Don Massimo was waiting at the private airfield for Luca. He stood beside an already waiting ambulance, dressed in a dark overcoat despite the early morning chill.
The ambulance was well-equipped, discreet, and staffed by people who did not ask questions unless the answer would save a life. Its lights were off.
The jet taxied to a stop. Luca stepped out first. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair disordered, and there was a dark, dangerous exhaustion around his eyes that made even Massimo’s n stand straighter.
Behind him, the dical team moved. Marco was brought out, surrounded by doctors and equipnt, his large body strapped securely as monitors were carried alongside him.
Don Massimo approached, eyes briefly moving from Marco to Luca. Marco and the dical team were moved from the jet into the ambulance.
Massimo watched his son carefully as Luca approached. He knew that look, that gait, that gaze. The way Luca’s shoulders had gone still, the way his jaw locked, the way the blue of his eyes had gone icy enough to freeze hell over. His son was going on a murdering spree. Massimo had worn that look once. Many tis, in fact. He knew its weight. Knew the discipline it took to walk like a man when every thought in your head had teeth.
"Father..." Luca said. He reached for Massimo’s hand, bent his head, and kissed the ring.
"Didn’t think you’d pull it off," Massimo said.
Luca straightened, a smile touching his mouth. "When will you learn not to underestimate ?"
Massimo’s brows lifted. "Starting now." He looked past him toward the ambulance, where Marco was being loaded in.
"How is he?" he asked.
"He’ll be fine."
Massimo glanced at Luca.
"Just a hamr to the side of his skull. Damage has been fixed."
The dical team climbed into the ambulance. One of the doctors looked toward Luca who gave the signal for them to leave.
"So..." Massimo said. "If he is betraying you, why are you still saving him?"
"Because he is not," Luca said.
"Luca..."
"Father, Marco would never," Luca argued.
Massimo knew that kind of loyalty. He also knew how often it made fools of powerful n. "You said the sa thing with the deal with Bastardi...and then I later find out, he did betray you."
"He didn’t. He was carrying out my orders."
"So," Massimo said, "he’s being set up then?"
"Yes."
"By whom?"
"If I knew, they’d already be dead. I need you to look after him," Luca said. "I have to head back to New York, protect our family."
"I called your mother," Massimo said. "She’s on her way."
Luca closed his eyes. "Shit."
Massimo’s mouth twitched.
"Another reason for her to bla ," Luca muttered.
"Your mother will always bla soone. She blas you and then she blas . It’s her thing."
Luca sighed, rubbing at the bridge of his nose.
"You need any help?"
Luca looked toward the runway, then back at him. "Yes."
"Go on," Massimo urged.
"When I’m not there," Luca said quietly, "you take care of my girl."
"You do not have orders to die, Luca," Massimo said. "I do not rember giving it."
"I’m not dying. But I have to do what I can to keep my family safe."
"You made a deal?"
Luca said nothing.
Massimo’s eyebrows rose. "For Marco?"
"He’d do the sa for ."
"And so would every single mber of the famiglia," Massimo snapped. "Are you insane?"
"He’s my brother."
Massimo cursed under his breath in Italian.
"Besides," Luca said, "everything is linked together. Soone is coming after my family, not just Marco. Veronica," Luca continued, voice roughening. "Valentina. Who knows when Matteo will be next? This isn’t so street-level bullshit. Soone is moving pieces around my house, around my people, and I will burn every piece off the board."
"You have too many weaknesses, Luca!" Massimo said sharply. "Don’t put in a position where I have to choose between you and them."
"That’s the difference between you and I," Luca snapped. I do not see family as weaknesses...They are my strength. I am stronger with them."
Massimo’s jaw tightened. "You think that because you are young."
"I think that because I have lived without them. I know exactly what I was. I was efficient. I was feared. I was empty. I would do anything to keep them safe," Luca continued, "even give my own life."
Massimo’s eyes flashed. "Think about this... Luca, there is too much at stake. You do not have an heir—"
"I will decide what my child will be." Luca’s eyes were now a pure, rciless blue. "I," Luca said, stabbing a finger against his own chest, "not you. Start looking for a replacent for ...because there is every chance I may not co back from whatever it is I am going in to."
Massimo’s face hardened. "I am still your father."
"Then for the first ti in your fucking life, act like one," Luca said, voice rising, "and stop thinking like a damned Don every damned ti. I have been patient for too long...I have pardoned people who did not deserve breath. Gather your n and make sure you are ready for a war because every single person who have co after my family will not be breathing by the end of the week." Luca said, turned and walked back to the jet.
Massimo stood there for a while, watching as the jet went wheels up. The sky swallowed it slowly, silver belly rising above the private runway until all that remained was the fading roar of engines and a thin line of worry across his face. His hopes were on Luca.
They had always been on Luca. Luciano was the son who carried fire. The son who could build an empire on top of an empire. The son Massimo had shaped too well, sharpened too much.
He could not allow Luca to throw his life away.
(Brought to you by Missy Dionne 2/2)
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