Page 29 of Welcome to the Sins of Blackstone
“So, we don’t just take it? We destroy it?” Sebastian asks.
I tilt my head. “Let them keep their money. I want them scraping it together with bloody hands.
My father finally speaks, his voice low and thoughtful. “It’ll send a message.”
“It’ll do more than that,” I murmur. “It’ll starve them. No shipment means no power. Their alliances will weaken. Their suppliers will hesitate. The cracks will start to show.”
My brother, Luca, crosses his arms. “And how do we do it?”
I meet his gaze. “We intercept at the dock. Plant the explosives on the shipment. When it hits open waters, it goes up in flames.”
Sebastian grins. “So they can’t salvage a damn thing.”
I smile. “Exactly.”
My father nods slowly, and the evil smile appears. “Smart.”
My uncle leans back, tapping his fingers against the table. “And Liam?”
I smirk. “He’ll be too busy cleaning up the mess to come for us.” I pause. “For now.”
My father studies me for a long time. Then he speaks. “Good.” I feel the weight in my chest settle, knowing my father is agreeing with me,
“They turned our wedding into a battlefield. I’ll make sure they’re buried in the ashes.”
Chapter 15
Massimo
The Irish shipment burned just like we had planned. Nothing went wrong, it was almost like my mother was watching over us to make sure the bastards knew they fucked with the wrong family.
One week, and nothing from the Irish. No retaliation. No whispers. Just silence. But silence in our world is never peace; it’s a loaded gun waiting to fire.
I’ve felt her presence in the house, seen the way she watches me with quiet eyes, waiting for something. But I have nothing to give her. Every breath tastes like punishment. She’s gone, and I wake up remembering why my mother isn’t here.
Today is my mother’s funeral. I wear black, a pair of sunglasses shielding me from the world. Shielding my grief, my rage, my guilt.
I stand apart from the others as the last of the dirt is thrown over her grave. My father, my siblings, my uncles, they all turn away, murmuring their final goodbyes. But I stay where I am.
I wait for them all to be far away before I speak “I’m sorry.” My voice is low, hoarse. “I should have protected you. Should have seen it coming.” The wind shifts. The leaves rustle, whispering things I can’t understand. “I don’t know if you canhear me,” I continue, my jaw clenching, “but I promise you, they will pay.” I let out a slow, shaky breath, tilting my head back toward the sky. “You told me once that life is a game of power, that I’d have to make impossible choices.” My throat tightens. “You were right.” I remember every single word my mother said to me, now I wonder if the words she spoke were to get me ready for today.
Did she know her time was going to be up sooner than ours and she was preparing me with her words.
I close my eyes for a long moment, breathing in the cold air. A warm hand slides into mine. I don’t have to look to know it’s Maria. I feel her every time she’s close to me.
Her fingers tighten slightly around mine, offering something neither of us can name. I let her hold me. Just for a second.
“I’m sorry, I haven’t been the husband you deserve.” I keep my eyes on my mother’s grave.
“It’s been a hard week for everyone, but no matter what, Massimo, I’m standing next to you, because our time on top of this city is coming.”
The corners of my lips curl into a smile. One week into the family and my wife is already starting to sound like one of us. I turn to her, gently lifting the cross around her neck, which her uncle gave to her the morning of the wedding and smile as I gaze into her beautiful eyes.
“We’re already on top.” Dropping the cross back against her skin, I lean down and give her a small kiss.
We’rein the family restaurant. We closed it for the day not wanting anyone here but family. The music is playing, everyone is telling stories about my mom, some make me smile, some make me miss her.
Maria has been by my side all day, with Jo as they both talk, and Sebastian being Sebastian is trying to get Jo’s attention. Even on a day like today.
