Page 65 of King Of Order

‘About what?’

‘The murder, Signora. Your father was killed. You’re now his heir, and how we handle it is your decision.’

I huffed. ‘The man had one thousand and one targets on his back. We’ll never find his killer.’

‘Then I suggest we keep the fact quiet,’ Signora Messini said. ‘The fact is, the hospital can’t seem to locate any footage or have any records of anyone entering his room at the time of death. It’s like a ghost went in and out. There’s also no trace of a gun or bullet casing. We have nothing to work with. The head of the hospital can be persuaded to make it all go away, as can the police chief; he’s a friend of my firm.’

‘And Olivio Tirone’s death works in his favor,’ I murmured, surprising myself with my cold-hearted conclusion. ‘One more criminal off the streets.’

‘Indeed,’ Signora Messini nodded.

‘I also don’t want Claudio starting a gang war to track down the killer. It’ll be a useless exercise, cost money and time, and put us all in more fuckin’ danger.’

‘Your call, signora.’

‘I’ve made it,’ I stated, straightening my back. ‘Make it all go away, have an open casket, but make up that covers up the entry wound. Don’t let my brothers anywhere near his body, not that I think they’ll care to view it. Please close all loops with the hospital and police.’

I stared at the lawyer as he nodded imperceptibly, understanding my orders.

I shook as I took one more glance at Olivio, lying cold, dead, tiny on the mortuary table, then spun on my heel and left, with Rio in my wake.

The drive back was quieter.

I had no words at first.

The numbness was settling in, making everything, all senses, all sounds, feel distant.

‘I thought I’d be more upset,’ I muttered, breaking the silence.

My voice sounded strange, detached, even to my ears. ‘About him. About my father. I’m not.’

Rio glanced over at me, his face as unreadable as ever, but his eyes flickered with something—understanding, maybe. ‘You don’t have to be,’ he rasped.

I shook my head, trying to work it out. ‘No, I mean, I thought it would break me. I thought it would crush me, losing him. But I’m not broken.’ I paused, looking over at him, meeting his eyes. ‘I think it’s because I understand the code. He destroyed many lives. Perhaps this was a hit from someone who wanted closure. He also destroyed my - .’

I stopped myself before confessing.

Rio glanced at me and didn’t say anything at first.

He kept driving, his hands gripping the wheel, his jaw tight.

But after a moment, his voice cut through the silence again. ‘I understand you more than you’ll ever know,belleza.’

And for the first time in what seemed like forever, I believed it.

VALERIO

‘Bitch! Open this fuckin’ door!’

The roar shattered the quiet. It came from the front door of Chiara’s house.

She jolted, eyes flying to my face.

‘Who the hell is that?’ I muttered, sitting up, my senses on high alert.

Chiara sighed. ‘Claudio.’

Her brother.

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