"We all have important things to do with our time," he glances at his watch. "What is the reason for this meeting?"
Meetings like this are rarely held, but when they are, they have a huge impact and significance in our world. Vito leans closer to the mic, setting his elbow on the desk. "A meeting like this hasn't been held in years," Vito says, his voice commanding the attention of everyone.
"So, first off, I would love to welcome everyone. Thank you for honoring this invite."
Declan's voice comes in. "An invite sent from one Don to another has to be honored."
A subtle way to say he was forced to attend this meeting. Vito's eyes shoot to him before settling on the rest of us. He stands slowly, my eyes following his movement as he moves away from his seat.
"It's no secret our families have been at each other's throats for years now," he begins, raising one hand to his chin. "But for how long will this continue... Clear boundaries need to be set since we operate on the same turf."
A few discomforted grunts fill the air, but Vito doesn't acknowledge them.
"You mean the recent incident, like overrunning our shipment?" Declan's voice booms in the air.
The room immediately grows uncomfortable, and the air fills with murmurs and complaints from these powerful men. I look at Declan, and that sick smirk tugs at his lips. Vito is calm, too calm. He assesses the situation like he's mapping out a plan in his head.
Words and accusations fly through the air. "If I decide to list the boundaries Declan has crossed, no one will be sitting here anymore. We might as well point a gun at each other's heads and pull the trigger."
"You're still not getting to the point, Rosso," Declan says, frustration lining his face. "Why are we here?"
"Because I want the Irish to know that you're not fit to be their leader," Vito hits the nail on the head, and Declan's eyes narrow with hate. His gaze flicks to me, but I look away from him.
"What are you talking about, Vito?" a man from the Italian side speaks.
"There are lines we just don't cross, Declan, and you did..." Vito says, slowly returning to his seat. "I can sit here and spend all day listing why you're not a fit leader. I think I'll let someone else do the talking."
On cue, Liam walks into the room, wearing a perfectly tailored suit, his hair styled for the occasion. Declan shoots up from his chair. I've never seen him this shocked in my life. He swallows, his chest rising and falling, and I've never felt more satisfied.
A few gasps fill the air, mainly on the Irish side.
"Liam, is that you?" Connor asks, almost lifting off his seat. Liam has been gone for so long that everyone has written him off as dead. To see him appear like this is a shock to everyone.
"In the flesh, Connor," Liam answers. His eyes flick to me, then land on Declan.
"What... How..." Declan trails off. "Where have you been?"
"Here and there, but I was always close, watching everything that's been happening," Liam replies, taking a slow stroll down the long table.
Eyes follow him as he moves. "Declan is not fit to lead this family," Liam says, and Declan's face twitches, rage oozing off him in waves.
"You walk in here after all these years, and what... You say I'm not fit to run this family?" Declan snaps. "You were gone," he says, meeting the eyes of the Irish family.
"And I was here. I stood by this family and continued to build us."
"You can't say you're building when your methods are against those of the family," Liam responds with a raised voice. "When you wanted to spill the blood of your own to start a war."
Declan is shocked, his eyes flick to mine, and it begins to click for him. "I did no such thing," Declan says, but I can hear the uncertainty in his voice. Liam nods, his lips curling into a smirk. "Well... let's see if I lied or not," he says, bringing out the recorder from his pocket.
He presses play and sets it on the desk.
"You see, my plan was to kill the Rosso girl,"Declan's voice plays, low but deadly."That would have gotten me what I wanted. The Italians would have retaliated. The war would've started."
A short pause settles before the recording continues."But if I had and the Italians decided not to engage, then it would have been a total waste. I have an even better plan..."his voice darkens."I'll kill you, Finn, and make it seem like the Italians did it."
Shocked gasps escape the lips of everyone in the room.
"The Irish would have no option but to go to war to avenge you,"he adds, almost thoughtfully, like it's poetry.
