Page 33 of Reign of Commotion

Alessio nods and steps out of the way.Davide slips in a USB key, and the screen comes alive with side-by-side photos of Angelo when he was in his midthirties, and the man from the photo.The likeness between the two is remarkable.The man in the photo has a stronger jaw and firmer chin, but they are still very much alike, except one has dark hair, the other more blond.

“Tomasso?”I ask.“That doesn’t make any sense.”Tomasso has done his best to stay out of his father’s way and delay his entry into his Mafia role.

“I know Tomasso.He’s not the kind of guy who would turn on you orIl Destino,”Davide states.“I understand his position.We’ve even talked about it.But we both know that our destiny is with the family.Regardless of the photo, there’s got to be an explanation,” Davide insists.“I called and left him a message to call me back.I want to have a chance to talk to him.”

“It’s not wise to walk into a situation alone.You may not know him as well as you think you do,” Niccolo says, his expression of worry apparent.

When Davide’s phone rings, we all stop while he looks at the screen.“It’s Tomasso.”

“Put it on speaker,” Alessio commands, then takes a seat behind his desk.

“Hey, Tom.”

“Hey.Sorry I didn’t call you back.I’m glad you called.I was hoping to talk to someone.”Tomasso’s voice sounds heavy with sadness.

“You sound like shit, dude.Are you in trouble?”Davide asks, and I can see that he’s really worried about Tomasso.Both these guys were fighting for their place in the family and have bonded in the process.

“Not me, but—fuck!I think I’ve got to talk to the capo.”Tomasso sounds troubled.“He doesn’t know me.I have no idea how to get in touch with him.I can’t go to my father,” he says, and I can hear him pacing, wherever he is.

“I can ask Niccolo to get you a meeting with him.I’ll come with you.Whatever you need, man,” Davide encourages.

“What if I’m wrong?”he says.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but the bigger question is, what if you’re right?”Davide says.

He lowers his voice.“Can you come and get me?”I sense the hesitation, and from his tone, I can hear the conflict he’s struggling with.Tomasso knows something, and it must be big for him to want to meet with Alessio.

“I’ll get Niccolo to call Alessio.He’ll set up a meeting, and we’ll come for you,” Davide offers, and Tomasso agrees, giving him his location.Davide promises to be there within the hour and hangs up.

Alessio tells Niccolo, “Get men in the area.I want backup available.”

Davide gapes at Alessio.“Tomasso wouldn’t do that.He’s not that kind of guy.”

“Are you willing to risk your life on that?”Alessio asks, lifting a brow.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Davide snaps.

“All right.”Alessio gets up and comes around the desk to stand in front of him.“Are you willing to risk your brother’s life?He’s a valuable asset for an enemy to acquire, and he would be dead before I could get to him.So, I’ll ask again: is it worth taking a chance?”

Davide blows out a heavy breath and looks at his brother.“I never want anything to happen to you.Ever!You know that, right?”

“Davide, I love that you have trust and faith in people.I hate that I have to prepare you for the fucked-up crap that lands on our doorstep, but friends or not, we must make sure that we limit the dangers.Tomasso might be waiting for us to make his move.Maybe you don’t know him as well as you think.There are other scenarios.Maybe his father got to him, and he’s following his orders,” Niccolo points out.

“Might be that he’s being watched, and he’s in danger,” I add.“Either way, backup could be there to protect him as much as you.”I look at our capo.“Do you want me there?”

Alessio rubs his chin and paces back and forth.“No.”He shakes his head.“If this is related to Milana, then seeing you might tip them off.”

Waiting around for stuff to happen is agonizing.I’m usually in the action and on the offense.“This nothingness is killing me,” I grumble.

“Patience, Julian,” Alessio says.“Everything will come to an end.Your father will have plenty for you to do when this cloud is gone.And I’ll need you to train your replacement to guard my wife and child.You’ll be moving forward with your training to take over for your father.He’s already spoken to me about wanting to slow down and eventually hand over the reins.”

I know Dad’s been thinking about stepping back, but he’s gone further than I expected.I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that Dad spoke with Alessio before anyone else.It’s exactly what a good underboss would do, and Dad’s an exceptional leader.

“He should be the trainer for all new underbosses,” I tell him.

Alessio chuckles.“I’d like to have a hundred like Joe.I would definitely sleep better at night,” he admits.

Niccolo steps away to organize the men, and Davide sits on the sofa, elbows to knees with his head in his hands, staring at his shoes.Alessio excuses himself and walks out, leaving us alone.

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