Page 99 of Giovanna

Tomorrow I will ask him if he can lend me some money to set myself up far from here. I can pay him back once I have a job. I just need to leave.

Chapter Forty-Five

Sandy

The upstairs room atLa Fazendais even more crowded than usual and it isn’t doing the headache I’m currently nursing any favours. Sarah has brought in two freestanding fans to try to get the muggy air circulating, creating the perception that the room isn’t hotter than Hades’ arsehole.

For the first time, I don’t sit in the boss’ chair and I can’t deny it is strange. Elio sits on the old throne now, his sister on his right and Matteo on his left. I’m proud of them. All three of them.

But something isn’t quite right. Elio is the square peg I have been trying to ram into the round hole for over thirty years. He isn’t comfortable and he doesn’t have the respect of the men.

Dread, regret, and guilt swirl around my gut tormenting me with the question of whether I have done the right thing. Would it have been better to break a rule, ignore tradition and give the role to my eldest? Would these men have respected a woman, albeit a far more capable one, more than they do my son?

They all know by now that he froze when his fiancee was held at knifepoint in front of him. The gossip mill has well and truly digested the news that Giovanna had to step in and make the kill for him. That one incident alone makes him look weak.

The meeting begins with a blow-by-blow account of the ambush after Sarah and Tiny’s wedding.

Feet shuffle nervously and meaningful glances shoot across the table like a pinball. As we use the process of deduction to narrow down which of our enemies could be responsible for such an attack it is difficult to conclude that anyone but Stefan Rossi and the RomanoFamigliaare responsible. An uncomfortable reality for the many members of the Rossi family who are present.

“There is no proof that Stefan ordered the attack,” Baz Rossi begins, but he is cut off by Paul.

“Who here has been in contact with my son?” he demands and slowly all of the Rossis including Champ Brown raise their hands.

“He approached me,” Joseph Rossi explains at the same time as Champ says, “We spoke but I never entertained the idea of him taking over things in Sydney.”

More voices join the fray and suddenly everyone is talking over each other, making excuses and denying collusion with Stefan. Struggling to make heads or tails of what everyone is saying, I remain silent and swallow the urge to tell everyone to shut the fuck up.

“Enough,” Elio yells after Giovanna elbows him in the ribs. “Quiet, all of you.”

As the room settles and everyone turns their attention to Elio, he turns to his right and indicates for Giovanna to speak.

I can tell she is smothering irritation that he isn’t taking the chance to assert leadership, but she backs him up nonetheless.

“It’s not a crime for any of you to be in touch with Stefan. Many of you are relatives of his. But, there are some of you in this room who have bolstered him, given him confidence, by promoting him as an alternative to Elio,” she speaks calmly and with authority and holds the attention of every man in the room.

“You’re all fuckin’ lucky that you don’t have Francesca’s blood on your hands. Instead, the blood is of the hired bikie who held a knife to her throat. Let me be very clear, we - Elio - will not hesitate to cut the throat of any man at this table who took part in plotting the attack. We will find out so speak up now and die with whatever honour you have remaining,” she stares into the eyes of everyone present at least once as she speaks.

The room is silent as no one volunteers that they were involved. Eyes are cast down and I can almost hear the rapid heartbeats of the Rossi men.

“Francesca will be married to Elio in under two months,” my voice slurs slightly as I contribute to the conversation for the first time. “Elio’s heirs will be your kin. But not if Stefan succeeds in knocking off his sister. Pick a side, gentlemen. You’re either with the MarinoFamigliadefending Francesca or you’re on the side that aims to kill her.”

Confused, I examine the glass of red in my hand. It is half full and my first drink, yet my tongue feels heavy in my mouth. I toss back a glass of water and shake my head vigorously.

Elio nods at me and then Giovanna and she continues. “Anyone who still thinks that Stefan is an alternative option should get up and leave now. Get the fuck out of Sydney and do it quickly. We’ll give you twenty-four hours headstart. You know what happens when you betray theFamiglia.”

Again no one moves for several seconds until Champ breaks through the quiet. “We may be Rossis, but we are made men of the Sydney Mafia and the Marino Famligia first. My loyalty is with you.” He nods toward my three adult children.

Murmurs of agreement follow his statement and each of the other capos speak up with similar sentiments. Pledging their allegiance.

The whole charade leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I can’t keep the displeasure from my expression as I watch on, sure that at least one of these men is a liar.

My annoyance is only compounded by the discombobulation I’m feeling physically. Raising my wine glass to my mouth my hand quivers and a numbness seeps from shoulder to wrist. Before I can even register the loss of control, the glass tumbles from my hand spilling the burgundy liquid across the tablecloth.

“Dad?” Elio’s voice echoes and sounds like he is speaking to me through water.

I open my mouth to respond, but all that comes out is a garbled collection of noises. Is my mouth moving? Fear grips me. Am I dying? Is this it? I’m not ready to go yet.

Chairs scrape against the scuffed wooden floor as all three of my kids rush over to where I sit. Paul’s face is there too and even he has managed to show some emotion and concern.

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