Page 114 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

I bend and turn so one of them can reach the clasp of my necklace. Val removes it for me. I catch the chain and my rings in my palm and remove the rings from the necklace.

“Now I am ready,” I say after taking a calming breath.

Michael

This is it. I am finally putting an end to this threat. This is their end. I have made my point.

I have known who I was looking for since I took that case from the Germans. They had their own research on Leonardoand his backers. The problem with the evidence was the program that erased everything once I hacked the database.

It was there long enough for me to read the information but gone before I could back it up as proof or restore it. I have been waiting somewhat patiently for this day.

They have earned all the ceremonies I have granted them up until today. I slaughtered their families as I made them watch. Do I feel an ounce of remorse? Not one bit.

LaSalle was happy to unleash me on all three of my targets after they sent that ambush to his wedding. Misha Krupin is here for the man he lost.

He insisted he get to see this all firsthand. I felt it only right to make this the grand ceremony of it all. They wanted me and my wife dead to prevent this alliance from forming.

This has always been bigger than the two of us, but the two of us will go down in history for the role we have and will play. I sit here to take my crown, but not alone.

“Are we ready?” Don Alessio says as everyone gathers to watch my promotion and my first order of business.

I lift my hand in the air. We can’t begin until everyone is in place. I feel more than see her walk up beside me.

She places her hand on my shoulder. I turn my head slightly to see she’s wearing her wedding rings for this occasion. Her wedding rings and the Trovati family ring.

I lift her hand to my lips and kiss her fingers before placing it back on my shoulder and covering it to give it a squeeze. I then look up into the eyes of the woman I love. I wink at her and nod my head.

Sim gives me a blinding smile. She then looks to Don Trovati. “We are ready,” she says to everyone.

“I want you all to meet the new heads of the Trovati family. My granddaughter, Symphony Isabella Mansilla-Trovati-Donati and Micheal Angelo Donati,” Alessio announces.

Cheers of congratulation erupt from the crowd. I stand and tug Sim into my arms to kiss her deeply. She clings to my shirt as she kisses me back.

“Okay, everyone, let’s go celebrate and eat,” Alessio croons to the crowd.

Everyone files out of the hall until the four men on their knees and the members of the Alliance who are in attendance are the only ones who remain. As the doors are locked, Uri, Val, Annabella, and Adriano all line up behind the four men.

Adriano asked me to allow him to take part in this in honor of Julissa. He has felt guilty for her death. Salvatore and Uri talked me into allowing Adriano to keep his job and his life.

I wasn’t going to kill him over Julissa. My anger stemmed from the fact that she could have been Sim. However, it was Sim who saved his life.

She explained how, for a long time, he was the only friend she had outside of me. I couldn’t take that away from her. No matter how much I wanted to.

“The four of you didn’t want to see this day come to pass. The Alliance, my wife and I taking over the Trovati family, the end of your old era. I’m so happy that I could give you a front-row seat.

“I hope you have mourned your losses well. I put in extra special work to exterminate your bloodlines. You see the difference between doing and trying.

“I guess I was more effective because I did the work myself. I like to get shit done. I see the suits and shoes I sent for you all fit perfectly. Uri?”

“Done,” he replies as all four of my executioners finish the job I started.

EPILOGUE

Work to Do

Michael

Ten years later …

---