"Check mate." Nicolo's nostrils flare at the pronouncement, and he's doing his best to keep his temper in check. I don't let my satisfaction show.
"Good game, uncle." I tell him, taking a step back to put some distance between us.
In an unprecedented gesture, Nicolo inclines his head and half-bows to me.
"Capo." He says through gritted teeth.
He knows he's lost, but at least he still has his dignity. For now, the plan is working. Although I'm not so naïve as to think this would stop Nicolo from further plotting taking over the famiglia.
One by one, the other members of the famiglia repeat the gesture, swearing fealty to me as the new Capo.
When the entire ceremony is done, I announce my next intentions. Knowing that Nicolo will just lay in wait, I need to quickly consolidate power. Being Capo is not enough.
"There are two things that I'd like to discuss, and which are on my agenda as the official Capo." I start. Francesco had gotten in touch with the staff, and more drinks had been served before my speech.
"Before Romina's death, the Lastra family enjoyed good relations with the Agostis. I intend to rectify that, by marrying within the Agosti family. In fact, I will have a meeting with Enzo Agosti, the new Agosti Capo, in the following days."
There's a lot of cheering, and people seem in favor of this decision. I can see from the corner of my eye that some don't look too happy. The same ones that had looked suspicious during the dinner. Interesting...
"Aside from that, you must all be aware by now of some problems in New Jersey. Some of our shipments to New York have been stopped and seized at the NJ entry points."
Everyone nods. It's not news for them either—most of them being directly involved with the chain of supply.
"I'll be partnering up with Russian Bratva, and the Agosti family, to find whoever is responsible for this and make sure they pay for this offence. I want everyone on standby for future orders."
My speech is interrupted by a phone's beep sound. It's followed by more ringtones, including my own. Everyone in the room is now checking their phones.
"Yes," I answer at the same time as Nicolo picks up his phone.
"Irish attack in Newark." Vlad's grim tone greets me on the other line.
"And?"
"Stolen merchandise and casualties. Both our sides. It's a declaration."
I purse my lips.
"At least we know who's doing it now." I reply.
Vlad chuckles on the other line.
"They don't know what they've unleashed."
I smile at that.
"It's on." I add before hanging up.
The men are all sporting a worried look on their faces. Everyone's heard about the attack by now.
"And we are officially at war with the Irish. I want everyone to send me a report with what you do, how many men you have under you, and your precise schedules and locations."
"Yes!" Everyone agrees in unison.
"Good. Meeting over." Nicolo is watching me with an inscrutable look on his face.
"You'll be the end of this family, boy. Mark my words."
I freeze at his appellation, something that father used to call me. Trying to mask my features, I answer.
"Be careful about your end, uncle. It might come sooner than you think." I leave the threat hanging.
After everyone's left, Vlad texts me a meeting spot, and I join him to assess the casualties.
THE ATTACK HAD BEEN too well coordinated. Both Vlad and I came to that conclusion, given the timing and the location. Aside from the merchandise, we'd also ended up losing a few people.
"A mole." Vlad had declared, and I'd grimly agreed.
Things were deteriorating faster than I'd imagined, and so I'd resolved to act faster too. I'd scheduled a meeting with Enzo for the following day.
Which is why I was now sitting in his foyer, waiting to be received in his study.
"Signor Agosti can see you now." A burly man glared at me before showing me to the study.
"Marcello." Enzo regards me with a wide smile. "It's been too long."
Or not long enough, I want to mutter, but I have to do this.
"Enzo." I nod at him before taking a seat.
"So many surprises lately, wouldn't you say?" Enzo's movements are sluggish, and it's obvious he is still not completely recovered. Just a week ago he'd been in the ICU fighting for his life. He's resilient... I'll give him that.
"My condolences for your father."
"Good riddance." Enzo waves his hand dismissively. "Just like your own old man."
"Indeed." I purse my lips, but don't comment.
"Do tell, Marcello. What is the purpose for this visit?" His smile is cunning, but he must be aware of the purpose.
"To bury the hatchet, so to speak."
"You know, just because your brother is dead, that doesn't mean our conflict ends."
"I'm sure you've heard how Jimenez died." I go straight to the point. That he received me this civil tells me he is willing to have a proper discussion, regardless of the past.
"Some." He looks intrigued, so I continue.
"I was there. So was my brother. Valentino was the one who killed Jimenez—retribution for Romina's death." I stop to gauge his reaction.
"Go on." Enzo urges me.
"Jimenez used Romina's death to drive a rift between our families."
"And then he picked on us one at a time." Enzo interrupts. "I must admit, I'd been thinking about this for a while. You just confirmed my suspicions. When my father first got involved with the Irish, I advised him to keep our options open, but he was bent on pursuing that partnership. But, alas, I will not blame my father for this entirely, since I didn't exactly do much to stop it. I was blinded by the possibilities too."
"So you suspected them?"
"Suspect? Hmm... I wouldn't say suspect, in as much as I didn't trust their intentions. But I never thought they would work for Jimenez. And that was my mistake."
"I don't think anyone could have known. The Irish aren't known to work with the cartels."
"And that's why it was such a brilliant move. They played us on our expectations." Enzo taps his pen on the table. "The world is changing, but we aren't. Our families are too steeped in tradition."
"Maybe we can do something about it."
"Hmm... lofty aspirations for someone who left, Marcello."
"It might be doable." I continue.
Enzo shrugs. "Then you might as well get to why you came here."
I clear my throat. "I want an alliance. I want our families to get along as they did before."
"Interesting." Enzo replies and stands up, heading towards his decanter. Pouring two drinks, he hands me a glass. "Are you saying what I think you're saying, Marcello?" Enzo raises an eyebrow at me.
"Yes." I answer.
"I must inquire about the marriageable girls of age. I have to warn you, though. You won't have too many choices."
"As long as she's of age." I say and almost grimace at my words. That would mean an eighteen-year-old. What do I even do with someone that young?
"Not picky." Enzo chuckles. "I like that."
"You'd be in favor of a match?"
"It would be the solution for both our problems, wouldn't it?" Enzo takes a sip from his drink.
"Indeed." I empty my glass and stand up. "Let me know who you've chosen, and we'll set a date."
"You really don't care?" He probes further, but I just shake my head.
"What's there to care? It's my duty." I shrug.
Chapter Seven
"ENZO!" MY VOICE GOES up a notch. "I've been worried."
"Piccola, I am fine." He coughs. "Not that I was fine before."
"What do you mean?"
"We were attacked. Rocco's dead." My fingers tighten on the phone. He is? A surge of happiness envelops me. My father is dead.
"What about you? Please tell me you're ok!"
"I'm out of the danger zone, don't worry. They discharged
me from the hospital a couple of days ago."
"Good! That's good! But... does that mean?" I ask hesitantly.
"Not now, piccola... It's extremely dangerous. I barely made it out alive myself. We have enemies gunning for our territories. I can't expose you to that." He explains, and my face falls. "Soon. Just wait a little longer."
"Ok." I whisper.
"How is my favorite niece?"
"She's good. She can't wait to see you. When will you be visiting?"
"I'll try to be there by the end of the week. I'll see you then, piccola."
"Yes, thank you, Enzo. I am really glad you're fine."
"Don't worry about me, I am a hard man to kill." He chuckles, but I don't share the sentiment.
After I hang up, I hide my phone in its special place. We rarely get inspections in here, but it's better to be careful. Mother Superior's always had a grudge against me, and I don't want to do anything that could provoke her. She would just take out her anger on Claudia.
Enzo was injured... that's why he couldn't come. I take a deep breath and sit down, trying to calm my nerves. This is just another reason I hate what my family does. There's always danger. I don't want that for Claudia, and yet, I don't want her to grow up knowing only the walls of this convent either. It's not an ideal situation.
"Mamma!" Claudia opens the door and jumps into my arms.
"There, there, little troublemaker, you'll make me lose my balance." I chide, but she's not deterred.
"Look what I got!" She raises her hand to show me a chocolate bar. I frown.
"Where did you get that?" Only an outsider could bring chocolate inside.
"Father Guerra gave it to me. He said I was an obedient child." She happily recounts and I can't help but smile.
In the days after Father Guerra's introduction, I'd learned to put my bias aside and to warm up to the man. Even though he was from a prominent family, and probably why I'd taken such an instant dislike of him, he'd been nice and kind to us. Even to me. He hadn't let rumors or prejudices cloud his judgement when it came to how he treated us, and I'd been grateful. It was only fair for me to do the same.
He's been particularly kind to Claudia, and I now realize just how much she needs a father figure in her life.
"Then you can eat it after dinner." I tell her and she pouts.
"Can I have a square now?" She bats her eyelashes at me. I'm almost tempted to give in, because she is just too cute when she's trying to get something.
"No. After you eat!"
"Fine." She gives me the chocolate bar, and I put it aside.
"Where is your Aunt Sisi?" Claudia was supposed to be with Sisi...
"She was stopped by Mother Superior. She told me to go ahead."
That's odd. I shrug and put it out of my mind.
"Let's get you dressed."
Sunday dinner is always a more special meal, and Claudia is allowed to wear one of her prettier dresses — not that I'd call any of the things she has to wear pretty. I go to our closet and ask her to pick what she wants to wear this time. She chooses a dusty pink dress. Pulling one of her white shirts from a drawer, I give her that to put on first, and then I help her put on the dress.
"Do my hair too?"
She plops herself in front of the tiny mirror standing on the desk, and I comb her hair. Claudia looks like a mini-me in all aspects but her hair. It's a light brown, almost a sandy blonde. I separate her hair in strands before plaiting it in a long braid. Not for the first time, my thoughts take me to that night... to her biological father. A shudder runs through me. I quickly try to distract myself by listening to her chatter about her school lessons.
"All done."
"Thanks, mamma" She brings her arms around my midriff and gives me a hug.
"There you are." I turn my head and see Sisi come in. She looks as if she's just run a marathon.
"What happened to you?"
Panting, she throws herself on the bed.
"That... ugh... that blasted woman!" She punches the pillow.
"Sisi?"
"Mother Superior. She told me I'm not doing my chores properly and that now I will be assigned double the load... to learn how to work properly she says." More movements from the bed before she jumps to her feet.
"I've never had a complaint before, but suddenly I'm doing everything wrong."
"Sisi..."
"You know what, never mind. I'll do what she says... but that means I won't have that much time to watch Claudia."
"I'm sure we can figure something out." I add.
"And I'm a big girl. I can look after myself." My daughter interjects, causing both Sisi and me to smile.
"Let me get dressed and I'll come with you to dinner." She sighs and takes out a clean outfit.
We all head to the big hall, and trying to avoid the other nuns, we take seats at a table in the farthest corner. I'm used by now with the stares and the malignant whispers, but I'm always trying to minimize Claudia's exposure to those things. Luckily, the food ends up being better than before, and everyone is enjoying it. We finish and take our trays to be washed.
"Can I go eat the chocolate now?" Claudia tugs on my sleeve. Seeing her hopeful face, I can't bring myself to say no.
"Sure. You can go ahead."
"Yayy!" She exclaims before running towards our room.
"You're spoiling her too much." Sisi playfully reprimands me.
"It's the least I can do."
"I wish my mother was like you." Sisi's wistful tone reminds me of that time, years ago, when she'd asked me to be her mother.
I give her hand a quick squeeze in comfort.
When we head back to the room, the convent is quiet. Everyone is probably getting ready for lights out.
"Claudia?" I call my daughter as I open the door to the room. Nothing. I step inside.
"Claudia? It's not funny." I repeat and start looking under the bed, then in the closet. Sisi does the same. But there's only so many places in which you can hide in a tiny room.
"Where could she be?" My heart picks up speed, anxiety climbing through the roof. I look at the spot where I'd put her chocolate and I find it still there, untouched.
"I don't think she came here."
I turn to Sisi and she is just as worried as me.
"You take the west wing; I'll take the east. We'll find her."
Immediately we separate. I run around, asking every single nun if she's seen Claudia. I spot a group of nuns near the graph and I rush to their side.
"Have you seen Claudia?" They scoff their noses at me.
"Can't even take care of your child?" One snorts at me.
I don't even have time to feel offended. I'm once again running, asking a few more nuns whether they've seen Claudia.
"I think so. I'm not sure if it was Claudia." Finally, someone can supply me with some information.
"Please, tell me anyway." I plead.
"She was going towards the chapel."
"Thank you!" I took her hands in mine in a gesture of gratitude.
That was on the other side of the convent, but I didn't care. I just changed my direction and dashed towards the chapel. Why would she visit the chapel? And at this hour? While it's still not dark, with summer hours coming into effect, it's still late. And Claudia knows how important it is to make curfew.
When I reach the chapel, I don't see anyone around. There are no noises either. Hoping the door isn't locked, I push it open. It gives way immediately. The chapel at Sacre Coeur is like a mini gothic church. It's big enough to accommodate all the people within the convent, but by other standards, it's not that large. Inside, there are two rows on each aisle leading towards the altar, and on the right side is the confessional. On each side of the chapel, stained glass depicting Biblical events graces the walls. As I step inside the chapel, I pass the central nave, going straight for the altar. Surely she wouldn't be here...
The church is shrouded in darkness, but there are a few candles still lit at the altar. I'm hal
fway through the nave when I make out two figures close to the altar. One is an adult, while the other is a child. The more I advance, the more I can distinguish the features... and the actions.
It's Claudia, my sweet Claudia, and Father Guerra. And he... he has his hand up her dress. I gasp as I realize what I'm seeing. Without even thinking I throw myself forward, intent on only getting my little girl from this man's grasp.
They must have noticed my presence, because Father Guerra immediately removes his hand and composes himself. Claudia turns towards me, and I see something in her eyes that makes me snap.
"Claudia, go to the room." I command her. Her shoulders are shaking slightly, I don't know if from what happened or from the tone of my voice. "Now!" I reiterate when she hesitates.
"Mamma..." She whispers, looking at me for a second before running out of the chapel.
"Catalina, this isn't what it looks like." Father Guerra immediately jumps to defend himself. "I was just fixing her dress."
"Fixing her dress? Or underwear?" My feet take me directly in front of him and a sudden urge to do harm overtakes me. He put his hands on my daughter.... my nine-year-old daughter. I want to break down and cry, but I can't allow this man to walk away without penalty.
"Catalina, I'm sure we can reach an understanding." He puts his hands up in a placating gesture.
"What understanding? That you're a goddamn pedophile?" I don't even recognize my voice as I shout at him. "Mother Superior will hear of this. I'll make sure you get what you deserve, you waste of a human being." There's so much venom in my voice, yet it still doesn't do justice to what I felt when I saw him touching Claudia.
Father Guerra laughs. He has the audacity to laugh.
"And who do you think will believe you? You, who fucked who knows who and got pregnant? Not even your family wanted you." My face falls as he continues to talk. "Oh, you think I didn't know? You actually think I wanted to be nice to you? Whores like you shouldn't be allowed in a place of God." He dares to speak of God... My hand shoots out with a mind of its own. It connects with his cheek in a loud snap.
Morally Blasphemous (Morally Questionable Book 2) Page 6
