Page 95 of Tempting God

“Mother and son are doing excellent.”

Brooks pulls out his phone, showing me a photo of Alessandro holding his newborn son, Luca Angelo Moretti. The infant is swaddled in a blue blanket, so all I can see is his headful of dark hair.

“I need to make sure they got the basket we sent.”

Brooks says, “They did. He said Isa was very thankful for the meals you sent, too.”

“That was all Greer. She thought they might need it.” I take a sip of my beer and say, “I’m worried.”

“Ah. The real reason you asked me over.” He sets down his bottle. “What are you worried about?”

“Blanc. He keeps pushing back the meeting for the vote on Rule 84.”

“I’ve noticed. You know, we can call his bluff, right?”

“How so?”

“As the Head Elite Member, he has a right to veto our vote, but since he’s pushed the new meeting twice now, he’s made it where we can counter veto his veto.”

“My god, could they have made it any more confusing?”

Brooks laughs. “Hannah said the same thing when we were looking through the rule book. She was actually the one who pointed out we can invoke Rule 200.”

I’m not surprised that he’s let his wife see the handbook. If Greer didn’t already have one that she swiped from her father’s study after he died, I’m sure she would want to see mine. And I’d let her.

Brooks says, “Hannah’s given me some fantastic ideas.”

“Moretti has said the same thing about Isa.” I smile. “God knows Greer has some ides, too.”

“Back to Rule 200. It’s basically a majority thing within the Elite Members. Since Blanc is refusing to set and keep a meeting that affects the entire Brotherhood, we can invoke Rule 200.” His pause is dramatic. “It also gives members within the Brotherhood the right to ask if Blanc is still fit to lead the Brotherhood.”

My eyes widen. “Fuck.”

“Exactly. Now, Charles is too cocky to ever assume that someone might question his ability to rule over the Brotherhood, which is why I think we need to make sure someone will do just that.”

“Who do you have in mind? Santos?”

Brooks stills, as if choosing his words carefully. This, of course, gets my attention.

“I respect the hell out of Santos, but he’s not the same man he once was. He wasn’t kidding when he said something died in him when Serafina passed away. God knows I understand, but he’s not the right man for the job.”

“Then who is?”

“I was thinking either Montgomery or Irons. Maybe even Wolfe.”

He’s right. All three men have always been allies to our cause.

“Irons has a history of not showing up to meetings because of his work, which is why I think Montgomery or Wolfe might be the better pick.”

“Think they’ll do it?”

“We all know Montgomery wants a spot on the Elite Member council. With Blanc out, that means he’s one step closer to getting said spot. Wolfe likely feels the same way.”

“After two or three more people die.”

Brooks gives me the same smile he uses when he’s on TV. “It’s all in how you spin the story, my friend. We can make him believe anything is possible. It’s my talent, after all.”

“We’ve got to play this smart. Not a hint of this can be leaked. It puts our wives in danger.”

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