"You have to be careful, O. For what happened, they might take our properties or demote you to a capo.”
“Enough! What’s with you being so fucking negative lately? It’s not my time to die yet. I plan on living a long fucking time.”
“I’m just worried, okay? We’ve worked hard to get the family as far as we have…”
“And we’re going to go to the top. Soon Ricci and Greco will be out of the way and we will be the only powerful family in Verona Heights.”
“Are you planning on telling Papa?”
Othello shook his head. “No, Alessandro and Maria don't need to be bothered on their vacation."
"But what if they..."
"Iago, stop. I'll be fine. We'll be fine. If they demote me, you'll be the don."
A gleam flashed in Iago's eyes but disappeared quickly at the mention of him becoming the don, and if Othello hadn't been paying attention, he would have missed it.
"I'm not don material," he said softly. "If I were, Papa would have picked me over you."
"There was more to Alessandro choosing me than you," Othello said.
"Yeah, what's that?"
"You're not a killer. You're strategic and tough; you can handle yourself in a fight, but killing is not your thing. Growing up, you were the one who came up with all the plans; I followed them. The night we were ambushed, you went and hid, Iago."
"I..." Iago started, but Othello stopped him.
"Don't try to defend it. I know that you did. I'm not mad at you for that. You did what you had to do."
"Then it proves I'm not cut out to be a don."
Othello smiled and placed a gentle hand on Iago's shoulder. "If I get demoted, I will have your back just as I know you will have mine."
Iago smiled and cupped the back of his neck, bringing their foreheads together. "Damn right, I will."
They chuckled and spent the next few hours discussing everything under the sun and moon. After a couple of drinks and a long talk, Iago finally went home. Othello felt it was too late to call Des and planned to see him in the morning to make up with his lover.
The next morning,Othello groaned, reaching for his phone when it vibrated. He hadn't slept well since he'd grown used to Des being next to him. He grabbed his phone and saw that it was Zoraki Law calling.
"You better have a good reason for waking me up."
The throaty laughter on the other end of the phone made him scowl.
"I'm in your neck of the woods, my friend,” Zoraki said in perfect English.
"Why?"
Zoraki Law was born in Japan, but his parents moved to the States when he was five. They’d moved back a few years later.
It was then that he found out that Zoraki was part of the yakuza and had moved up in the ranks, becoming the leader, which was handed over to Zoraki after his death. When Othello set up the meeting with Kurohue's rival, he had no idea it was Zoraki since he had changed his name and persona after moving back to Japan.
"I'm meeting with an investor. I knew you'd be interested in it."
"Really?" That had Othello sitting up in bed. "Who?"
"Cassio Ricci."
"When did he contact you?" Othello asked seriously. "And why am I just now hearing about it?"
