“His capo was out of town. He had business over in Chicago. Every blooded man who worked for him, or next to him, had an alibi. Wherever they claimed to be checked out, backed by witnesses that I personally tracked. His death was too neat and final for a Don like my son.” Di Lucas’ voice cracked with emotion.
The old man clutched his chest like it was too painful to breathe.
“Any women?” Luca asked, opening his eyes.
Di Lucas shook his head.
“That’s the hole. Nobody knows who he was with. No escort booked under his name from House of Angels, which I knew…he’d never go that low on Lucille. None of his mistresses claimed to be with him either, but if there was one of them…they weren’t new. I looked every whore in the eyes that came to the funeral. Lucille killed one that claimed to have bastard sons by him.”
Luca’s gaze drifted across the estate grounds, his thoughts moved swiftly in his head. His father had other kids that he was never introduced to because of Lucille. He knew how they looked and their names but never was allowed a relationship with his half siblings. He knew that his father was a part of all of their lives and took care of his kids and women both financially and emotionally.
His grandfather took back his cognac then slammed the glass down so hard it chipped a little at the bottom. It took him some time to lean forward slowly. He wiped the remnants of the liquor from his salt and pepper beard and spoke harshly above a whisper.
“Start with those whores of his…every woman whoever laid in his bed.” He bowed his head in sadness. “It hurts me to say this, son.” He stared into Luca’s eyes unblinking. “Include Lucille as well. I’ll understand if you can’t bring yourself to murder her if it checks out…however you and I both need closure. I won’t be able to rest properly without knowing who made me bury my son before he could bury me.”
Luca’s eyes widened just a bit, emotion breaking through on his stone set face. Since his meeting with his mother, he tried his hardest to shut down those accusations. Her not wanting to talk about his father’s death left a bitter taste in his mouth. He also knew that if his grandfather been out here doing foot work then some shit smelled funny to him. Di Lucas was showing respect in recognizing who the new Don was, but made it clear to Luca that he expected answers.
It was a bad look for a Don not to have proper answers to what happen. People made up stories, some even claimed to take the Don out themselves for the credit that followed with it.
“Betrayal don’t always come from enemies…sometimes it be the person that sleep next to you. Eat with you…and call you family. I’ve learned the hard way over the years. I’m not saying that your mother had anything to do with it…but she knows something. Something has been keeping that woman busy and away from here…Maybe it’s me being in her space.” He shrugged and chuckled dryly.
“There’s been bloodshed from her hands, I’ve seen raw emotions as well. Your uncle came from my ball sack and crossed me in many ways.” Di Lucas shook his head, face frowned in utter disgust for his first born.
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken names. Di Lucas didn’t hold back, he didn’t candy coat nothing. Luca appreciated the old man and his raw bluntness. Luca took another sip of tea, letting the warmth settle his throat.
“I’m not keeping the same table.” He cleared his throat. “I’m bringing in new blooded men, no blood ties to my father’s generation. I served time with two of them, they provedthemselves. The other’s, Roy and I have vetted and known since we were young,” Luca’s whisper was clearer and steadier.
“I know you well, my son.” Di Lucas smiled.
“I sat with the table against Lucille’s wishes. The table is now empty, pockets were greased and those men families inherited generational wealth. There will be no problems nor push backs from any of them. Handle things from here how you see fit. Everything will be fine being on pause for a couple of weeks while you take care of what’s important.” Di Lucas’ mouth curved, but it didn’t form into a smile, more like a sneer.
“Your father cleared out the old table when I left. That is how you bring in a new proper era—” Di Lucas paused his words to take a new glass from the server filled with more cognac.
He licked his lips before taking a sip, eyes glued to her backside as she sashayed away.
“I got to negotiate her with Lucille, her beauty speaks to my old soul,” Di Lucas said in a hushed tone.
“You don’t inherit power, Luca. You remake it,” he continued, sitting the glass down.
Luca met his gaze. Approval flickered across Di Lucas’ face without any reservation.
“So let me rephrase my first statement from earlier… I stayed to have some answers for you that I knew nobody would tell you. I also stayed to see if you had your father’s heart…or his mind…Turns out, you got both.” He nodded his head with a genuine smile.
The wind moved through the trees again, steady and cool. Di Lucas thought about his other grandson and frowned. Kentrellreminded him of his son Lennox. It hurt him to his soul how things turned out to be with both men. He regretted not killing Lennox when he had the perfect opportunity. He looked Luca in the eyes and saw that his grandson would be able to put an end to the disloyalty that tainted the Bonetti legacy.
There were sins committed that couldn’t be forgiven. Di Lucas had the answers he needed but wanted his grandson to figure out while learning a painful lesson and new reality. He knew that Luca had the ability to lead and would hold court for all the wrongdoing of his bloodline without having to intervene.
“Kentrell brings dishonor to the Bonetti legacy as well. He’s got a whore out in the ghetto by the name of Tracy. She’s over on the Southside of L.A. He got twin young boys by her, by the name of Cain and Abel. He does not acknowledge them…to busy stuffing his nose with poison and sticking his dick in any available hole. Look into those boys; they have our last name.”
“Kentrell and I don’t speak… I have no words for him, as long as he keeps his distance.” Luca’s words came out slow but his point was made.
He took another sip of tea, cleared his throat and continued.
“Once I have a visit with my new fiancé, I will pay a visit to Cain and Abel.”
Di Lucas nodded his head.
“I had one of my men bring them to me… They are eight years old, looks like Kentrell and their behavior matches their dad. Their mother Tracy was busy on her back and didn’t even notice they were snatched. I sent them back before midnight with money, toys, and guns.” Di Lucas smiled sinisterly.
