Page 6 of The Vendetti Soldier

“Any cops or security that we know of?” Luc questions, thankfully, because my head is too busy wondering why we’re helping the Bratva in the first place to worry about other important details.

Salvatore speaks up, “Mm. O’Hagan has made it his pet project. He and his nephew are always keeping an eye on the place. I haven’t seen any private security companies. So the cops must be on the take.”

Matteo nods. “Leave their bodies with the others,” he orders, and I do a double take. We’re putting down Irish cops now too? I knew things were going to get bloody, but usually, we stay as far away as possible from hurting any law enforcement. You put a cop down, and too many flags get raised, then people start asking questions that wouldn’t normally be brought up. I don’t say anything about it, of course, as it’d come off as defying orders, and in this famiglia, such things don’t happen. Valentino tried, and he fell so fast from grace, I’m surprised his neck didn’t snap on the way down.

“I spoke to Dante earlier. He knows to watch for any more oncoming heat in his area. His woman has the Table of the Five Famiglia’s locked down. Joker is furious with the Irish right now; he didn’t elaborate why. I guess Joker didn’t put up a fight when they spoke about the future of the city, so they must be seeing eye to eye with our opinions of the Irish mob moving in on territory.”

Matteo tilts his head, thinking for a beat before meeting Cris’ stare, saying, “Maybe you should return to Chicago for a little while. Watch Dante’s back. We know Joker wants the city for himself, and it’s not going to happen, especially not after the mess Dante went through in that godforsaken city. I’ll take out every member of his organization before I lay down our territory to him.”

“Dante knew you were going to say as much. He told me to tell you he’s got it handled. Joker won’t let a soul touch his niece and has backed off Dante. He, uh, mentioned they’re getting along.”

Matteo glowers while the rest of our mouths drop open. Dante getting along with the Chicago Crew mafia? I find it hard to believe, and it makes me wonder if he’s secretly killed them all, hidden the bodies, and taken control of everything. It was the initial mission, so I wouldn’t put it past him, especially with his crazy Jekyll and Hyde personality.

“I can go,” I offer immediately without a second thought. It’s my turn, after all. Our brothers have flown back and forth to offer Dante backup, and I’m far overdue from visiting my older fratello. I’ve been lucky and have gotten to stay home more, while the others have put in the time traveling to and from Chicago.

Matteo’s calculating stare pins back on me. “No. I have other business for you and Luciano.”

I want to protest, but I know when to choose my battles, and this isn’t the time. Whatever he has up his sleeve directed at me and Luc sets me on edge a bit, especially after witnessing him and Violet with the beautiful, mysterious woman. Maybe Matteo’s marrying off Luc, and he knows mio fratello will need me here for support? Who knows, but if that’s the case, we better find out soon because I don’t want Luc having any of those attacks and not being able to breathe, especially if I’m not with him when it happens. Mio fratello and I have always been more attached to each other than with our other fratelli; there’s just something inside me that knows he needs me more than the others do. “Get out of there with the bodies as quickly as you can, then torch the house.”

A knock interrupts his orders, making the room grow quiet. The door opens a moment later from Violet’s office, and she peeks in. “Scusa for interrupting,darlings, but Matteo, amore mio, there’s an important call for you.”

“Grazie, mia fiore.”

She blows him a kiss before ducking back into her office. She leaves the door open this time, knowing our meeting is officially over. Violet could’ve sat in if she wished, but there was no need, as Matteo gives her the cliff notes version on any important information. Besides, she needs to heal from having another bambino. The stubborn woman still makes her way down to do business a few times a day when the bambino sleeps. We all want her resting and healing, but she won’t listen unless Matteo does the same thing. Each day, he takes a long lunch to lay in bed with her, eat, and cuddle. We all stop by their suites each day as well to see if she needs anything and check in on the bambino. My tiny nephew is adorable, just like the other mini Vendettis running around the Estate.

We say our goodbyes and quickly head for the garage. Luciano texts rapidly, so I know he’s assembling the men without me having to do anything. One thing about working with mio famiglia all my life is that we make a great team. I’m guessing since our absence yesterday wasn’t mentioned, then Matteo either didn’t catch us leaving the Estate or he chose to ignore it. Most likely the latter, because mio fratello rarely misses a thing when it comes to the famiglia.

“They’re bringing everything we need?”

He shakes his head. “I told them not to. We’re going to stop by the cabin on our way out.”

Good call.I don’t like taking weapons from home; I always have an irrational fear mio famiglia will need them and they won’t have enough. I know it’s ridiculous, as the Vendetti Estate has enough to arm at least a hundred men and then some.

We pass Arianna, Cristiano’s wife, in the hallway, walking with Annabella, Salvatore’s wife. They flash bright smiles, and we return the sentiment. “You guys aren’t staying for lunch?” Annabella asks.

I thought she hated me for a while, but in her defense, I was kind of a dick to her and Salvatore when they first got together. Valentino was the same, but he’s always an ass to everyone to test how far he can push them. At that time, however, we were both dealing with our own set of demons. I realize now it’s no excuse, and I need to man up to my shitty behavior, so I attempt to be as nice as possible to her whenever she’s around. I instantly hit it off with Violet when I first met her; I feel terrible about not offering the same friendship to these two women right away as well. I’ll probably never be close to Arianna, but that’s through my own actions with Cristiano’s first wife and has nothing to do with her. I actually like Ari, and especially for my younger fratello; they’re so in love with one another it’s kind of gross at times. After everything they’ve been through, especially Arianna, they deserve all the lovesick happiness life can offer them.

“Sorry, ladies, duty calls.”

“See you at dinner, then?” Annabella presses. She grew up with a close famiglia, and she expects the same here. It’s good because famiglia is everything to the Vendettis; it’s literally why we work so hard to make the Empire successful.

The legacy is forallof us.

Luciano leans in, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and purrs, “We’ll be home soon, bella. Now, go before your marito gets jealous that you think we’re handsomer than he is.”

She rolls her eyes.

Arianna giggles and says in her heavy Italian accent, “Ciao and be safe.”

“Ciao, ladies,” I murmur, watching as Luciano kisses each of their cheeks before joining me the rest of the way. “You should stop kissing them,” I mention to him, worried. “Our fratelli grow more jealous and possessive of them with each bambino they have. One day, they will cut off your nuts, and then you will never have your own famiglia.”

He scoffs. “They are mia famiglia. And no, I won’t stop kissing them. I love them, they are the mothers to my nieces and nephews, the sisters we never had growing up. They deserve to be worshipped for that alone. Our fratelli know I would not cross the line unless they themselves requested me to.”

Shaking my head, I mutter, “Not me. Never again, after learning Cristiano was hurt. I was blinded in my lust, and I will never hurt our fratelli again.”

“Our fratelli have nothing to worry over; you and I share our lovers, and it’s more than enough for me. Let’s be done with this. We have more pressing matters to handle right now than who we fuck together.”

Chapter 3

---