Page 17 of Monster in Disguise

Iamsorry... and yet I couldn't do anything to help her.

Weak.

I'm too weak.

Marcello

PRESENT DAY

The elderly man in front of me takes a long drag from his cheroot, the smoke swirling around his head like a gray halo. I raise an eyebrow at him, intrigued by his boldness.

"You're not what I expected," he finally speaks, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

"And what exactly did you expect?" I ask, curious to hear his answer.

"A coward," he states matter-of-factly, a sly smile creeping onto his face, revealing yellowed teeth.

I can't help but feel a twinge of amusement at his response. "What makes you think I'm not one?"

"You're here," he gestures towards me with his cigar, "unarmed and without an army of bodyguards." He continues to grin at me.

"Should I have brought some?" I play along, taking on a more serious tone.

"Perhaps," he chuckles, taking another leisurely draw from his cheroot. He then motions for me to take a seat in front of him.

"Call me Francesco," he introduces himself with a polite nod. I oblige and take the chair across from him, wondering what kind of game this old man is playing.

Francesco had been my brother's underboss and trusted right hand. And he was among the only ones to join the ranks after father's death. I'd read the report. Valentino had helped Francesco and his family, bringing them from Italy to the States and promising a better future for his children.

Francesco had sworn fealty to my brother and had quickly climbed the ranks to become a most trusted asset. After a week at the Lastra house, I'd realized that things were more dire than I'd expected. The finances were a mess, and over the years someone had been siphoning money from almost all accounts. Valentino, in his quest for revenge, hadn't seemed to care that much to keep up with the business.

His sole focus had been Jimenez.

I'd immediately guessed that the problem lies with father's men. Aside from Francesco and the young soldiers, all the important men in the famiglia were among father's inner circle. Which is also why I'd come to meet Francesco. If I want to make a change within the famiglia, it has to start from the inside.

Francesco's sharp gaze meets mine as I slide the stack of papers across the table. The evidence of irregular activity is neatly compiled, every detail meticulously researched and documented.

"I think you know why I'm here," I say, my voice firm and steady. Francesco takes his time perusing the sheets, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"So?" he finally says after placing the papers back on the table.

"I thought you might have some insight," I reply calmly.

He scowls at me, clearly irritated by my assumption.

"And why did you think that?" he challenges.

"Because I've been told that you don't play well with others," I respond, not backing down. Francesco regards me silently for a moment before speaking again.

"And who told you that?" His tone is accusatory.

"I can't reveal my sources," I shrug, knowing that much of the information came from Vlad, a questionable ally. His relationship with Valentino had been closer than anyone realized, but Vlad's motives were never clear. He likes to manipulate and toy with people, giving them bits and pieces of information but never the whole truth.

But I'll take what I can get. My goal is simple: gain power within the famiglia, solve the ongoing shipment crisis, and eliminate any traitors or corrupt members. It sounds straightforward, but dealing with old-school mafia men is anything but easy.

These are hardened gangsters who have weathered decades of violence and betrayal from both enemies and law enforcement. I know that approaching this situation recklessly will only lead to disaster. That's why my first step is finding allies I can trust.

"Things are going to change," I state firmly. Francesco's lips curl into a snort of disbelief.

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