Page 40 of Unspoken Ties

The possibility that the traitor was responsible for Liria’s father’s death and her abduction lingered in my mind like a dark, looming cloud. I couldn’t shake the worry that consumed me nearly every waking moment. I would stop at nothing to protect her, and was prepared to scorch the earth if it meant keeping her safe from harm.

I realized I’d never be able to solve this mystery alone. So, I relied on the help of my four closest friends: Emilio, Vincenzo, Rocco and Felix.

Emilio “The Butcher” Renzetti lived up to his title. He would slice and dice men until they were begging for mercy, and after getting what he needed, swiftly end their lives. He was also like a brother to me. Vincenzo was the most levelheaded out of the five of us, and would often diffuse scenarios that would arise. And then there were Rocco and Felix, the twins. They might look alike, but their personalities were mirror opposites.

They were all waiting for me when I entered my office. Vincenzo and Emilio were chatting while the twins were arguing over something as per usual.

“One of the other families is double-crossing us,” I announced without preamble, dumping the note in the center of the mahogany table. The room fell silent as their eyes slid from me to the paper.

“The problem is, I can’t figure out their deal. Are they doing it to just us, or the three other families, too?” I said, staring down at the note on the table. “Does this have to do with Leone’s death?”

For now, I neglected to mention Liria’s kidnapping. As their leader, I knew I had to choose my words carefully.

Emilio was the first to break the silence, as he usually was. “We need more information,” he said calmly, folding his arms across his chest. “But first things first, we need to figure out who wrote this note.”

Felix snorted, shaking his head. “That’s impossible. Might as well try to figure out who in the city breathes air.”

I hated to admit it, but I had come to the same conclusion as Felix. The only ways I had thought to get the server’s identity was to pull the Coscia’s security cam footage, which we did not have access to.

Rocco, however, frowned at his brother’s comment and then turned to me. “I think we could figure it out. Do you remember who was catering that night, or if they had private chefs?”

“They had it catered from that really high end place…” I said, trying to recall their name. “Dekker’s!”

“Right, Dekker’s,” Rocco affirmed, his mind already running ahead with the information. “They would have a roster for who worked that night. We could get our hands on that.”

That seemed simple enough, but I knew it wouldn’t be. Dekker’s was not like other catering companies; it was famous for its discretion. The city’s elite families trusted them implicitly and for a good reason.

“I have a guy who can get it,” Vincenzo said, as if reading my mind.

“We’ll still need to find the info on each person andhopeLiria remembers the face when she sees it.” I paused, the unspoken implication hanging in the air. As their leader, I could not afford to show uncertainty or doubt. But it was there, gnawing at my insides. “One step at a time. Let’s get that roster.”

Vincenzo rose from the table, a nod in my direction showing his understanding and immediate action. I watched him leave the room, his broad shoulders disappearing around the corner before turning back to face Emilio, Rocco and Felix, who still sat around the mahogany table.

“We need to increase our security,” I stated, locking eyes with Emilio. Despite his savage moniker and brutish exterior, Emilio was a man of utmost loyalty with a protective instinct that paralleled mine. “If there’s even a hint of a threat against our families, we need to be ready for it.”

Our families. It sounded foreign to my tongue, but I supposed that was what Liria and I were. A married couple thrown together by odd circumstances, but a family nonetheless.

And I would protect her, even if it meant certain death.

The plan made me feel less stressed, albeit temporarily, so I could work on a part of the business I took over from Leone. Or rather, sever the ties like the rotting flesh it was. My ethics werequestionable, and I had done many horrible things, but this was just too far.

Leone had been involved in the organ trafficking. I couldn’t say I was surprised when I had found out. Leone was many things: ruthless, ambitious, greedy - it was no surprise he was a monster. He had kept it so discreet that not even the other three families knew, and we generally had an idea of the darkest things the others were up to, even though we didn’t talk about it.

He was involved with a third-party organization, separate from any known criminal group, that specialized in providing organs to the elite. Their operations were shrouded in secrecy, hidden beneath layers of false identities and backdoor deals. To them, human organs were nothing more than commodities to be bought and sold on a lucrative market. And he was their trusted middleman, ensuring that the desires of the powerful were fulfilled at any cost.

I wasn’t going to let that continue. I couldn’t call myself a man of ethics with all the dark things I had done as a Don in the mafia. But kidnapping at risk people and killing them for parts was too much for me. Another family or the Bratva could take over.

The remaining men filed out of my office, each off to their respective tasks of the day. I pulled out my cell phone, bracing myself for the call that I was about to make. The number I dialed was one I had found deep with Leone’s files, purposely mislabeled to keep what he did for work a secret.

He was a man known only as “The Surgeon.” His actual name was a closely guarded secret, even to those involved in the business.

The phone rang twice before it was answered. His voice was smooth and even, and he spoke with a confidence in his tone. It was unnerving knowing what this man did, and equally so hearing the civility of his tone.

“This is Don Ettore,” I said, my voice steady and commanding. “We have business to discuss.”

“Ah, Ettore, a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he replied. “What brings you my way?”

“A change to the current arrangement,” I cut straight to the point.

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