Page 125 of Mafia Virgin (The Kings of Italy)

Reggie snarled at Enzo, “How the fuck did you get inside?”

I spoke up. “Did you honestly think three teenage girls didn’t figure out how to sneak on and off of the property?”

“Fucking D’Agostinos,” Reggie said. “This doesn’t concern you. This is Mancini business.”

“Wrong,” Vito said. “This is soon to be my business, which means it’s D’Agostino business.”

“And it has been D’Agostino business since I made a deal with Roberto a few months ago,” Enzo clarified. “And do you know what D’Agostinos do to traitors, Reggie?”

My uncle’s face turned purple as he sputtered, “T-this business is mine every bit as much as it belongs to Roberto. He had no right to make that deal with you!”

Enzo didn’t blink. “I don’t think he would agree. Should we ask him?”

“He’s too sick. He’s not in his right mind. Besides, all the men here will follow my lead. They’ll never accept some Neapolitan piece of shit.”

“This stronzo doesn’t wish to leave here alive,” Massimo D’Agostino mumbled.

“Uncle Reggie, please,” I said. “We know you’ve been working against my father. Put down your gun and beg for his forgiveness.”

“Forgiveness? I’d rather die.”

“Don’t say that.” I clasped my hands tightly in my lap. “This doesn’t have to end badly.”

“You should listen to her,” Enzo said. “Drop your gun.”

“I was willing to kill my brother,” Reggie said to Enzo, though his eyes were still on me. “Killing my niece isn’t nearly as hard. So you will drop your guns instead.”

“Reggie!” my father’s voice barked from the doorway. “What are you doing?”

I looked at the empty space where the phone was hidden. “Papà! No!”

Reggie’s attention switched to the door—and that was all the chance Vito needed. One quick pop to the head and Reggie dropped to the ground, a bullet between his eyes. I didn’t need to check to see if he was still alive. I knew a wound like that meant instant death.

I shoved my guilt aside for now. My uncle had tried to murder my father and worked with Virga to force me into marriage. There would never be peace while he still breathed. I knew this, but I wished there had been another way.

“Go round up the others,” Enzo ordered his men. “Let’s clean house.”

“Wait,” I called as I rose to my feet. “You aren’t going to kill all of them, are you?”

Enzo holstered his gun and came over to me. One of his large hands patted my shoulder awkwardly. “You did well, Emma. The voice recording on the phone worked just as you said it would. Bravissima, bella.”

“I’m serious, Enzo. Please tell me you aren’t going to slaughter all my father’s men.”

“We must root out all the men working with Virga and your uncle. It is too dangerous to leave any of them alive. It’s how we deal with these things, Emma.”

“But not all of them are disloyal to my father.”

“That is what we are about to find out. It’s the only way I can leave you here and know you are safe. If there’s any doubt, your sister will have my balls. Besides, these are Vito’s men now. As of today, he’s taking over.”

“You are telling the men that my father is sick.”

He gave a brisk nod. “It’s the only way and your father has already agreed. Each man here will pledge loyalty to Vito. Those that refuse earn death.”

My goodness, that was harsh.

Enzo gestured toward the door. “Allora, go and see your father. No doubt he’s very worried about you.”

There’d been no choice but to tell him of Reggie’s treachery and our plan to kill his brother. My father was sad, but he understood. He told me he had a suspicion that something wasn’t right over the last few months.

---