“She’s with me,” I say flatly.
Charlie opens her mouth, but no words come out.
Stefano recoils, annoyed. “Is that smart? Look what happened last time.”
I point at her. “She’s Carlisi. Not me, not you. This was Caterina’s plan for her to take over. Like it or not, it’s happening.” I slam my hands on the desk, and Charlie flinches.
“I’ll do whatever you say, Luciano,” she says, trying to prove herself.
“No,” I growl. “You’ll lead.” Silence falls, their faces frozen in shock.
Stefano straightens. “But—”
“Enough!” I roar, standing and knocking over my chair. Turning to Charlie, I say, “You have one day. Come up with a plan for this takeover.” Then at Stefano, “You follow her orders. If you doubt the plan, help her make it better. I won’t lose any more men.” Stefano nods, resigned. I storm out, leaving them behind, including Charlie.
I need air, clarity. I call for my car and drive straight to the cemetery. To my father’s grave, a place that I only visit in desperate times. Maybe he can give me the answers I can’t seem to find on my own.
33
Charlie
“What the hell just happened?” I glare at the brothers, still stunned after Luciano’s storming exit. It was like a switch flipped inside him.
“No clue,” Mattia mumbles from his spot on the floor, not looking up.
“So, what now?” I plead, desperate for some guidance, wanting to get in Luciano’s good books.
"Do what he says. Plan the takeover, Charlie," Stefano snaps, already heading out the door.
I mutter under my breath, “And they say girls are moody,” earning a chuckle from Mattia and a smirk from Carlo—my two favorite brothers. Turning back to them, I say, “Looks like I’m riding with you guys back to the house.”
Mattia shoots me a glance, nodding toward the tarp-covered body. “We’re kind of in the middle of something.”
“And?”
“Just shove him in the boot or whatever you do, then drop me back first,” Carlo grumbles.
“Fine.”
“Shotgun,” I call, pointing at Mattia.
He groans. “I hate sitting in the back.”
“Grow up, you two,” Carlo grunts.
“But you love us like this,” I tease, patting Carlo’s shoulder. He shrugs me off, grabbing his end of the bundle.
“Lift,” he tells Mattia.
“Won’t someone see you?” I ask.
Mattia shrugs. “The only ones left around here get paid to deal with this shit.”
“Right…” I say, locking the office door behind us. We pile into the car, the silence thick between us. “So, any tips on planning this takeover?”
Carlo just grunts, shaking his head.
“You, Mattia?” I lean forward, searching his face.
