Page 41 of Savage Angels

“Very well,” Kiyoko replies, her smile never faltering. She pulls out her cell phone and dials a number, speaking briefly in Japanese before hanging up. “Done,” she announces, her icy gaze still fixed on Tarso.

I cannot help but be impressed by her boldness. She has walked into a lion’s den, unafraid and undeterred. This is the kind of ally we need—someone who will not back down when shit gets real.

I sit back in my chair, watching the exchange between Tarso and Kiyoko. I have no idea what she has done, but the fact she is not showing an ounce of fear or emotion in front of these hardened men is impressive as hell.

“Really?” Tarso asks, his voice betraying a hint of incredulity. “Just like that?”

“Efficiency is one of our strong suits,” Kiyoko replies coolly. Her words are measured and confident. “You’ll see soon enough.”

“Remember this day, gentlemen,” I say, my voice firm. “This is the dawn of a new era. You can either get on board or get the hell out of our way.”

And as I look around the room, I can see that some are ready to embrace the change while others cling to their outdated ways. But it does not matter. The future is coming.

The tension in the room is palpable. The other men at the table are on edge, unsure about how to react to the woman who has waltzed into their world and thrown everything off balance. But beneath the tension, I can sense something else—a grudging respect. Kiyoko has balls, and even the most stubborn of these guys are starting to acknowledge that.

“Let’s not forget why we’re here,” I say, addressing the table. My voice is steady and authoritative. “We’re all in this together. We need to work as one if we’re going to survive in this cutthroat world.”

My words seem to have an effect as the atmosphere in the room shifts ever so slightly. Some of the men nod, while others exchange wary glances. They are beginning to understand that they need to adapt or get left behind.

“Trust me,” I add, my gaze sweeping over the faces of the men who have been my brothers-in-arms for years. “This alliance with the Obayashi will be good for all of us.”

As the meeting progresses, I can feel the tide turning in my favor. It is clear that some of the families still have their reservations, but I know actions speak louder than words. And with Kiyoko by my side, there is no doubt in my mind we will show them all how far we are willing to go to protect our interests.

As we wrap up the meeting, I cannot help but feel a strange mixture of excitement and trepidation. We are entering uncharted territory, forging a new path in a constantly evolving world.

A knock sounds on the door, and the room goes silent. One of Lombardi’s crew members slinks in, looking like a rat caught in a trap. He leans in close to Tarso, whispering something that makes the man’s eyes widen as though he has seen a ghost.

“Excuse the interruption,” Tarso mutters, his face pale.

As the man scurries out, I glance at Kiyoko, who has an amused smile dancing on her lips. “Well?” she asks, her voice dripping with confidence. “Are you satisfied, Tarso?”

Tarso hesitates for a moment before nodding stiffly. “I will accept Salvatore as the new head of the Agostino Crime Family.”

It is not lost on me or anyone else at the table that Tarso Lombardi called us the Agostino Crime Family instead of the Abruzzi Crime Family.

“All right then.” I stand, feeling the weight of their gazes on me. “Listen up because I am not going to say this twice. The Obayashi is the first step in our evolution. Be prepared for more.”

“Are you suggesting we let outsiders run our business?” someone scoffs from the table.

“No. But we will be opening our ranks to new blood, regardless of their affiliations. You will all show respect to the Savage Angels. I will consult some or all of you on various matters, but the final decision will be made by me. If you can’t bend to this new direction, you’re on your own. And trust me, plenty of outsiders are ready to pick you apart and take your place.”

The room goes quiet, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. But I do not flinch. This is my show now, and they need to accept it.

“Good,” I say, holding their gazes until, one by one, they look away. “Now get the hell outta here and start making some changes.”

They file out of the room, leaving me alone with Kiyoko. I can feel the gravity of what has happened, and a part of me cannot help but wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew.

Kiyoko bursts into laughter, and her dark eyes twinkle. “You should have seen their faces, Salvatore! Priceless!”

“All right, all right,” I say, trying to keep my laughter in check. “What did you do, Kiyoko? Really?”

She looks at me like I am a naïve kid, smirking. “I simply eliminated the threat to our family,” she says matter-of-factly.

“Eliminated?” My eyebrows shoot up. “All of them?”

“Of course. It’s how we do things,” she replies, her tone casual, as if it were nothing more than a day’s work. “Salvatore, you made the right decision. The world doesn’t wait for those who cling to the past. Bringing in the Obayashis is smart, and together we are stronger.”

I shake my head, not quite able to wrap my mind around it. It’s clear these Japanese have a different way of doing business. But maybe it is something that can serve us well—for now, anyway.

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