“So, a woman… Kentrell’s woman,” Di Lucas sneered, squinting his eyes in disbelief. “She’s making you go back to that mutism shit.” Di Lucas’ voice shook in anger.
“She really just left like that?” Roy shook his head, trying his best to soften the blow of the old man’s words.
“She just fuckin’ left without a good explanation.”Luca signed angrily.
“Women don’t run without a reason,” Di Lucas spat.
Luca’s hands paused from signing; he searched his mind a million times on what the reason could have been besides her being hurt in the past and scared to take a leap of faith with him.
“What is she hiding?”He signed.
“Love has made you fucking dumb.” Di Lucas sneered with disgust.
“Did you miss what I said? She was Kentrell’s woman, as far as I’m concerned.” Di Lucas picked his cane up. He lifted into the air and aimed it directly at Luca. “Lucille, Kentrell, Lennox, and this La’Nova bitch… One of them pulled the trigger and killed my fucking son.”
Di Lucas slammed his cane against the floor. He used it as an anchor to stand. It took him a full sixty seconds in total to pull his frail frame up to his full height. He straightened his posture, eyes blazing in Luca’s direction.
“You have the answers, old man. It’s why you haven’t went back to Thailand.”Luca signed the words sharply.
La’Nova’s name being mentioned as a suspect twisted his stomach inside out.
“It does not matter what it is I know, son. It’s what I want you to know.” Di Lucas looked away from Luca.
He was tired of being in California. When he arrived months ago, he was ready to burn it down before things started to make sense. He knew that Luca would avenge his son. But Di Luca also sticked around to be there for Luca during his mourning. Luca didn’t use him as a shoulder to lean on. He distanced himself from everyone including his capo, Roy.
“I’ve made peace with a few things…” He took his time sitting back down.
“I made my peace with who killed my son, as well as who all betrayed him. You need to make peace with it soon… I’m not saying for you to get over my Donnie, but… I want you to learn how to live with him no longer being here to guide you. There are two people that must die…” He pointed his finger at Luca then took another sip of his cognac.
“Lennox and Kentrell. My son’s murder will be avenged. I don’t give a fuck what you find out… who life you choose to spare but those two…. Have. To. Die.” He tossed back the rest of his liquor.
Luca didn’t react outwardly. Inside, something clicked, and it all made sense to him.
“I don’t got many visits left in me, Luca. My body knows that, even if my pride doesn’t.”
Roy looked away, jaw set tight. He loved Di Lucas Bonetti and respected him as if he was his biological grandfather. He talked to the old man on the phone more than his own father. He was full of wisdom. Roy couldn’t imagine getting a call saying that he passed on.
“I see how you are moving. New table. New blood. Silence instead of noise, that’s how real Don’s move. It’s a big reason why I haven’t gotten involved, and I would like to keep it that way.”
Luca’s left leg started to bounce impatiently. He remembered the way Di Lucas spoke in so many riddles, always challenging, sometimes comforting, but never easy in getting to the main point. Roy felt the weight of the moment settle on his shoulders, knowing that each conversation might be their last. Once Di Lucas fell off the grid, it wasn’t easy to get in contact with him unless he wanted to talk. The room seemed colder and heavy with unspoken truth and the burden of a legacy that Luca was determined to carry on his back.
There was no point in Luca signing or speaking any words. Once Di Lucas spoke and paused in the middle of a speech, he never stopped until he was up and walking toward the door.
“That girl.” Di Lucas shook his head, hating that La’Nova and Luca even crossed paths.
He knew all about La’Nova, her parents and how his son killed them. She was out for blood, and it didn’t matter to her how long it would take to taste it. Women’s patience was better than men’s.
“You’ll find her.” He smirked evilly. “Or she’ll find her way back. Truth always circles home.” He twirled his index finger into a full circle.
“Now I’m gonna say this and be done.” Di Lucas looked at Luca then Roy with a small smile on his face.
“Power is simple and clean. You give an order… It’s done. You build, destroy and protect what’s yours.” Di Lucas shrugged nonchalantly.
“Love is not like that.” He shook his head adamantly.
“Love.” He fixed his gaze on the empty glass as he continued. “Is the only thing in life that does not respect rank. It doesn’t care how lethal you are and who fears you. Doesn’t care how many men stand when you walk into a room.” His lip twitched faintly.
“It will have you standing for someone else and standing for something you’d never imagined yourself rising for.”
