Page 73 of Inherting the Mafia

"It's okay," Vito said, but I was not reassured.

Vito took several steps forward and then crossed his arms over his chest. "Stand down."

Most of the men put their guns away, but a few didn't.

Vito's voice grew harder when he snapped, "I said stand down."

The rest of the guns lowered, but I could still feel the tension in the air. It was like a knife's edge, dangerous on every side. My gut started to tighten as I scanned the guards and the area around us. I was once again getting that feeling that something wasn't right.

I squinted as I scanned the crowd of guards again, going slower this time. I was looking for anything that didn't seem normal. It wasn't like I knew what a normal mafia gang looked like, but still, I trusted my gut. I'd be able to find anything that was out of place.

I found nothing until I had looked over almost every man there. But there was one. He stood near the back of the small crowd close to one of the SUVs. He was dressed as the others and from my vantage point, I couldn't see a weapon in his hands, but there was something definitely off about him.

It was his eyes. While they seemed to be somewhat hooded from the way he had his head bowed down, I could see them darting around in an almost frantic manner. That didn't seem right to me.

Was he waiting for something?

Someone?

"What is he doing?"

I glanced to my side to find Carmine standing next to me. He was staring at Vito as if he had never seen him before.

"He's telling them to stand down," I explained.

When I glanced back toward the crowd, the man I had been watching was no longer standing where he had been. That put me immediately on alert. I quickly searched for him, taking a step forward.

He had to be here somewhere.

My search became almost frantic. The moment I spotted him inching his way through the crowd, I knew he was up to no good.

"Vito, airport!" I shouted as I started running, praying I'd get there in time. The loud retort of a gun echoed through the air, telling me I was too late.

"Tony!" Vito shouted when I started running forward toward the guards. I jumped up onto the hood of one of the SUVs, slid across it, and then leapt onto the man that had fired the gun, taking him down to the ground.

"You I don't like," I snapped as I repeatedly punched the guy. "You're fired."

When the guy collapsed on the ground, I let him go and stood. I turned to look to make sure Vito was okay. He stood several feet away, his arms crossed as he talked with his uncle.

No bullet hole in sight.

I glanced at the guards standing around me. Most of them were avoiding my gaze, some outright looking away, but a couple were staring at me with looks I couldn't quite decipher.

"My name is Anthony D'Angelo. I am the son of Anthony D'Angelo senior. I am the new head of the D'Angelo family. If you don't believe me, ask my underboss."

Every head turned towards Vito, who nodded. "He's telling the truth. He's your new boss. Whatever he says goes."

"We have no conflict with the Sabatino family or the Borelli family," I stated firmly. "The first person I learn goes against them without my direct order will suffer a fate they do not want. Is that clearly understood? If you do not hear the words from my lips, it doesn't happen."

"Um, Mr. D'Angelo, sir—"

"Call me Boss or Tony," I retorted quickly. "Do not call me sir."

"Yes, sir...I mean, yes, Boss."

I crossed my arms and looked at the guy who had spoken. "What's your question?"

The man looked all sorts of confused, a frown marring his face. "I thought we were here to rescue Mr. Vito and eliminate the Sabatino family."

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