“Take a shower, Nina,” I ordered. “We’ll talk when you’re sober.”
I led her into the bathroom, turned the shower on cold and sat her down beneath it. She gasped sharply.
“We’ll be waiting downstairs. Hurry. We’ve got a lot to discuss,” I said then turned and left with Matteo at my side.
Nina’s family consisted of low soldiers. Father had chosen her for that very reason because it guaranteed he could torture her without an influential family getting in the way. Nina had nothing. “What are you going to do? I assume you won’t marry her off again?”
“No,” I said immediately. “Call Cesare and tell him to send over a couple of trustworthy men to become Nina’s new guards. I don’t want Father’s men around her.”
We headed into the kitchen, which was also deserted. Had everyone left the moment they’d found out about Father’s death? I turned on the coffee maker as I called Bardoni. He picked up immediately. “Luca, what a pleasure.”
I grimaced. “Why’s Nina all alone in the house?”
“Your father gave me orders in case of his death. The personnel weren’t supposed to work for Nina, and she’s supposed to move out of the house.”
“My father is dead. I’m Capo now. Everything belongs to me, and I decide what happens. You won’t ever give a single order without consulting with me first, understood?” I hung up, seething.
Matteo leaned beside me. “Cesare sent two men.”
I prepared coffee, trying to control my anger. Steps rang out and Nina walked in. She was pale and didn’t wear make-up. She looked younger than thirty-three in that moment, reminding me of the girl at my father’s mercy many years ago. She’d gone through hell with him, which was why I didn’t hate her as much as I should for how she’d treated us when we were only boys.
She wore a black sleeveless dress that revealed the bruises on her wrists and forearms and her ankles. She regarded Matteo and me as she often had my father then wrapped her arms around her middle. “You’ll throw me on the street, won’t you?”
I filled a cup with coffee and walked over to her. “Drink.”
She took it with shaking hands, regarding me like a beaten dog waiting for his master to punish him. Fuck. I preferred Nina’s bitchiness to this. She swallowed then looked at Matteo. “I could…maybe you…I…”
Matteo grimaced. She was offering herself to him for whatever she thought he might want with her.
“Nina,” I said firmly, and her eyes darted up to me. Father had done a marvelous job breaking her. “I’ll give you this house. Do with it whatever you want. Sell it or burn it, I don’t give a fuck.”
Her eyes grew wide. The house had a market worth of around fifteen million dollars.
“I chose two new bodyguards for you. They’ll guard you from now on. As the stepmother of the new Capo, you need protection.”
She didn’t say anything, only stared at me.
“Keep your credit card. I’ll give you ten thousand dollars per month so you can live comfortably. You are free to live your life within the confines of our rules.”
She set the cup down on the counter and took a step toward me then stopped. “What do you want in return?”
“The truth about my father’s death and for you to tell me if someone tries to conspire behind my back.”
She raised her chin. “I don’t know who killed Salvatore, but I wish I could thank them.”
I nodded. “And?”
“You know your uncles want you and your brother gone, but I don’t know anything. They don’t talk to me. I’m only a woman.”
“One last thing,” I said. Nina tensed, but her face wasn’t as submissive anymore. “Organize a splendid funeral. We want everyone to believe we’re inconsolable about Father’s demise. Spend as much money as you need.”
With that I left. There was no sense in pretending we were a family or cared about each other. I’d done what honor dictated, and now Nina wasn’t my problem anymore.
I had more than enough to do, most importantly talk to Fiore Cavallaro and make it clear that my father’s death didn’t weaken the Famiglia. I’d make sure the Famiglia got through this and emerged stronger.CHAPTER 24Nina had outdone herself. My father was buried in the most expensive mahogany casket money could buy. Everyone who mattered from the Famiglia and the Chicago Outfit gathered at the cemetery, as well as many high-ranking politicians.
They had all sought me out in the last few days, wanting to make sure the Famiglia would keep paying for their campaigns now that I was in power. The same could be said for the Captains and Underbosses, even my uncles—they’d all come to me to offer their condolences and confirm their positions. This morning I’d officially taken over as Capo, had spoken the oath in front of the Captains and Underbosses, but I knew that didn’t mean they’d all accept me without reservations.