Page 29 of Depths of Hunger

But events changed things. Now I wasn’t going to walk away. If I did, they’d just marry me off to Ignocio Dicerbo or some other gross man, and my life would be over. At least this way I have a say. I could make decisions and make things better for me and my friends. The other option was to run. Run far and run fast. I’ll still keep that idea in reserve. Australia still looked like a viable option and if I lost control of the family, it would betheoption. I wasn’t marrying Dicerbo or anyone else.

“So, you see, I’ve been involved for years.” I met every man’s gaze.

A thump sounds at the door, and Luca opens it a crack, then hesteps back and admits Angelo, who gives me a nod and comes to stand behind me to the left. As much as I loathed the man, he does have his uses.

“But what do you bring to the table now?” Colucci demanded.

“Yeah,” Bobby Sticks added. “I don’t see how you’re gonna be able to run things. You’re gonna have to learn the business first and we don’t have time for that.”

Giuseppe’s foot bounced up and down on the carpet as he nodded his agreement but he remained silent.

“Hold on to your hats, gentlemen, because my first order of business is to meet with the head of the ‘Ndrangheta. We’re meeting in a couple of days. Carmine, I believe you need this meeting to happen as it’s a sticking point with your cartel deal. I’ve already informed your contact that this meeting is going to take place. Salvatore Palma and I have already had a brief conversation about the cartel’s needs. I’m quite sure I can get him on board.”

There was silence in the room once again.

“Oh, I see. While you all thought I was sitting around waiting for the funeral, I’ve been working. Tony,” I turn to the large man, “I’ve also gone over your stuff with a fine-tooth comb. We need to talk.” Big Tony’s face filled with color and Giuseppe’s foot stopped bouncing as he glanced at his partner. “Do you want to tell him?” I indicate Giuseppe with my chin. “Or should I?”

Tony pushes to his feet with a roar. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. You don’t know jack shit. You belong in the kitchen not here. Get the fuck out of the room so we can do real business.”

Can they hear my heart slamming against my ribcage? Vague anxiety rises in my belly and sweat breaks out at my hairline. But I keep my face neutral. It’s so important I don’t show fear right now. I remember Maria’s words.Don’t give in. Don’t back down. Don’t show them weakness.I nod to Nico, who comes to stand behind Tony.

“The last shipment that you claimed was lost off the container ship in a storm? We’ve determined you stole it and sold it off the books, pocketing the proceeds for yourself.” Giuseppe gasped and leanedaway from Tony. I continued, like I hadn’t just stirred up a fucking hornet’s nest. “You do it once or twice a year. Keep a shipment and then say it got lost somehow. You cheated Giuseppe out of the money, and more importantly, you cheated my father out of it. I won’t stand for it.” I lean forward and lower my voice to a deadly pitch. “Don’t even try that shit with me.”

“And you,” I turn to Giuseppe. “You’re not innocent. You get guns supposedly to run off the Albanians, but instead, you sell them and pocket the cash.”

I turn to the whole table. “Gentlemen, this shit stops now. I know my father was weak and you all took advantage, but Renzo wasn’t weak, and neither am I.” I swallow and grit my teeth. The next part is going to suck on so many levels but it’s a necessity to prove I can do this. “Nico, I think both Tony and Giuseppe owe me. I want my pound of flesh,” I say as I stare at them. “Take a finger each. Just a pinkie this time.” I focus on Tony and Giuseppe. “Do it again and it will be a whole hand.”

Tony starts to move but Nico is on him immediately. He has Tony down on his knees in seconds. Luca pulls out Tony’s left hand and puts it on the table. Giuseppe stands up but Luca smashes him in the jaw, and he drops back into his seat, his eyes rolling in their sockets like a damn cartoon character.

Tony keeps his fingers balled into a fist, but Luca pries his pinky finger free. Tony curses and tries to struggle but Nico’s grip is firm. Luca takes out a knife and slices Tony’s finger off at the base. Tony howls and Luca lets his hand go. He whips around and grabs Giuseppe’s hand, taking off the pinky finger before Giuseppe even realizes what’s going on.

The other men stare first at Tony and Giuseppe and then at me. They are speechless, and I know they’re shocked, but now they know what they’re up against. I will not go down without a fight.

“Take this as a warning. I will not put up with the shit my father did. You will respect me. You will do as I say.” I pat my chest. “I am the head of this family. God help any man who tries to take that from me. I will guarantee you will not live long enough to regret it.”

“Now,” I say as I hold out my hand. “Kiss my ring.” It’s not my family ring that my father gave Renzo. It’s another ring that my mother had made for herself years ago. It has the family crest. It will do for now until I get one of my own made.

Tony is still cursing and trying to wrap his jacket around his hand. “You fucking bitch,” he snarls.

Nico comes up behind him. “Say that again,” Nico comments.

Tony whirls and stares at Nico. He curses under his breath, but his bravado is gone. He slowly gets to his feet and then bends and kisses my ring.

Giuseppe is openly crying. He’s trying to stem the flow of blood with a handkerchief he had in his pocket. He shakily gets to his feet and sways. Luca moves toward him.

“No!” Giuseppe says and raises his good hand in fear.

Luca gestures towards my ring. Giuseppe nods and then quickly kisses it.

I turn to face the rest of the men. “Gentlemen?” I prod.

One by one, they get up and come around the table. Carmine is first. He quickly kisses my ring and then grabs a hold of Giuseppe and helps him out of the room. Bobby Sticks glares at me but kisses my ring and quickly heads to the door, taking Big Tony with him.

“You are quite something, bella.” Paolo Lombardi grins at me as he takes my hand and kisses my ring. He straightens but doesn’t let go. “This is going to be so interesting. I look forward to working with you.” The way he says it makes it sound dirty. I say nothing but will the heat out of my cheeks. Paolo finally releases my hand and then nods to the Valdici brothers before taking his leave.

“That was brutal but necessary,” Luigi comments. “You had to put them in their place. They’ll hate you for it, all of them, but theywillrespect you. You need to make some smart business moves to cement your position, but you’ve bought yourself some time.” He smiles slightly. “You are a credit to your grandfather.” He bends and kisses my ring and then leans over and kisses my cheek. “He would be very proud of you.”

“Grazie, Luigi.”

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