“Diablo is going after the Skulls while Bianchi will go after my family.”
“Yes.”
“That’s how he is going to take us all out.”
“Yes. And when it’s done, Diablo plans on killing Bianchi, and then he will finally have it all.”
“But he won’t,” I said, looking at her. “He won’t have it all because of you.”
“What?”
“You said it yourself last night. He doesn’t know who you really are. That’s why Reaper asked me to marry you,” I whispered mainly to myself as I tried to assimilate everything she just said.
It indeed was a well-thought-out master plan.
I couldn’t have come up with something better if I had tried.
“He what?” Layla gasped.
“Reaper asked me to marry you,” I said absently as I tried to tie everything together fast. Diablo had planned for everything. He truly left nothing out. However, there was one kink in his plan. The one person who could make his life a living hell, and she was in the same room with me.
“Why would he do that?” Layla said, looked up at me, and stopped when the realization hit her. “Oh wow. Damn, Reaper is cunning. But it won’t work.”
“Why?” I asked, turning towards her.
“Because to do what you are thinking, I would have to accept and claim him as my father. Hell will freeze over before I do that. I want nothing to do with him or his fucked-up family. I won’t do it. Besides, females are not allowed to govern over a family.”
“There is always a first time for everything, and I am betting the Capribella’s would rather follow you than let Bianchi take over. With our families aligned, we would have a fighting chance at stopping Diablo and Bianchi together.”
“There is still one problem.”
“What?”
“I won’t do it!” she shouted, slamming her hand down on the table before she stormed out of the bedroom.
Watching her leave, I wanted so much to go after her. To tell her everything was going to be all right. But I couldn’t. Because even I didn’t know if we could pull this off. She wasn’t raised like I was. She didn’t know the rules or etiquette that went along with being in an influential Italian family. The rules and traditions were ingrained from birth. She couldn’t just get mad and run off. She had to learn to control her feelings and emotions. She needed to learn to become just like me.
Just thinking of changing her was abhorrent. I didn’t want her to change. I wanted her to be who she was, foul mouth and all. Yet, there was no other way to do this. And to do it, I was going to need help.
Leaving the room, I went in search of my brother Sal. I found him in the library reading, and when he looked up at me, I asked, “Who is overseeing the Capribella family at this moment?”
“Either Carmine or Dario. Why?
“Set up a meeting with them on Ischia Island. Tell them to bring five family members they trust above all the others. We will do the same. Tell them I have information on the murder of Don Victor Capribella and his daughter Giovanna Capribella and wish to convey this information in person. Ask them to meet with me at their earliest convenience. When you get a response, have the jet waiting. We are going back to Italy.”
“Gio, what is going on?”
“I am going to stop a war before it even starts,” I said, leaving my brother as I went in search of the only person who could help me do just that.
24
Giovanni
I found her walking in the small garden my mother and sister spent many days creating. It was a beautiful garden with plants and flowers that grew naturally around the island. I had spent many hours just walking around the garden myself. It was an excellent place to think and just forget about everything around me. But seeing her in all the splendor and beauty, I worried she wouldn’t be receptive to what I was about to suggest.
It was a long shot at best. But it was all I had.
I somehow needed to convince Layla to trust me and get her ready for what was to come.