"That would be…wow. Libertà, finalmenti!(Freedom, at last!)But I cannot let myself believe it just yet. I need to hear it from Ennio or Luca."
We keep watching the screen.
The reporters show short clips of Rocco at a recent banquet, talking with the city’s mayor.
They present a brief history of my family and repeatedly express hope that Ennio will inherit the position, and also debate whether the Russians, seeing the turmoil within the Ferro family, might try to make a move on its territories.
I listen to all of it in the same dazed state I fell into after speaking with Rocco earlier.
Back then, it was shock tied to events that could have ended our lives. Now it is shock tied to my psycho brother’s death.
I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around it. It hasn’t really hit me yet, as if I’m dreaming, and I even discreetly pinch my forearm because it honestly feels like a fairy tale.
So I keep staring at the screen.
Eventually my eyes start to hurt from the tension, my neck muscles go numb, emotions boiling inside me.
"I have to call. I just have to."
I jump to my feet.
Salt rushes after me.
We head to the call room.
Unfortunately, no staff member is on duty at the moment. But the computer used for calls is still on, unattended.
"Maybe we can make this work somehow," Salt murmurs, scrolling through the recently used applications. "Looks like it’s a system that routes calls to regular phones. Let’s try."
He launches the program.
I quickly type in Ennio’s number and choose audio only, no video.
He answers after ten rings.
"It’s me, Eliano…"
"Sorry, Eliano, I’m a bit busy right now."
"Just tell me one thing. Is it true? Is he really gone, or is this some kind of setup?" I blurt out.
"It’s true. I have to go. We’ll talk later."
"Wait. Ennio, hai u me’ rispettu. Mi mettu sutta a to’ cumannu. Di oggi giuru fedeltà a tia."(Ennio, you have my respect. I place myself under your command. From today, I swear fealty to you.)
"U to’ giuramentu di lealtà è accittatu."(Your pledge of loyalty is accepted.)
The line goes dead.
I push myself away from the table, letting out a deep breath.
Salt stands next to me, staring uncertainly.
I burst out laughing, almost wild, grab him, lift him off the ground, and spin him around with a wide grin.
"Call me a monster, but this might be the best day of my life, fuck! The fear is over, Salt. Do you understand? I don’t have to leave you to kill him, and we won’t have to run anymore. Ennio will be the new capo, or Luca, I don’t know, but neither of them will want me dead. We’re solid."
Salt laughs too, letting out little squeaks as I keep spinning him. Then he suddenly leans in, grabs my face with both hands, and kisses me hard and deep.
