“They kept all the information about the burial site off the record, ensuring we wouldn’t be able to find out anything about it. Gunner did his homework, but yourfriendsteamed up with Harvey, and he did everything he could to make sure we were fucked.” I paused, giving him time to absorb all that information. “Harvey also promised them a better deal on all their loans, stealing them away and helping them find a better property for less money.”
“What,” Father raged as he shot to his feet. “Those bastards are turning their backs on me over something so trivial? Did they ever ask me for a better rate? Hell, I’d have been happy to negotiate after having them be such good clients. Now they’re going to see how big of a mistake this was when I ruin them instead.”
I slowly stood and gripped his arms, drawing his attention. “Look, Daddy, I know this is a slap in the face to you, but they did it because they somehow knew you were bringing me back. Did you tell Harrison anything to tip him off a few months ago? That seems to be when all this started, and Harvey felt it was the best time to strike.”
He sagged in my hold, letting out a heavy sigh. “I thought I was talking to an old friend, Astin. He’s been a dependable friend, so I thought I could trust him.”
“What did you say?” I pressed. “I need to know what damage has been done so I can fix this.”
His gaze met mine, and I could see the pain and betrayal in them. “He asked me how I was doing, and I made an off-handed comment that I’d felt better, but it was going to be fine because you were coming home soon. He must have known that’s what the party was for and lied so he wouldn’t have to be there.”
“The two of them were at the poker game last night that Jace and Luca put on. None of them knew who I was, so I used it to get to know them since they were big clients. I stepped away for a moment and overheard them talking about the situation. Most of the others were appalled at what they were doing but didn’t question it, either,” I explained. “Daddy, I think we have the beginning of a takeover starting to happen. Harvey is making moves not only on our clients but our own people. Braxton told me about how he tried to snatch up some working girls from one of our clubs.”
“How that fucking lowlife thinks he can steal from me and still live is going to be his own undoing. I’ll bring down the hammer of the Caprioni Family on him so hard they won’t know what hit them.” Father seethed, pulling away from me. “If they think Colmazio Caprioni is losing his touch, then I’ll have to show them how wrong they are.”
“Daddy, wait,” I snapped as he charged over to his desk. He paused then looked at me questioningly. “Yes, they’re coming after the Caprioni business, but it’s notyouthey are after. It’s me. I need to be the one to bring down the hammer on them. All this is happening because they think you’re sick and on the way out while I’m coming in wet behind the ears and have no clue what I’m doing. This has to come from me.”
“You want to handle this?” he challenged, crossing his arms. “For this to be your first act as underboss, it would certainly set the stage. If I let you do this, I want to be kept informed of what your plans are because I want these bastards destroyed to the point they will never be able to recover. Then I want it to be made clear that if we find others are working behind our backs with Harvey, they will meet the same fate.”
“Yes, Boss, I can do that and so much more. I want to play with them a little before breaking their necks, just so they squeal ever so nicely. You want to make an example out of them, then fine, I’ll do so and ensure no one will fucking question who did it to them,” I announced.
Daddy studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Seems I might have trained you too well. I was never one who enjoyed the violence I enacted on others. Maybe that’s why I lost my touch the second I got too sick to keep up an act.”
“That’s why you have me, Daddy,” I said with a slow smile. “I’ll gladly be the monster you set free to hunt down those who have wronged our family. Every leader needs a threat that goes bump in the night. I’ll just happen to be the best-dressed nightmare they’ve ever met.”
Daddy reached out and cupped my face, kissing me on the forehead. “Go. Do what must be done with my blessing, Astin.”
twenty-one
Knowingthechainsholdingme back were removed, I left Daddy’s room and headed down to find the others. It was almost ten, but I still felt it might be best to check the dining room first. When I entered, I found Jace, Braxton, Gunner, and Ryker. Atticus and Luca were the only two missing, but I knew I could find them easily.
“What’s the word?” Ryker asked.
I glanced at him but didn’t answer right away. Instead, my gaze was trained on Gunner slumped over, nursing a cup of coffee. “Well, golden boy, did I spank you too hard last night, or are you going to shake this off and help me get back at these fuckers?”
Gunner’s head snapped up almost as if he hadn’t realized I was in the room. “What?”
“Really? You’re going to make me repeat myself?” I questioned. “Or are you stalling for time? Don’t make me kick you out of the house again because this time, it won’t be to prove a point. Shit’s about to get real, and I need everyone on board.”
Gunner sat up straight and met my gaze. “I’m good, tell me what you need, and I’ll make it happen.”
Nodding, I looked at the other three. “What about you fellas? Ready to shake some shit up and possibly start a war?”
“Fuck yeah.” Braxton cheered, tossing a fist into the air. “Please tell me we are gonna stick it to Harvey and the other two jackasses!”
“To start with, we’ll ruin Continental Properties that Raymond and Harrison run together, then we’ll set our sights on Harvey and all those who think the Caprioni Family is just going to take this lying down. No one steals from us, and those who think we’re not the best deal in town will learn we’re theonlydeal in town,” I announced. “Meet me in the conference room in ten minutes with the others. Tell Atticus if he hasn’t gotten his eight hours, I’m sorry, but this isn’t optional.”
Knowing they would be along shortly, I headed to the conference room and let myself in. There was something cool about putting your palm on a scanner and having the power to unlock what was behind the door. Taking in the room, I headed for the records going back to when I’d read Continental Properties did their first deal with us in the information Ryker gave me last night. These files were written and read by those of the Caprioni Family only since we were the only ones to be taught the code.
I wanted to know where this friendship started and if they had really been family friends or just using my father. If I found that they’d been leading him on, I was going to make things even worse for them. It wouldn’t just be business, it would be personal. It was hard enough for anyone in our line of work to find people we could consider friends, but to have them stab you in the back like these men were was unforgivable.
“Lady Astin,” a voice called.
Turning, I found Liu standing near the conference table, looking up at me. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised he had access to this room being my father’s righthand man. “Did you need something?” I asked, turning my attention back to the binder I was looking through.
“I was hoping you and I might be able to talk,” he explained. “What happened last night was truly awful, and I don’t want that one moment to ruin everything.”
Letting out a sigh, I closed the binder and headed down the steps to the main floor. “What exactly would it ruin? My father and I have had a complex relationship for as long as I remember. Whatever is going on with Casimira isn’t my concern, no matter if she’s his secret wife or not. Jamison is a spoiled idiot who has no idea what it means to live in the real world where mommy doesn’t come save you,” I paused and met his gaze. “Then there’s you, the overly skilled aide who has been adopted into the family and is privileged to all our dirty secrets. Tell me what was there to ruin in the first place?”