Page 46 of Brando

“Is he holding her against her will?” Brando asks.

“I have no idea. But I can see she doesn’t like him much.”

“You did good, Jayson,” I tell him, my hand stretching out to meet his in a handshake. “You’ll keep me posted if there’s anything else?”

Jayson gives a curt nod, his gaze sharp. “You'll be the first to know, Don Gatti.”

“Call me Scar.”

I approach Brando as Jayson leaves, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You need to be careful, brother.” My voice is a soft balm that wraps around him, a promise of my unwavering support. “This isn't just about business. For some reason, it's personal for Falcone.”

Brando meets my gaze, the weight of his concern for Mia heavy on his shoulders. “It's always been personal,” he mutters.

24

BRANDO

Ican’t shake the tension that weighs heavily on my shoulders. Each hour that passes feels as though I’m sitting over a charcoal fire with no way of getting up. I’ve promised Scar that I’ll tuck my crazy away until further notice; we don’t need any more complications as we work all our sources trying to find the Andrade sisters.

The minute that Jayson Caluna gave us a location for Falcone, I was ready to go storming into that compound to retrieve Mia, but Scar held me back. Breaking through the gates of the compound when we didn’t know where the twins were could result in more danger to the girls than what they were already in, and Scar was adamant that we had to slow down and plan out our movements strategically. It took me a while to simmer down, but eventually I saw the wisdom in what he was saying. We’ve been doing nothing but planning our next move ever since. I have every man available, and there is no shortage of them, working every possible angle to find the girls, while Lupe and Enzo are putting out fires being lit by the Viccis.

I fix both men with what I’m told is my signature killer glare when I see the expressions on their faces as they walk into myoffice. Today is not the day for them to be bringing me bad news, but I know the expressions they wear all too well. I lean back in my chair, steeling myself for whatever revelation is about to unfold.

“Brando,” Lupe begins, and I already don’t like the tone of his voice. “We need to talk. About the Viccis.”

I raise a wary eyebrow. “This again?”

They’re both quiet as they look at me, before their eyes skirt to each other, daring one another to tell me whatever it is they’ve come to say.

“Just spit it out,” I tell them, my patience wearing thin. It can’t possibly get any worse than it already is.

“We spoke before about their familial connection to the Lucianis,” Enzo reminds me, his tone serious. “It turns out Falcone’s the one that’s been lighting that fire under them. He’s using their anger to turn them into allies against the Gattis.”

My jaw clenches, anger simmering beneath the surface. I realize it actuallycouldget worse that it already is.

“The bastard is trying to pit us against everyone while he sits back and watches the chaos unfold,” Lupe adds. “Say the word, boss, and I’ll have his head attached to a stake before sunrise.”

“There’s more,” Enzo tells me, his face grave. “I spoke with one of the Viccis who’s an old friend of the Falcone family. And you’ll never believe the story he told me.”

“Do I look like I’m in the mood for stories, Enzo?” I’m somewhat irate, but Enzo, true to fashion, waves me off and tells me to hear him out. I tell myself it had better be a good story or I’m going to pistol whip him just to get over the trauma of sitting through another one of his history lessons.

Enzo steps closer, lowering his voice. “He directly mentioned Frank’s animosity towards you. It’s more personal than you think.”

My heart races as I fight to keep my composure. I’m suddenly the best student sitting in the front of class, and I can’t wait for the history lesson to begin.

“Continue. By all means.”

“Falcone’s hatred for the Gattis stems from your mother,” Enzo explains, his voice low. “Your mother was involved in an affair with Falcone’s father; an affair which drove his mother to suicide.”

I feel the ground shift dangerously beneath me, the implication crashing over me like a wave. “My mother… she was having an affair with Falcone’s father?” I don’t know why I’m so surprised, since my mother was evil personified.

“Frank’s mother lost her mind after the affair came to light,” Enzo continues. “He’s been holding a grudge against your family ever since, blaming you for the pain his mother suffered.”

My fists clench painfully, my nails digging ferociously into my palms, anger and confusion battling within me. “So, this whole thing goes back to my mother?” I spit the words out in disbelief. We’re still paying the price for the error of her ways. Another one of her burdens that we have to carry. Our mother continues to haunt us from beyond the grave. God only knows what else will come to light as more time passes. I realize if she were still alive, I’d gladly kill her again.

“You’re telling me that everything Falcone has done is vengeance for something my mother did to his family?”

“Exactly,” Lupe replies, his gaze steady. “Frank sees you as a symbol of everything that went wrong in his life. He wants revenge, he wants to destroy your family the same way he believes his was destroyed.”

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