“Some whispers have made their way to my ear. Whispers about how I am weak and don’t have the guts to do what needs to be done. Some say I let Fillipo go free and that he’s living a comfortable life elsewhere. Whispers that my darling wife has made me soft, unable to do what needs to be done to protect this family. I’m here to clear these rumors up.”
Bash turns and finds my eyes. I give him a short nod. “Fillipo’s living comfortably with the fish at the bottom of the Hudson. Hell, by now, he may have been swept away with the current. He was not acting alone though. He had help from someone right here in this room.”
Glancing around, I note anyone who looks uncomfortable. Anyone showing any sign of guilt. A list of names form within my head.
“It would be weak of me to let them carry on. For that, let’s celebrate. Let’s celebrate the end to an internal war and the start of a new one.”
Sofia walks up and hands him a bat, her own comfortably within her hand.
“This isla costa nostra. Family comes first. You live and you die by the family. You bleed for the family. You protect the family at all costs. As your don, I live by these words with every breath I take. As your queen, she is here to prove to you that she does not make me weak. In fact, she’s my strength. She cares for this family as much as, if not more than, myself.”
Bash and Sofia walk my way. I watch as Karrisa’s back straightens. Kevin stays relaxed. He’s a Rossi. He believes he’s untouchable by Bash.
Bash does not hesitate. As soon as he is within range, he swings the bat, hitting Kevin in the head.
Karrisa screams. Before she can move, Sofia’s bat slams into Karrisa’s spine, causing her to fall to the ground. She continues to swing her bat until Karrisa is unrecognizable.
I glance to Bash. He’s covered in blood and looks slightly insane. He lets his gaze rake over the room. Not one person speaks.
“Let this be a lesson. Anyone loyal to the family will remain family. Anyone who dares go againstla costa nostrawill meet a similar end. Let it be known. The moves I make may be silent at times, but nevertheless, they are always deadly.” He pauses for dramatic effect.
Sofia speaks up next. “Now that business is taken care of, please eat and drink. Have a good time. Rejoice in being a part of the Catalini family.”
Lo
My hand itches to hit something. It caused me physical pain to not be able to take care of the traitors myself. Tonight has proved to me even more that the blood running through your veins holds no weight when it comes to loyalty. Loyalty must be earned.
I guide Sofia and Bash from the main dining area as Matt and Giovanni stay behind to clean up the mess they made. Public killings are not common anymore because they are risky. A public killing by a well-known don’s own hand? Unheard of. This was a huge risk, but one Bash did not take lightly. Now, we will do everything we can to make sure he’s still here when the dust settles.
“Baby, let’s go clean up before your meeting.” Sofia has a pleading tone in her voice that I’ve rarely heard.
I glance to Bash and see the cold, calculated killer I grew up with. Taking a life is never something you want to do. As much as we get a bad rap for being murderers, the act of killing someone takes a part of you that you can never get back. I should know. My hit count is high. So high that I almost lost myself to the darkness. Until Mia.
My beautiful angel sitting at home with our wonderful miracle—of course, surrounded by ten of my most trusted men. I can’t help but selfishly wish she were here with me tonight. She is where we need her to be though. I’m lucky that she had a logical reason to miss being here tonight.
Sofia was a requirement. Isabella could have stayed home, but her loyalty to Sofia, Matt, and Giovanni prevented her from staying away. I asked her to stay with Mia and Elena, but she was adamant about being here. She felt they would need her more.
Bringing myself back to the present, I give Bash my full attention. “Sofia’s right. You should clean up before going in there. The commission are all gathered at the end of the hall. They’re getting antsy.”
“No, I’m going in there just like this. I made a statement tonight. A statement that went against them. This will go one of two ways. Either they disagree with my move and we prepare for war, or they provide permission after the fact. Either way, I’m done being their docile, diplomatic don. I never wanted to be like my father, but I can see why he turned out the way he did. While I still want to remain fair, I also need to show them that I am not weak. My actions tonight should prove that.”
I step back as Sofia steps into his arms and kisses him hard. I turn my head, allowing them a private moment as much as my duty allows.
“Lo, I need you to stay by Sofia’s side. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“Bash,”she breathes out.
“I cannot let you go in there alone, Don. Someone needs to have your back.” I step forward, willing to follow him by force if needed.
“This is having my back. I’m going to go in there and shake our whole world up. I need to know that Sofia and the family are protected. Giovanni’s set to take over if anything happens to me. You will be his underboss as you are mine. I need you to make sure Sofia gets out of here safely if something goes down. That’s an order.”
As much as I want to fight, I take a step back and nod.
“Stay with him,tesoro. Iwillbe back. I won’t let them take you from me.”
Sofia’s silently crying as she kisses him three times before he hands her off to me. I hold her in my arms as we both watch Bash walk toward his fate.
Bash
