Page 20 of Nicco

“You didn’t even tell me.”

“I promised father. You know how strict he was on the topic of loyalty. Remember his longtime friend Fredo Capriani? He’d known him longer than he knew us, and that didn’t stop him from ordering his death.”

“I know, but you can trust me. You could’ve told me.”

“I’m telling you now.”

“I can’t believe this. I’ve been in Chicago all this time and we have a half brother in Chicago?”

“Yes, well, he’s in Vegas right now at my Palladium penthouse.”

“Why is he here?”

I couldn’t believe he hadn’t put it together. I really was the smart brother. “He’s in father’s will, just like the rest of us.”

“Right. I wish Frankie were here, too. He needs to hear this. I want us all to be together. We have to be on the same page. Do you know what you’re going to do about the organization, the ranks?”

“What do you think I should do?”

“Nicco, honestly, I didn’t think this far ahead. I thought our father was going to stay the boss for at least another four years. Once you were appointed the boss, I figured your son Rocco would be older and the underboss.”

“You didn’t want to be the underboss?”

He shook his head no. “It goes to the first-born son. That’s Rocco.”

“My oldest son is only twenty-one. He’s not ready to be a boss. He’s never even been a capo.”

“He doesn’t have to be a capo. You can have him skip that role. You have the power to appoint whoever you want.”

“Rocco isn’t ready.”

“We can get him ready.” Cenzo assessed.

“I know my son. He’s too young. He’s too soft. He’s not ready. I need someone I can trust. Someone that will always obey my orders, no questions asked.”

Cenzo was quiet. His reluctance to step up wasn’t at all what I expected.

“Look, Nicco, I was not groomed to be an underboss. It’s not something I ever wanted. If I have to do it, I will. I will do it if you ask but— ”

“Who doesn’t want to be underboss?”

Cenzo shrugged. “Someone who never thought he would have to be.”

“I’m in charge now and I want to take the family from the old ways to a new way. Some of these old rules from Sicily are ancient and not viable in this country and in this time.”

“What does that mean?”

“Uncle Gianni is out.”

“What did that slime-ball do?”

“Nothing, as far as I know.”

“I never liked him. He was always too handsy with our Madre.”

“Our father had his younger brother as his consigliere. I want my own consilegere. I could have my younger brother as mine. Is that something you would consider? It sounds like you don’t want to be the underboss.”

“Yes, I will go wherever you need me. I just always pictured Rocco as underboss and me as Capo.”

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