Page 87 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

“I can work out the details with yourconsigliereover the next two weeks.”

“Myconsigliereis dead.”

“Oh,” Niccolo said in surprise. “I’m sorry to hear that. How did he die?”

“I killed him,” Vicari said, then gave that horrifying smile again. “He was terrible at his job.”

Nic and I both sat there, stunned.

Vicari had killed his ownconsigliere –

Which was shocking. Unheard of.

A don had probably killed hisconsigliereatsomepoint in the past –

But I’d never heard of it happening inmylifetime.

Aconsiglierewas a don’s most trusted confidant. The Number Two Man in the organization, chosen for his loyalty.

If Vicari had murdered hisconsigliere…

Then he was letting us know he was capable of just about anything.

It rattled me…

And though he tried not to show it, it rattled my brother, too.

“…I see,” Niccolo said. “Well, then… I’ll just work out the details with whoever your newconsigliereis.”

“You can work them out withme… since I won’t be replacing him anytime soon.”

Don Vicari stood up, signaling the meeting was over.

Niccolo and I stood up right after him – half out of respect, and half the same way you’d flinch if a king cobra flared its hood.

Vicari turned to me. “We should get going. It’s a two-hour car ride.” Then he looked at Niccolo. “My driver will take you back to the plane.”

“Excellent,” Niccolo replied. “I’d like a word with my brother before I go.”

Vicari motioned like,Go ahead.

Niccolo walked away from all the other gangsters. I quickly followed him.

“What the fuck have you gotten me into?” I whispered in a panic.

“Sicily,” he said drily. “Just play by his rules and everything will be fine.”

“Niccolo – ”

“Listen to me,” he whispered urgently. “Without aconsigliere,Don Vicari will have no restraints – no voice of reason to temper him. He’ll do whatever the fuck he pleases. Any dark impulses will be magnified, any blind spots will become mountains. And if things go to shit, he’ll blame people around him rather than take responsibility.Do not put yourself in a position where he can blame you for anything.Do what he saysat all times.”

“Niccolo, you can’t leave me here,” I said frantically.

“We have no choice. The die is cast,” he said grimly. “Now calm down – I need to tell you one last thing.”

“What?” I demanded.

“Up until now, you’ve had the luxury of being young. Impetuous. Acting without thinking. Little to no responsibility. Doing only what you wanted,whenyou wanted. You can’t afford those luxuries anymore. From here on out, this is an entirely different game. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

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