“None of us will forget, Alexander,” Sinclair answered. “Don Russo also lost a son. With our detective skills, we were able to bring his family peace.”
“Peace,” I gritted out. “Is there such a thing?”
“Not according to our father,” Alexander stated, glancing from one brother to another before returning his gaze outside. “But I believe there can be, which was why the alliance was puttogether. Did my wife’s relationship with Vitelli Russo have a part to do with my decision? Only to a small degree. What I’m telling all of you is that we do not do anything rash. Again.”
Every look he threw me was filled with additional animosity.
“Alliances only last for as long as it’s helpful to the parties involved,” I reminded him, which was something our father had taught us.
Alexander took a deep and elongated breath indicating irritation. He certainly didn’t like to be reminded he didn’t lead in the same manner as our father had.
“Your information regarding the Russos’ involvement was from something one of the delivery drivers told you?” Alexander was still standing in front of the window overlooking his pool. I understood why. His lovely wife Catherine was enjoying spending time in the shallow end of the pool with their two-year-old. With yet another baby on the way, their housekeeper was paying as close attention to what was happening by the pool as Alexander was.
His wife and child had become everything to him, his fear of losing them not something he would share with anyone, but I knew my brother well enough to know what he was thinking. At any time, our weaknesses could be used against us. He’d been the first family member on a plane, flying to college when he’d heard the news about my girlfriend. He’d been there to ensure I didn’t fall into an abyss.
While some in the family might say he’d softened around the edges with being a husband and father, I knew better. When he handled a situation, it was done more brutally than before. That’s why no one dared cross him.
Sinclair lifted his eyebrows. As next in line should anything happen to Alexander, he wasn’t nearly as cautious, even with having a beautiful wife as well. “From what little I know about Sergio, he’s definitely the rebel of the Russo family. Just like our Jaxon is with ours.”
“Sergio is a smart man even so young,” I offered. “With Carmine at the helm, he was promoted and obviously his loyalty tested. From what I heard, Carmine and Sergio don’t see eye to eye with everything. Maybe he’s doing this on his own. Maybe there’s a reason we haven’t been made aware of.”
“Or perhaps he’s making a play whether to show both loyalty and strength or as a part of a calculated move by Carmine.” Sinclair eyed me closely.
Montgomery nodded several times. “Jaxon’s assessment is a sound one. I’m not suggesting we go off halfcocked and start a war with the Russos, but I do think we need to put them on notice that we won’t accept any bullshit.”
“Oh, I think murdering several men in their possible employ did that,” Alexander huffed as he turned around, his eyes leveled on me.
He was pissed I’d taken it upon myself to exterminate the cockroaches. “It was necessary. You taught me that.”
My brother looked me up and down before heading in my direction. “Yes, I did. As always, when an alliance is in place, there needs to be second guessing of decisions made. Betrayal by anyone provided our good graces isn’t optional. You all know that. However, we’ve worked very hard to eliminate issues with our enemies. I heard what you said about Sergio and Carmine isan odd bird, but we must maintain the alliance if at all possible. You should have come to me first, Jax.”
“Yes, sir,” I said, biting back what I really wanted to say.
“Which is why the alliance was a good decision, Alex, but Jaxon is right. We need to set a physical example even if diplomacy is needed.” Thankfully, Sinclair was backing me.
“We should find out if Sergio acted on his own,” Montgomery suggested. “Carmine is an asshole, but he’s not a stupid man. He won’t go against the Prince family. He knows what will happen.”
We were a much larger organization and could physically crush them if we so desired. However, we’d mingled just enough business in the three years to make the situation difficult to untangle.
“Unless Anna is a plant.” At least Sinclair had heard my logic.
“For whom? She’s been in New York for years.” Montgomery laughed.
“Cosa Nostra syndicates form closer ties. The Five Families of Italy keep a close eye on those operating under their blanket of protection. The Russos might be considered weakened given their alliance with our family, but they still have Cosa Nostra blood.”
Alexander studied me as soon as I offered the reminder. “You are correct.”
That was it?
Was it possible Anna had met Sergio at some point in the past? Or… Being Italian, was there a darker, deeper connection to the Cosa Nostra?
Something about her attitude and the damn bruise continued to trouble me. What she didn’t have was a social media footprint. None. I’d checked every one of them.
Alexander never blinked and seconds ticked by. “Yes, the woman. I understand you irritated our sister last night with wild accusations.”
What the fuck? My guess was my beloved sister had told dear Don that I had suspicions about Anna’s origin and nationality. “We had a slight disagreement.”
At least he seemed amused, which was a far cry from what I’d seen only a few minutes before. “A disagreement? Emme was very clear she wished you to be dropped in a vat of oil after being skewered. And I quote her exact comment to me. That was after I managed to calm her down.”
