tmp_2e400c932cd646dccd3ec2acdba43a25_mQf9rc.fixed.tidied

by BSmith

  Olivia yanked up the letter, unfolding it to read it. “Oh, my God,” she whispered. She handed the letter to Amadeo. “It’s true?”

  “All of it. There are classified SVT Security files that you can access that will prove it,” Dominic said.

  “How do you have access? And is my father involved?” Amadeo asked after he had finished reading the letter.

  Dominic passed them another, much smaller slip of paper. “Go look for yourself. And not to my knowledge, Amadeo.”

  “This is bullshit. How the fuck can they justify keeping something like this so secret?” Olivia scooted back her chair, rising to her feet.

  “Where are you going?” Amadeo watched his cousin.

  “To find out what the hell is going on in this family,” Olivia said.

  Amadeo scratched his jaw, and then pushed back his chair. “You’re going to hack into the SVT Security database. I’m coming with you.”

  “I’ll be in touch,” Dominic said quietly, watching them hastily depart. When they were gone, a slow smile spread across his thin mouth. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, dialing a familiar number.

  “Yes?”

  “I’ve set them in motion. It won’t be long now.”

  “They bought the letter?”

  “Slightly altered to suit your goals, and yes, every word.” Dominic plucked up Olivia’s coffee cup, finishing it.

  “Good. When they’re ready, send them to me.”

  “Of course, Kayla.” He pulled the phone away from his ear, ending the call.

  §

  May 22, 2000 - 8:11 AM

  Alcyone Island

  SVT Security Headquarters

  Completely ignoring the secretary, Olivia stormed into her father’s office, and slammed the door behind her, unconcerned that he was on the phone. “Why didn’t you tell me about the Brotherhood?”

  Matteo quirked a stern, curious brow at his daughter’s abrupt entrance. His eyes narrowed at the words that flew out of her mouth. “Jules, let me call you back, my Olive is here. Thanks.” He hung up the phone, leveling his gaze on his daughter. “What are you talking about?”

  “I found the letter.” She stalked across the office, coming to stand directly in front of his desk. “I used your password to access the SVT Securities files on them. What the hell are we doing, Dad?”

  Anger clouded his dark gray eyes. “How did you get my password?”

  “You’re not answering my question. This is bullshit. If the Brotherhood are the puppet masters controlling the world, we should be working with them, not against them.”

  “Olivia, calm down. I don’t know what you think you read in that letter, or those classified files that are way above your security clearance, but there are forces at play here you know nothing about.”

  Her chin setting stubbornly, she sat down in the chair in front of his desk. “Enlighten me.”

  Matteo frowned and took off his glasses. “I’m not bringing you into this. This is need-to-know information and you are not at this time, meant to know. If Marcello chooses to widen the circle, then you’ll be informed. But until then, you will forget you ever saw those files.”

  “It’s the wrong play, Dad. He’s going to end up burning our empire to the ground.”

  “That is not your decision to make. And the elders of this family don’t agree with you.” Matteo’s voice hardened. “You will do it, Olivia.”

  “No, I won’t,” Olivia snapped. “I’m not some mindless robot. This is my family, too. We should have a say—”

  “Enough!” Matteo shot up out of his chair, pointing his finger down at her. “You are my daughter. Your loyalties lie with me and to whatever end game this family chooses to take. You will not disrespect me and shoot your stubborn fucking mouth off. Am I clear?”

  Olivia clenched her fingers together to keep from pulling out the short strands of her bleached white hair. She remained silent, because she didn’t trust her voice.

  “I’m not kidding, Olivia. Don’t test me on this. You will forget you ever saw those files and go about your fucking business. Cross me, and you can forget a future in SVT Securities. The highest rank you’ll get will be Director of Housekeeping for the hotel chain.”

  Olivia surged to her feet, glaring at her father. “I’m not a child. You will not treat me this way.”

  “No, what you are is a spoiled brat with selfish ambition.” Their gazes collided. “The moves this family makes now will impact the future of the world. It’s bigger than us, and Marcello is making the right choices. Accept it, or lie to yourself, I don’t care. But keep your fucking mouth shut. Capisce?”

  Olivia held her fists at her sides, but the furious set to her father’s face prevented her from arguing further. The stupid, stubborn old man wouldn’t budge. “Fine.”

  Matteo’s eyes narrowed. “You know what, Olivia, I’m your father and you’re going to afford me some of the respect I deserve that I rarely ask for. Say yes sir, and then get out of my office.”

  It took a moment, but Olivia tempered down her own anger enough that she could respond. “Yes, father.” Without another word, she turned around and walked out.

  §

  May 22, 2000 - 10:44 PM

  Alcyone Island

  Former Shipping Warehouse

  “I’m not just going to take this. This is bullshit.” Olivia paced, agitated.

  “I agree with you, Olivia, but I’m not sure what we can do about it.” Amadeo stood with his back pressed against the wall of the old warehouse, his arms folded over his uniformed chest.

  One of the heavy doors slide open, and Dominic stepped inside, pulling the door closed behind him. “Did you talk to Matteo?” he asked Olivia.

  “Yes, and it was pointless. He’s a fucking slave to Marcello’s whims.” Olivia released a frustrated noise that echoed through the stale air. “He told me to forget about it and keep my mouth shut, or I’ll get demoted.”

  “That’s unfortunate.” Dominic pressed his fingers against his chin. “You know, you would both be in positions very valuable to the Brotherhood if you were to take your fathers’ places.”

  Amadeo snorted. “As much as we would love that, Dominic, our fathers aren’t going to hand over the reins anytime soon.”

  “They’re both fucking useless.” Olivia waved a hand. “Dominic is right. We’ve got to find a way to muscle them out.”

  “Or make them disappear.” Dominic offered, almost nonchalantly.

  Olivia stopped pacing, turning to stare at Dominic. “Are you saying that we should kill our fathers?”

  Dominic shrugged. “I didn’t say anything. But a move like that would certainly put you on the Brotherhood’s radar. And I have a few contacts inside that I’d feel comfortable approaching, should it happen.”

  Amadeo frowned. “How the hell could we possibly get away with that?”

  Olivia was silent, because she was thinking. “Car bomb. They go to brunch together every Sunday. We could do it then. They’d never check for it, not on their own island.”

  Dominic said nothing, simply stood there a silent observer.

  Amadeo raised a brow at Olivia. “You’re serious.”

  Olivia hesitated, her brows pinching together. The arrogant echo of her father’s voice, threatening her future, demanding her obedience, rang in her ears, suffocating any emotion she might have felt. She nodded sharply. “You’re fucking right, I am. We’ve got to do something, Amadeo, before it’s too late.”

  Amadeo was quiet for a short time, studying her. Then, he looked at Dominic. “You can guarantee we’ll be on the inside, if we pull this off?”

  Dominic slowly smiled. “With 99% certainty.”

  §

  June 1, 2000 - 10:01 AM

  Alcyone Island

  Empire Cruise Line Headquarters

  “Shut the door, Olivia.” Kayla sat behind her desk, watching the young woman walk forward. “Sit down.” Kayla tipped her head towards the seat in front of her desk.


  Olivia was uncertain why Kayla, Marcello’s daughter, and the likely heir to the empire once Marcello passed on, had called for this meeting. Her ambition left her with several likelihoods she would love to see come to pass, but Olivia had no reason to think they would. Kayla was like her father; usually alone in their big tall towers, leading the family to its demise.

  Kayla regarded Olivia in studious silence for what felt like hours, but was probably only a minute or two. When she could stand it no longer, Olivia broke the silence. “What can I do for you, Kayla?”

  “You live up to the family arrogance, thinking you can do something for me.” Kayla’s tone was laced with faint amusement.

  Olivia arched a perfectly plucked brow. “Well then, what do you want?”

  Kayla’s eyes were a pale gray that was almost blue. They were similar to the color of Christopher’s eyes, except there was nothing kind in Kayla’s. Christopher had very expressive eyes. Kayla’s eyes, like her father’s, were a thick steel slate. “I want to know how it felt to murder your own father.”

  Olivia’s heart sped up in her chest. Her breath might have held for a second, but her face did not break expression, save for the raise of her brow a little higher, with false incredulity. “Excuse me?”

  Kayla smiled, pressing her chin into her palm, and set her elbow on the desktop. “Dominic tells me you want in, but membership into the Brotherhood is a little more… complicated than that. From now on, you and Amadeo will report to me.”

  Olivia went very still and kept her expression carefully masked. Somehow, Marcello and Kayla had found out about their plans; or they suspected, but weren’t sure, and this was to lure her into a trap. She took the safe road. “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about, Kayla.”

  “Olivia, do you really believe that the reason I suddenly popped into Marcello’s life was because there was a hospital mix up the day of my birth?”

  No, Olivia thought, she didn’t. But she was still wary of coming clean to Kayla. She would be stupid to underestimate Marcello’s reach, even if she thought his leadership skills were lacking. “Kayla, I don’t know anything about the Brotherhood—”

  “Do you really think that the Brotherhood would have allowed Terenzio to be left unchecked all this time? If you want in, Olivia, it’s through me.”

  Olivia studied her in brief silence. “How do I know I can trust you?

  “You don’t. But if my loyalties truly did lie with Marcello and I knew that you had killed your father, we wouldn’t be having this conversation in my office, would we?”

  Olivia paused again, considering her options. “Assume, for a moment, I do want into the Brotherhood. What’s the next step?”

  “I’ll be in touch,” Kayla said impassively. “Moving forward, neither you nor your cousin will make a move without my permission. Chain of command is followed to the letter in the Brotherhood, and it is not a democracy. Am I making myself clear?”

  “Crystal.” Excitement began to form in the pit of her stomach.

  “Good.” Kayla smiled; a gesture that very rarely touched her eyes, except for those few occasions that Marcello made her genuinely smile. “Thank you for coming by.”

  Tipping her head in the elder woman’s direction, Olivia rose to her feet, briskly walking out of the office. She kept her head lowered and her steps quickened down the carpeted hallways, and to the elevator. Once the doors safely enclosed her, she turned her back on the security camera, pulled out her cell phone and sent Amadeo a text message.

  We’re in.

  §

  September 29, 2001 - 2:22 PM

  Alcyone Island

  Dion Corporation Headquarters

  Marcello glanced over at the phone as its shrill ring pulled him out of his thoughts. He wasn’t plotting. He was remembering his wife. He pulled off his glasses, rubbed an aged hand over his bearded face, and then snatched up the receiver. “Yes?”

  “Sir, Nicholas is here to see you.”

  Marcello’s brows arched. “Send him up.” He put the phone back in its cradle and tossed his glasses carelessly onto the spotless surface of his desk. Moments later, Nicholas came in.

  Marcello rose from behind his desk, coming around to embrace his cousin, who looked awful. Nicholas’ hair was mussed, as if he’d run his fingers through it too many times, and his eyes were bloodshot. He looked like a man who had just lost his family, Marcello noted with sympathy, though, he would never have expected Nicholas to come to him after such a tragedy. He cupped a hand around the back of Nicholas neck, studying his face. “How are you holding up?”

  Nicholas gripped Marcello’s shoulders, meeting the elder Terenzio’s eyes. “I’m a member of the Brotherhood. I have been for eleven years.”

  Marcello blinked. That was completely new news to him. Nevertheless, he didn’t release his cousin. “Why are you telling me this, Nicholas?”

  “Because I want them to suffer for what they took from me.” Nicholas’s eyes shone wetly. “They didn’t even warn me, Marcello.”

  Marcello sighed heavily as Nicholas began openly crying. They were angry, pain-filled tears. Marcello pulled his cousin into his embrace again. “It’s all right Nicholas. It’s all right. We’ll get them.”

  §

  November 11, 2006 - 11:11 PM

  New Orleans, LA

  Loyalty Airlines Airport

  Matthew DeMarco slid into the back seat of the waiting Sedan. “Sorry it took so long. Everything all right?”

  “The ’70s were difficult. The last thirty years have been interesting. I expect things will be a lot more exciting for my grandchildren.” Marcello stopped gazing out the window and looked over at Matthew. “The items my father had delivered to yours; it’s time to take them back.”

  Matthew nodded. “There was only one working model. The rest were files.”

  “Whose?”

  “Tesla, Marconi, and Fulcanelli.”

  “The first two I’ve heard of. Who was Fulcanelli?”

  “Some call him the Master Alchemist. If you wanted to learn it, really learn it, he probably wrote the most authoritative book that’s allowed to circulate the masses.”

  “Interesting.” Marcello clucked his tongue then looked back out the window. “No rush. I just wanted to put it in motion.”

  “Of course.” Matthew studied his friend. “How are you holding up these days? We haven’t spoken much.”

  “I’ve spent the last ten years trying to understand this ascension process, really understand it. And I can see the allure of the connection.” A quiet sadness filled Marcello’s eyes. “I miss my Mari very much. To know that she’s out there, in some form, and I’m not good enough to communicate with her is frustrating.”

  “It’s not a matter of good, Marc,” Matthew interjected gently.

  “I know. Blocked, then. I think it makes me miss her more. And not just her. Amanda. Joey. Everyone else.”

  “Understanding the truth about death doesn’t make it any less painful. I think it’s only meant to shorten the time we grieve, give us some reassurance that our loves aren’t lost, simply not here.”

  “Mm.” Marcello lapsed into a brief, thoughtful, silence. “Regardless, I’ve been on Earth too long without her.” He looked over at Matthew and extended his hand. “My job here is almost done. Thank you for always being a good friend, Matthew.”

  As Matthew took Marcello’s hand, an odd expression crossed his face. “Marcello, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Marcello slowly shook his head. “Don’t Matthew. I know.”

  Matthew quirked a brow. “You know what?”

  “I know you killed Mari.” Marcello slowly frowned. “They made you prove it, didn’t they? Your loyalty. And what better way to assure them that you have no ties to the Terenzio family than to kill the Don’s wife, so to speak.”

  Matthew swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry, Marcello. I tried to find a way around it—”

  Marcello held up his h
and. “And the bottom line was there wasn’t one. It’s a heavy burden to carry, isn’t it? Living with the evil that we’ll do for the sake of the future.”

  Matthew slowly nodded. “Yes, it is.” He clasped Marc on the shoulder, squeezing gently. “You’re a good man, Marcello. Take care.”