Page 118 of His to Have
“No!” He launched forward. “This is complete bullshit. I built this shit. I’ll go to war. I’ll come after you and your family.”
“With what army?” I chuckled darkly. “Isabella fucked you over. Your men are gone.”
“I still have a few loyal men.”
“Stop it,” I boomed. “It’s over.”
There was a beat of silence while he let the truth set in. Then I continued. “Now this is what we’re going to do. The way I see it, you have two options.” I reached for my whiskey glass, taking a slow sip while keeping my eyes locked on Gianni. “Bow out graciously, or bow out permanently. The choice is yours.”
I set the glass down. “You have until I finish this drink to decide.” I nodded toward my half-filled glass of whiskey. “After that, if you can’t decide, I’ll make a decision for you.” My shrug was indifferent.
Gianni’s eyes narrowed as he considered what I was saying, but there was no hint of fear in his gaze. I took his silence as an invitation to continue.
“Here’s what’s going to happen. You will step back. Completely. The faction will divide your territories among the existing families until we find a suitable replacement. Sophia will handle the search, and before you even think about it, you get no say in who we choose. Your men will be absorbed into other families. Any resistance will be handled in blood.”
“And if I refuse? Then what? You gonna put a bullet in my head right here?”
“Then go home and sleep like a baby. Problem solved.”
“Do it then. Pull the trigger. At least I’ll go out….”
That request died on his lips when I put two bullets in his chest. The shots were quiet, silenced by the suppressor attached by me earlier in the day. I didn’t give a fuck about how he wanted to go out.
Wasn’t interested in anything past ending the Vitale name.
Gianni slumped forward, both eyes flashing wide. Blood seeped through his shirt, pooling at the floor.
I sighed, placing my glass gently on the table. “Done,” I said to him while he struggled to catch his breath.
Pulling out my phone, I dialed Keem. “I need you to deliver a package to the Riccis. A Don for a Don. Make sure they know it’s a gesture of goodwill... from me.”
“Say less.”
“And bring the cleaners.”
“They’ll be there in less than thirty.”
Downing the rest of my drink and hanging up the phone, I watched Gianni’s lips part then gurgle up a wet chuckle. He tried to curse me, but all that came out was a series of bloody coughs. I stood, slamming the glass on the table. Buttoning my tailored jacket, I straightened my cuffs and looked down at him one final time.
“Your territories will be carved up by morning.” I stepped back from the table, keeping clear of the new crime scene. “But your men. They’ll obey now.”
I walked to the door and opened it, finding his men waiting in the hallway. “Nobody touches him until my people arrive. Anyone who disobeys gets the same treatment.”
Without waiting for a response, I stepped past them and never looked back. My mind was now free, knowing every person who put hands on what was mine had been handled.
Gianni made his choice. And his choice pleased me.
The Vitale name died with him.
thirty-one
Ayanna
The doorbell rang just as I adjusted the fresh bouquet of white roses Teo had delivered to our home this morning — three dozen stems set in a beautiful crystal vase ready to be put on display. There was no special occasion or particular reason for the gesture.
It was just because.
I smiled, appreciating the simple yet thoughtful gift. Six months ago, if someone told me that I’d be married to Teo Donatelli, I would have called them a liar. Not just any kind of liar, but a bald-faced, foolish liar.
