Page 40 of They Found Us
Once Mia leaves, Emmaline and Alfie do, too, much to the protest of Mark. He has had the best day playing in the pool. He even missed his nap, so I’m hoping to get him to bed early, and he should sleep through.
Alga helps me bath the boys and get them ready for bed. There are a lot of Guerra men in the house coming and going for the meetings, so we spend the evening upstairs. We all have supper sitting on the floor like a picnic and watch cartoons. The boys are shattered after a busy day and are soon asleep after Leo popped his head in and wished them good night.
I, too, have my pj’s on, and I’m looking forward to a peaceful night once the men leave for business. Hopefully tomorrow everything will be sorted, and we can start putting our life back together. But I should know better. When you are part of the Guerra, things don’t always go as planned.
Leo.
“Enough!” I’ve had all I can take of Marco and Alex arguing.
Alex wants to take over the Martelé. He wants to control them. Marco wants nothing to do with them. He wants to irradicate them, not become part of them.
I have to agree with Marco. “We do not want the Guerra name to be associated with any of the types of dealings they involve themselves in. Guerra protect women and children, not traffic them.
“That is a minor detail and one that will be resolved once we take over. You need to look at the bigger picture,” Vanna chirps in.
She surprises me with her lack of empathy. Maybe she is more Martelé than I first thought.
She continues, “That organisation is mine. I have it here in black and white.” She puts the documents she’s been holding down on the desk.
“And why would they just hand everything over?” Marco asks.
“Because upon my father’s death, which you kindly carried out, Marco, all the estates, companies, and properties were left to me, the oldest child. They were only passed down to my brother because of my death. Which never happened. There is no death certificate, so everything is mine.”
“The Martelé soldiers won’t answer to you. You are a woman, for one.”
Marco’s statement earns a fist to the desk from my brother. “Do not disrespect my wife.”
“They will have to, or they will answer to no one. Without the businesses, the property, the deals, the money, the Martelé have nothing.”
She has a good point.
Marco still does not agree. “The Guerra cannot be seen to be involved with such disgusting acts. It is a disgrace to the name that has been built over generations. We will have dropped deals. Contacts will turn their backs.”
“The Guerra will stay as they are. Vanna and I will take over the Martelé, and you and Leo will lead here. Nothing changes other than your death warrant.”
Alex’s revelation concerns me. He doesn’t know what he is letting himself in for. But their decision has been made, and for now, I cannot argue. We will have to deal with the consequences when they happen. It’s time we get to the meeting. Marco hasn’t said another word. I’m sure he is thinking the same as I am.
“If that’s what you want, so be it. Who is it we are meeting, Vanna?” I ask.
“My mother and her brother. They have taken over leadership until one of my cousins on my father’s side is eighteen, or so they think.”
“Wow, that will be an interesting family reunion. They still have no idea you are alive?” I ask, looking forward to seeing how this unfolds.
“Not a clue.”
“Right. Get the cars ready, Van. I need one guard to stay here with my family. The rest will come with us. They will wait outside, do pat-downs, and collect all firearms and weapons before anyone enters. They need to be ruthless. Anyone whodisobeys, they kill them on the spot. We need to show them we mean business. Who do you trust the most, Van?” I ask, as Van has done most of the recruiting.
“Oh, Vine, definitely,” he answers instantly.
Once I’ve said goodbye to my wife and children, I find the guards waiting in the hallway.
“Vine?” I call out, and one steps forward. He’s an ugly beast of a man who doesn’t smell the best.
“Boss.”
“You will stay here and look after my family. The rest will follow in the cars behind us. Van will give your instructions on the way.”
I’m apprehensive about leaving my world behind again. But they will be safe in the house with a guard that Van trusts. A few hours and I will be back.
