Page 58 of The Silence Lies

“The Verdis?” My father frowns.

“We think so. I have people gathering intel, the Ferrante brothers and Fontana have my back…”

My father nods, his earlier question answered. “Do I need to get the Elders involved?”

“No,” I reply firmly. The last thing I want is their noses poking around. I want this handled properly because I’m not so confident that they will actually lift a finger to do anything. Taking out my enemies my way is the only solution right now.

“I won’t let anything happen to her, sir.” Levi bristles beside me.

My father glances between my second in command and the bandage on my head. Thankfully, I’m wearing a suit that covers the bandage on my arm. I can only imagine how that conversation would go if he knew I had been shot at.

“The injury on my daughter’s head says otherwise, Marchese,” my father growls. “Maybe having the Elders involved will put this issue to bed.”

“If you’d rather hand your daughter’s head to them on a platter, go right ahead,” Levi snaps back. He’s no longer cool and collected like usual. Being questioned on his capabilities has definitely hit a nerve.

“Watch your tone, Marchese. I—”

“Pa,” I frown, shaking my head. “Levi couldn’t have prevented this. Someone came after us last night after the Greco wedding. We didn’t see it coming.”

My father sneers, his lip turned up in disappointment as he surveys Levi. “It is your job to expect these things. And now my daughter is sporting wounds.”

“It’s just a scratch!” My words do nothing to calm my father down. While I get where he’s coming from, he’s no longer leading the family. He needs to take a step back.

“Scratch or not, I don’t like seeing you hurt.”

My gaze drops to my feet. Guilt wracks through me and I can’t even tell why.

“None of us do, sir,” Levi answers. “We all want Donna Bianchi to remain in her position. We’ve even recruited the support of additional families to ensure her safety.”

My father crosses one leg over the other, his fingers drumming a rhythm on the armrest of his chair. “Do you have a plan?”

“Mancini is running surveillance on the Verdis. They’ve been recruiting manpower from a crew at the marina.”

“The Vultures,” I clarify.

My father shifts nervously in his chair. Nothing good has ever come from The Vultures. Anything and everything that they’re involved in is tainted. They might just be worse than La Cosa Nostra.

“You have a handle on this?” My father asks.

“Somewhat?” I shrug. “If you have any advice, I’m not too proud to ask for it.”

“I’d do what you’re already doing. Running surveillance, getting backed by other families. If push comes to shove, I would get the Elders involved, though I’m not sure what they would even do. The Verdis are a law unto themselves, clearly. Getting another gang to do their dirty work sounds like the perfect get-out clause. Blame them when the heat creeps up.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“Make sure you have a solid plan. I don’t like the idea of my little girl being involved in feuds, but I can’t blame you for wanting to retaliate.”

“It’s not retaliation, Father. I’m putting a stop to this.” I shrug, “But if a bullet lands in Luciano’s head, I won’t be sad about it.”

“All I’m saying is the chances of The Verdis planning this since the expectancy of your inauguration is high. Don’t put anything past them. And don’t underestimate them.”

I wish I could ask my father for more than this. His help would be invaluable. Unfortunately, as a retired family member, all I can gain is advice, and he knows that much as well.

My father stands, shaking Levi’s hand before turning to me. “Take care of yourself, Tesora.” He plants a kiss on my forehead. “I don’t want to see anymore of these,” he laughs, pointing at the bandage on my head.

“Ti voglio bene, Papa.”

“Ti voglio.”

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