Page 96 of Shattered Diamonds

“That’s a threat you shouldn’t make, boy,” an older, distinguished looking man remarks.

“Don’t ever disrespect me again by referring to me as a boy, Ricci. Boss or not, we will have an issue.”

“Gentlemen. Let’s keep this civil. You are here to show your respect to one of my men. Demetri has expressed his wishes. You will regard him and the choice he has made with the utmost respect. Anything less will not be tolerated,” Mr. Heart calmly says directing his statement to the old guy.

“And the sheets, the ones proving he took her virgin pussy?”

“You motherfucker!” Demetri lunges, my arm almost jerked from its socket before he thinks to let it go.

The room erupts. The young men who were standing around, looking bored at the discussion, now stand at attention, watching the older men in the room. Demetri rushes across the space and reaches for the guy he called Ricci. Giovanni blocks him before he gets to the old guy. He’s old-world mafia. I can see it on his weathered face.

“It’s not worth it,” Giovanni growls next to Demetri’s ear.

A hand touches my arm, warning me when I take a step towards my husband. With a sharp twist of my head, I realize it’s Luca. He’s protecting me.

“Ricci, sit down,” Mr. Heart orders with a finality that is frightening.

“Heart, you allowed this. The old-world laws are there for a reason. It was written in her contract. If her blood was shed and she is now under his power where is the proof?”

“Pop, this isn’t the old-world. Fuck if you can find a virgin anymore.”

I’m assuming it’s his son who chimes in in what seems like he is trying to diffuse the situation.

“All whores. Every single one of them,” the man spews with venom, flipping his hand in the air with force. “And this new order ruling, letting a boss change his last name to some lovesick puppy name. The Commission should be ashamed for allowing it. It’s despicable.” The man spits, showing his disgust.

My eyes widen in shock when his saliva hits Demetri’s floor.

“Pop! What the fuck?” His son jumps up and heads in his direction. “You can’t do shit like that. It’s disrespectful as fuck, Dad.”

“Fuck him.” He points his attention to Demetri who is vibrating with anger against Giovanni’s broad chest.

Demetri’s sneer is lethal. It’s a promise. Giovanni’s harsh tone tries to calm him down as he fights against him. His wound opens once again.

“You motherfucker. You just disrespected me, my wife, my home, and the Don. You just punched a hole in your death ticket to hell.”

“Boy, death can’t come quick enough. Give it your best shot. Many have tried. You are all pussies. Every man here allows a woman to rule their dick. Especially the Godfather for allowing his woman to be on the board. Women don’t belong!” He slams his hand against the arm of the chair.

Antonio lunges for the man with a deadly speed. He wraps his hand around his throat and starts choking him. I gasp in shock as I’m pulled away and forced closer to the hallway as all hell breaks loose. “That’s my mother you’re speaking of, motherfucker. Keep her name out of your mouth,” he thunders with venom.

Ricci sputters and chokes on his saliva, turning purple as Antonio chokes the life from his body. Mr. Heart grabs his son and yanks him back, demanding he let go. Giovanni lets Demetri go when Ricci’s son lunges for Antonio. It’s pure chaos until Mr. Heart pulls his gun and holds it against the old guy’s temple.

You can hear a pin drop when Mr. Heart threatens, “Disrespect my wife one more time, Ricci. Go ahead, I dare you. Say it and I will fill your brain with lead.”

“Fucking do it, Pop!” Antonio yells. “I’m sick of his shit.”

“Go ahead, Robert. Killing me is signing your own death warrant. No boss can kill another without permission from the Commission. You know the rule. It was set in the old-world order. It’s the one you all have seemed to disregard to suit your own needs.”

Mr. Heart growls through clenched teeth with a voice so chilling it gives me goosebumps. “I. Am. The fucking Commission, Ricci. You would do well to remember that just as you have about me changing the spelling of my last name to be more suitable to my calling card. Would you like to see the infamous Bobby Two Times emerge right now? I’ll pump two bullets in your heart and splatter your blood across my caporegime’s floor. Then for the fuck of it, I’ll put a bullet in your skull for being so stupid and questioning me.”

“Robert.” A guy I haven’t noticed yet steps up to Mr. Heart. He’s a large man. Unusually quiet. Very calm and very much in control when he places his hand on Mr. Heart’s shoulder and informs him, “This is not in your best interest for the organization as a whole.”

Mr. Heart stands straight, but not before roughly jamming the old guy’s temple with the butt of his gun and a sneer. He straightens his suit jacket with a jerk of anger. “Demetri will not be giving over the sheets. You will sit there quietly, or you will be dismissed from this meeting.”

“Listen, Pop. Just sit there and shut the fuck up before bullets start flying.”

“That’s right, Heart. Listen to your consigliere.” The old man stupidly taunts.

“Pop!” his son Rocco thunders, reprimanding him.

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