Nixon placed his hand over Chase’s. “Con la morte a trovare la tu libertà, ma è la vita dove si è veramente liberi.”
I closed my eyes as the truth of his statement poured over me. “In death you find your freedom, but it is life where you are truly free.” My shaking hand went over Nixon’s. I didn’t expect Tex to join us, after all, he had to stay numb to the emotions if he was going to follow through.
I was shocked when his hand pushed across mine, he whispered gruffly, “Se il mio sangue, non sia vana.” He repeated it in English. “If my blood spills, let it not be in vain.”
“Amen.” Nixon whispered.
“Amen.” We joined removing our hands.
The back door slammed, jolting us out of our moment, possibly the last moment the four of us would have together alive.
“We should go.” Sergio called from the back porch. “Now.”
Tex walked away first, then Chase, and finally Nixon.
I watched as my three best friends held their heads high, no fear visible on their faces, and I had to wonder. Was I leading them to their deaths? Or had I done enough to save them? By telling Tex, had I saved more lives, or just added to the body count?
I made a quick cross with my hands and kissed my knuckles. “May God be with us.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
A corrupt heart elicits all that is bad within us…
Mo
I WAITED FOR THE GUYS to leave before taking off after them. Tex had already given me instructions on where to go. I was about to start the car when I heard a knocking on the window.
Trace stood, arms crossed, glaring.
I hit the down button. “What’s up?”
“You’re going to The Commission aren’t you?”
“No.”
“Yes you are.”
“No I’m not.”
“You’re a crap liar.” Trace opened the door and pulled out her gun, making sure the chamber was loaded.
I groaned.
“Don’t worry, I’ll wait in the car but I’m not letting my best friend go there without backup.”
“And what?” I laughed. “You don’t even know what’s going on, Trace. It’s best that way.”
“Mil’s there.” Trace swallowed. “You’re going and Nixon may die. I’m going to be there, in the car, but I’ll be there. If I hear gunshots I won’t run in the line of fire, Nixon’s already threatened me, but if I’m the only one not injured I can at least drive everyone straight to Stephens’s hospital and make sure nobody dies.”
I closed my eyes and nodded. “Fine.”
“You’re going to help him aren’t you?” She stuffed the gun back in her purse and cocked her head towards me. “Tex, I mean.”
I shifted uncomfortably and turned on the car. “Maybe… if I can.”
“You’re going to just waltz right in there?”
“I’m Nixon’s twin.” I grinned. “I have just as much right to be there as he does. After all, I’m a Mafia princess, the guys will be pissed but it’s not like they won’t have bigger issues, plus I have a great excuse.”
“What? Insanity?” Trace rolled her eyes.
“No, of course not.” I slipped Nixon’s phone out of my pocket. “He has my phone instead of his, damn iPhones, can’t tell which is which.”
“Scary brilliant.” She nodded approvingly, her lips pressed together. “Try not to die, okay?”
“Say a prayer that I don’t.”
“Been saying a lot of those recently.”
“I believe it.” I pulled out of the driveway and made my way down to the warehouse. The thing about The Commission… there were going to be too many people in one place to actually meet at a hotel besides the whole possible gunfire thing was kind of an issue. So we were meeting at one the Abandonato family dealerships. The warehouse behind the dealership was normally used for packing and merchandising but it worked and it was extremely clean, plus it helped that when it was built the windows were double enforced along with the fact that there were video cameras everywhere.
We controlled the environment, but we sure as hell didn’t control the outcome. My hands were sweating by the time we made it to the property. It was only twenty minutes from the house, but I felt each one of those minutes as the time slowly ticked by.
“So—” “Trace clasped her hands together. “—here we are.”
“Yeah.” I licked my dry lips. “Here we are.”
The parking lot was littered with Mercedes’ and black SUVs were parked outside.
“I’ll get in the driver’s seat so we have a fast getaway.”
“Right.” I snorted. “Like in the movies.”
Trace smiled sadly. “Yeah.”
“Love you.” I hugged her quickly and hopped out of the car as she whispered, “Love you.”
My boots clicked against the pavement as I made my way towards the door. With a deep breath I pushed against the metal handle and let myself inside. No going back now.
It sounded like a hive of bees as the talking buzzed around me. I walked further into the room. Long rectangular tables were lined in a large U. Coffee and tea sat in pots on each table. Black cloths were blanketed over everything. If I wasn’t in a warehouse I’d think we were in a restaurant.
I cleared my throat. The talking ceased as all eyes fell to me.
I offered a simple shrug and walked up to Nixon holding out his phone. “Figured you may need this.”
He frowned taking the phone from my hands. “I wouldn’t have answered my phone anyway, Mo, you know that.”
“Yeah, but I’m your sister.” I smacked him upside the head for effect. “I worry.”
A few of the men chuckled while others whispered, “Women.”
Nixon didn’t miss a beat he took in my dark clothing and glanced down at my tall boots, a flicker of silver must have caught his eye as he froze and then met my gaze. “What game are you playing at, sister?”
“My favorite,” I whispered. “Hunters and foxes.”
He nodded once then turned. “Gentleman, I’ll be sure she leaves before the meeting starts.”
They waved him off while I walked over to one of the tables and poured myself some coffee.
A hand shot out to touch mine. “My, my, look how you cleaned up.”
Alfonso’s voice made my blood run cold. I jerked away from his grasp and sneered, “Looks like they invited everyone to this party hmm?”
“Only the important ones were invited, the filth just arrived.” He lit his cigar and leaned back in his chair. I seriously almost punched him across the face, instead I rolled my eyes and grabbed my full cup and moved back towards Nixon. Lifting the cup to my lips, I scanned the room, taking in each solid detail. The Campisi’s were seated at the head of the table; Tex was standing near them, but wasn’t speaking. The Nicolasi clan was to the right of The Campisi Family and the other three, Alferos, De Langes, and my family were to the left. Nixon and Chase were talking in hushed tones while the men all laughed and pretended like the world wasn’t ending.
Any minute now, Tex.
Any minute.
He had to strike before the meeting. But he also had to get them scattered better, at this point he’d have to kill by going down a line of men which meant he’d be shot before he got to man number two.
Crap. I set my coffee on a nearby table and shrugged out of my jacket. I was prepared for the worst. With a yawn I stretched my arms above my head and then popped my neck gaining some of the attention from the men in front. When I reached for my coffee, I clumsily dropped it to the floor. It shattered on contact, with a curse I knelt down low, my top dipped giving every man in front of me an adequate view of my breasts.
Chairs slid back and in an instant I had several associates helping me pick up the pieces of my broken cup.
“Careful.” One of the men helped me back to my feet. “We wouldn’t want to get blood on your clothes.”
“It is hard to get out.” I nodded innocently.
&
nbsp; “Yes, it is.” He said gruffly his eyes scanning me from head to toe. “It really is.” Gross, he was over twice my age and balding. I offered a sweet smile. “Thank you so much, all of you for helping, I’m so sorry, I feel stupid.”
“No, no.” Another man’s hand shot out and gripped my wrist. “It is no problem.” His accent was thick, almost thicker than Alfonso’s. If my count was right, I’d pulled at least three of the Campisi targets away from Tex. It had to be enough. Dear God let it be enough.
Something slammed against one of the tables. I looked up into Tex’s eyes as he leaned over menacingly. “I’d like to call this meeting to order.”
Alfonso sputtered, turned red, then pushed away from his table. “Only the Cappo Di Cappo can call the meeting to order.”
Tex’s lips pulled into a predatory smile. “I just did.”
Alfonso’s eyes narrowed. “It has not yet been decided.”
“So let’s decide now.” Tex strolled around the tables then took center stage, holding his hands in the air. “After all, not only did you try to kidnap me, and murder me and Nixon’s sister, but you put ten million freaking dollars on my head.” He threw his head back and laughed. “The family’s worth five times that, if not more.” He grinned tauntingly. “Which means only one thing… you don’t have access to the funds because my father never named you in the first place. You’re here because I allow it, you breathe, because I allow it, you live because I allow it.”
The bosses stood… Luca, Nixon, Mil, Frank and started pacing.
“You,” Alfonso spat pointing his finger at Tex. “Are cursed, an abomination, you should have never been born!”
“Yet.” Tex sighed and lifted his hands into the air. “Here I am.”
“You’re too young.”
“And you’re too ugly, yet you don’t see me yelling that from the rooftops. I’m it. I’m your maker, your creator, your death dealer, your freaking salvation. Take it or leave it.”
“And if we vote and you lose?” Alfonso shrugged. “Will you back down?”
A muscle clenched in Tex’s jaw. He had to do something, the men were starting to talk amongst themselves. I knew what they would say. Tex was young, he wasn’t a sure thing, he wasn’t sane.
“Your own father thought you cursed!” Alfonso spat. “It is a fact, a fact you know all too well. He sent you away, what type of father does that to his only son? He never even came for you.” Alfonso laughed to himself and held up his hands to the men around him. “You deem to put your trust in a mere child who’s own father didn’t even want him? Let us not forget… Tex killed the boss of all bosses, killed him in cold blood.”
“He had help.” Luca’s teeth clenched.
“Guilty.” Alfonso shrugged. “Anyone who helped him would be guilty. Death is the only solution. You kill the Cappo di Cappo, you will be killed. You helped formulate a plan to kill him? Your death is mine.”
The Campisis all stood nodding their heads.
Tex’s shoulders straightened.
And I knew, he’d made up his mind. He was going to make an example of strength.
“The Abandonatos don’t want me, the Nicolasis fear me, the Campisis don’t know what to do with me, and the De Langes and Alferos want to stay out of it. So what’s a guy to do?”
Alfonso folded his hands in front of him. “He could die, honorably and allow the families to reign in peace.”
Tex winced and shook his head. “See uncle, that’s the problem, why create peace, when war is so much fun. Does peace bring you more money? No. And I think in the end where the money is, The Family will be. You talk of peace, you preach of honor, yet you still run prostitution rings out of Sicily, pulling girls from their families and offering protection at a price. You say I’m too young, but I say you’re too old, too old to realize the ancient ways no longer work. Fear breeds more fear, manipulate too much and you show your weakness. Peace? Hell no, I aim to bring down the fires of Hell on The Five Arms—and I’m going to start with you.”
Part Three: The Cleansing
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Blood cleanses all that is evil within us.
Tex
I NEEDED MO TO move a little to the right, but I had no way to tell her that. I also needed a few of the men to get away from Nixon but I couldn’t tell him that either. Instead, I continued threatening Alfonso, forcing him to react. But he was smooth, so good at twisting words.
Mo was right.
It was time for action.
“You’re a stupid, stupid child.” Alfonso’s eyes blazed while the men fell silent again.
I grinned. “My father said something similar, before I put three bullets in his head.”
A resounding gasp was heard as the men started shouting amongst themselves. I held up my hand for silence.
Alfonso clenched his fists at his sides.
“He called me cursed and in the end, I think he was the one who was cursed, after all, he was already running from me. Already fearful of the truth he saw in my eyes, that I would end him. That I would be the death of him. I think he saw it when I was born. I think he knew it in his bones, that I would come for him.”
I closed my eyes as I allowed the bitterness and resentment to fill me, I was going to use it, I was going to use that darkness for good, even if it killed me. I thought of my father, of being abandoned, of being cursed. When my eyes opened, rage consumed me as I looked around the building. A sea of familiar faces stared right through me. It was as if the past twenty-five years of my life had held no meaning at all.
Had I been nothing to them?
Nothing but a joke?
The reality of my situation hit me full force, I stifled a groan as I fought to suck in long, even breaths of the stale dusty air.
“It is your choice.” The voice said in an even steady tone, piercing the air with its finality.
“Wrong.” I stared at the cement floor; the muted color of grey was stained with spots of blood. “If I really had a choice, I would have chosen to die in the womb. I would have drowned myself when I was three. I would have shot myself when I had the chance. You’ve given me no damn choice, and you know it.”
“You do not fear death?” The voice mocked.
Slowly, I raised my head, locked eyes with Mo, and whispered, “It’s life. Life scares the hell out of me.”
A single tear fell from her chin, and in that moment I knew what I had to do. After all, life was about choices. And I was about to make mine. Without hesitation, I grabbed the gun from the waistband at my back, pointed it at Mo and pulled the trigger.
With a gasp she fell to the ground. A bullet grazed my shoulder as I knelt taking time to reach for the semiautomatic on the concrete. When I stood, I let loose a string of ammo; the sound it hitting cement, brick, bodies, chairs, and anything else in the line of fire filled me with more peace than I’d had in a lifetime of war.
I stalked towards him, the man I was going to kill, the man who had made me feel like my existence meant nothing. I held the gun to his chest and squeezed the trigger one last time. When he collapsed in front of me, it was with a smile on his face, his eyes still open in amusement.
Chaos reigned around me and then suddenly, everything stopped.
When I turned it was to see at least twenty dead, and Nixon staring at me like he didn’t know me at all—but maybe he never had. And wasn’t that a bitch?
He took a step forward his hand in the air. “Tex—”
“No,” I said, smirking. “Not Tex. To you?” I pointed the gun and pulled the trigger. “I’m the Cappo.”
Nixon flinched but didn’t move, as the bullet whizzed by his head hitting the man behind him—the one that had been pointing a gun directly at the back of his head.
I turned slowly, seventeen of my targets were dead, three still living, and three innocents caught in the crossfire.
“What the hell are you doing?” someone yelled.
“Sucking out the poison.” I pulled the trigger,
killing the guy who’d asked the question. Two more to go.
The last two that had been with Alfonso looked at each other, then at me, they both dropped their guns and held up their hands.
“I’m your judge, your jury, your executioner,” I spat. “I own you, all of you,” I shouted, turning around so that each head of the family could see my eyes. Mo got up from the ground and calmly walked to Nixon’s side. I’d barely grazed her shoulder but it probably still burned like hell. “Do you think I wouldn’t hesitate to kill my best friends?” I nodded to Phoenix and then to Nixon. “I’m a Campisi, I am your leader, double cross me, and nothing will save you. Nothing will redeem you in my eyes. I won’t hesitate to kill you where you stand. You’re either with me or against me.”
Nixon was the first to step forward, dropping his gun onto the ground. “We’re with you.”
Chase followed, then Mil, Luca, Frank, the rest of the associates nodded their affirmation.
Tension released from my shoulders. “No more.” My voice was hoarse. “Vito Campisi is dead, his legacy dies with his men, it died with Alfonso, I stand before The Commission demanding a new era. One filled with pride, not secrets or deception. One that brings powers back to the family.” I locked eyes with Phoenix. “Instead of shame.”
The men nodded their agreement.
The two Campisi targets stood in front of me, their heads bowed. I didn’t want to kill anymore, I was already numb with guilt, anger, sadness… I had done what had to be done and I would have to live with it for the rest of my life.
Swallowing I pointed my gun at the first one. “Will you return with me as a witness, or do I end you here? Lie and it will be the last thing to cross your lips.”
“I return.” The man trembled. “With pride, I return with the Cappo di Cappo.”
Nodding, I moved the gun to the other man. He lifted his head and sneered. “Rot in—”
I pulled the trigger, just once, as he fell to the ground.
With a grimace I turned. “Anyone else?”
The room was silent. Luca was pale as he made his way towards me, it didn’t register that he was limping. With a grimace he reached for my face and kissed me on either cheek. “May God bless the new Cappi Di Cappo, may he protect our families until the end.”