Page 96 of Heartless Sinner

As my father talks enthusiastically about the latest acquisition and the work he’ll be doing in Italy when he retires, I study the faces of the men around me, wondering which of them betrayed me.

The meeting has been going for a little over an hour, and that’s all I keep thinking.

I’ve investigated everyone here with exceptions to Brahm and my father and found nothing. It’s getting frustrating, and I’m finding it hard not to resort to more drastic measures.

“I think it’s time we hear from you now, Micah,” Papà says, taking a quick breath. “It would be great if you could share some more insight into your decisions and any progress with our real estate venture.”

I lean forward. “Let’s talk about the real estate first.”

Neither of my uncles likes that. Gio practically rolls his eyes at me, and Mario doesn’t bother to hide his frown. Antonio is the only one who manages to keep his composure free of his annoyance, but his eyes give him away.

I launch into a forty-minute discussion where I tell them we’ll be a hundred million dollars richer within the next three months, but they’re all greedy bastards.

Wealth is wealth. Power is another thing. They want in on the leadership badly.

“Unless you have questions, I’ll move on to the leadership positions,” I announce, looking at each of them.

Of course, just as I thought—no one has questions. They just want me to get to the point.

I’ve come to the decision that if I choose the guy who’s playing sides, I can always choose the next best person.

I glance at Brahm before I speak, noting the tension on his face. I guessed that he hasn’t spoken to me yet because he’s still in limbo, so I won’t make things worse by applying pressure. “I have only made a selection for the positions ofcapo and consigliere. The position of underboss is still being contemplated. So, without further ado, I have chosen Antonio to be my consigliere and Lorenzo to be our capo.”

Father and son. They both stare at each other and look happy with my decision. My father looks pleased with it, too.

Mario and Gio are the only ones with deepened frowns, which is understandable because they’re older than Antonio. But not wiser.

Antonio has always been that uncle who likes to think he’s also your father and takes care of you like you’re no different to his children. Since he offers his wisdom and love every chance he gets, no one is more suited to be consigliere than him.

Lorenzo has Antonio’s qualities and has the brute strength required to lead an army. At thirty years old, he’s the youngest of the cousins and perfect to take over the leadership if something happens to me.

I have positions for Mario and Gio, but not in the famiglia. Mario would have always been a no-go for me because of his ties to the Enclave, and Gio is my least favorite uncle. He only looks out for himself.

“What about us?” Mario asks, referring to himself, Gio, and Brahm, but what he’s really asking is if I’m considering either of them for the underboss position.

I’ll put him out of his misery. “I have allocated you positions in the company. Mario, you will be the new CFO, while Gio will be the COO.”

They both exchange surprised glances as neither of them held such high positions in the company. I can tell they’re both satisfied with the positions, but they want more.

“I’d like Brahm, Antonio, and Lorenzo to jointly hold the position of chief technology officer, if they agree.”

They all nod. At least Brahm is agreeable to something.

“Good. That’s all for now.” I dip my head. “I hope to come to a decision about the underboss position as soon as possible.”

Brahm cuts me a glance but quickly looks away.

“Wonderful. Meeting adjourned,” my father says.

The room clears, leaving my father and me to pack up the paperwork. This is where we get into that zone of silence.

It gets worse every time I see him. We appear to be okay in front of everyone else, but then this happens.

I gather my paperwork and shove it in my briefcase, eager to get out.

“Is this how we’re going to be, mio figlio? Not talking to each other for the last few weeks we work together?” His words surprise me.

I glance up and stare at him, wondering how I’m supposed to answer. “That’s not my fault. It’s yours.”

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