Page 65 of The Sicilian Bastard
Luciano, One Month Later
I'd had enough. Nicolo had gone too far. While Araceli and I had solidified our relationship, Nick and Rose drifted further and further apart. They couldn't go on like this, and I decided to do something about it. We told the girls we were going to New York for dress shopping. Since Rose had bought her wedding dress there, it wasn't crazy to start a tradition. They both heard shopping and wanted to go. Only Eunji believed we had nefarious purposes.
We landed in New York and no one came to greet us. I gritted my teeth and tried not to lose my temper on everyone in the vicinity. The Falcones were slacking. It was only a little understandable since they lost their Don earlier this year and Nick wasn't prepared to take over. Enough was enough, though. We lost our Don, my mother, and a ton of other close family at the wedding massacre with the Russians. Yet, we survived. The Falcones haven't been dealt that big of a blow. Don Falcone had been dying and when his wife left, he lost the will to live. Anyone could see it in his eyes.
So, we headed off to the Falcone compound. We split up with the girls. We told them we'd take all the luggage and have a meeting with Nick while they went to try on clothes. There were a ton of cars lined in the driveway of the Falcone compound. I stepped out before Vito because I still put myself out in front to protect him. Agosto headed up the rear. He was going back to Vegas in a week and I was going to miss him. I knew that he needed to be there. We wanted to expand. Now that the cartel went into hiding because their entire circle was dead, it left a hole where we could build a foothold. We could expand our empire. Things were looking up for me. Vito had me doing more than just security and grunt work. We had meetings every other day, and I thought I was in his inner circle. He trusted me more. I felt like I was a part of the family finally, which was why we needed to do this.
"What do you think is going on here?" Agosto slicked back his hair.
"A meeting or something? We haven't spoken to Nick in a while. I don't think he's doing well."
I grunted my agreement with Vito.
Nick had strayed. He abandoned my sister in her time of need and he hadn't given her any time or attention. Even worse, he didn't pay attention to her medically, causing her seizures to happen even more. We entered the compound and no guards or anything blocked our way. The men were seated in the living room. There were a few women there as well, but the ratio was off. Nick was sitting in the center of the room, smoking a cigar. He looked mildly surprised at our entrance. This was the first show of emotion he had shown in a long while.
"Welcome, Picone brothers. What are you here for? A social visit?" His jovial tone was at war with the anger flashing in his eyes. He didn't want us here at all.
"This isn't a social call." Vito motioned for Nick to get up and follow him, but Nick didn't move a muscle.
"Business? You should have contacted me before coming out all this way. I have family here and can't be pulled away right now."
Agosto moved closer to the circle of women. Something or someone had caught his eye, but I couldn't pay him any attention because Nick was disrespecting us and I needed to give my attention here.
"You want to do this here? Now?" Vito warned. He sat down in a chair and crossed his legs like he was the boss. While he and Nick were supposed to be the heads of this syndicate, Vito ruled with an iron fist. He overrode Nick on a lot of deals. He wanted to leave men here in New York so he could have better eyes on the Falcones. Vito trusted no one.
"Yeah, lay it on me. We are all allies," Nick sneered.
"Effective immediately, we are dissolving our treaty. We are no longer allies. We are no longer a syndicate. Come into my territory without a word, and it will mean war. You've disrespected us enough." There was a crescendo of protests from some of the older men seated. They clearly understood what was happening. Nick just seemed lost and confused by Vito's declaration.
"What about your sister? Without the treaty, what will protect her?" I stopped myself from snarling at Nick. No one threatened my family. Vito put a hand on my arm, trying to calm me down.
"You'll receive divorce papers in the mail. I trust you'll sign them. My sister is no longer your concern." Vito rose, putting an end to this meeting. We could've called or even emailed, but we needed a show of power. Nick had run around and spit all over us. It was time for us to fix that.
"Wait," one of the men sitting to my left called. "What about another marriage? Something that will strengthen the alliance. We have the perfect woman too. Girl, come here." He snapped in the direction of the women.
A frail woman stepped out of the circle of women and stood in front of Vito. I growled in her direction. She looked weak. She wouldn't be able to handle marrying a Picone.
"We don't have anyone she would match." I flicked my gaze over the other women.
"I'll do it." Agosto surprised me by speaking up. He cleared his throat. "I'll marry her."
"Bueno,"the older men cheered while Nick pouted. We headed out, but Nick trailed silently behind us.
Just as we were piling into the vehicles, Nick stopped Vito. "Give me another chance," he begged.
"No." Vito shook him off.
"One more. I don't want to lose her. I'll come back to Philly so we can work it out in your territory. I can leave someone here in charge." I learned that I liked seeing Nick beg.
"Vincenzo can fly in and do it," piped Agosto.
"Vincenzo?" Nick shuffled forward.
"Our middle brother. He lives in Vegas, but he could use the hands-on training. When you work everything out, Vinnie can go back to Vegas and help Agosto keep the cartel from rising up again," Vito declared. Well, it was happening now.
"Just like that? Our alliance is back on?" Nick grumbled.
"For now," I stated lightly.
