Angelo, and taking over as Don, I've been stretched thin.
And yet, my siblings remain at my side, showing a united front as the other families watch us.
I don't cry. Don't show emotion. Just stand there as they lower her into the ground.
She made me what I am. For better or worse.
And now she's gone.
Antonio Marini approaches first, shaking my hands and offering me condolences. He asks about Angelo, a small smile on his face.
