There’s silence around the table. The rest of the guys turn to me. Seb and Christian wear twin expressions of surprise. Xander’s lips stretch in a smile. Massimo looks like he is taking it all in. Adrian rises to his feet and walks over to me. "I am also with you. It’s time to give peace a chance. If we can grow our business and do it without bloodshed, I am totally behind you."
"You are?"
"You bet." He holds up his hand and I fist bump him. "It couldn’t have been an easy decision to make, Capo. It took guts to go through with it. Courage that you have. And while it could just as easily come back to haunt us, I am willing to give this tactic a chance."
Adrian backs away a few steps and stands behind me. He's the quiet one, but his loyalty is unshakeable. I admit, I have taken him for granted sometimes, but it’s clear that when I need someone in my corner, Adrian will always be there.
Xander's face splits in a smile, "I am glad that Karma came along." He plants his palms on his hips, "You’ve been a changed man since you met her. Hell, sometimes I can’t even recognize you anymore, and in a good way."
I scowl, "Now,thatis definitely not a compliment, though I appreciate your sticking up for me,fratellino." I glance around at the rest of them, "You all do realize I don’t need approval from any of you to go ahead with this alliance. But given a choice, I’d rather you be behind me, than not."
Christian rises to his feet. He rounds the table and grips my shoulder, "I can’t claim to understand how it feels to know that you are about to have a child, but I get the rationale behind what you did. And in all honesty, I can say that I am for it."
Massimo raps his knuckles on the table, "Count me in,fratellone,I trust you to keep all of our interests at heart, with whatever action you take."
"And you, Seb?" I glance toward the man at the foot of the table. “As my possible successor what do you think?"
"I still wish there was another way out." He folds his arms across his chest, "I can’t, in all fairness, say that I agree with this alliance, but," he raises a shoulder, "I understand why you did it. And I hope, for all our sakes, that it works out."
So, do I.I tilt my head, "Fair enough, Seb." I narrow my gaze on him, "You still owe me information."
"Luca," he exhales a breath.
I nod, "Your time is running out to track him down."
"He’s being more elusive than I gave him credit for." Seb rubs the back of his neck. "Give me until Christmas to track him down, Capo."
"That’s—"
"A week away," he murmurs.
"Seven more days," I look down at him, "and not a minute more."