“Romano was unfit to serve as your capo,” I continued. “I am taking his place.”
Footsteps sounded and Aurelio pushed his way through the crowd. When he saw his father, he gave a hoarse cry and fumbled at his belt for his weapon. I lifted my gun, but Ahmed was faster. He discharged two shots into Aurelio’s head, sending him down in a heap over his father’s bloody body.
Several of the women began sobbing and whimpering in the corner. I glanced at Olivia, but her face was set, her red mouth pressed together. When I met her dark eyes, they burned. My God, I wanted to drag her into the hall and take her against the wall, to fuck all the adrenaline out of my body while she filled the mansion with her gasping cries. But that would have to wait.
“Does anyone else have any concerns about the transfer of power?” I asked, cocking my head.
Federico stepped forward. He had a calculating expression his face. “I had no great love for Romano. He violated my—someone close to me and he lost my trust then. I’ll publicly accept you as my capo.”
“You’ll be rewarded for that, you have my word,” I said.
“How can we trust you after this?” said another underboss called Amadeo, a young man who had already showed remarkable talent.
“Because I intend to lay down rules. Protections against the abuse of power from your capo. You will not have to fear imprisonment or torture or the rape of your women. What happened to me at Romano’s hand will never happen to you or your sons. I might not be a...good man, but I am reasonable. I’ll ensure you’re treated fairly.”
“You’re going to take over now, in the middle of the war with the Russians, and pull all that off?” Amadeo said, frowning.
Duran ducked his head, speaking softly into his shoulder. I knew he was calling Viktor to join us. Less than ten seconds later, the front doors creaked and I heard the heavy flurry of footfalls. Viktor turned the corner, dressed in a gray suit, with Leonid at his heels. There was another gasp and several of the underbosses and soldiers drew their weapons. I glanced at Viktor, but he kept still, his hands behind his back and his heavy eyes unreadable.
“We’re not fighting a war with Russia,” I said, raising my hands. “I’ve made peace with the Bratva. You will not send your sons to war and you don’t need to fear the kidnapping of your daughters any longer. Viktor has agreed to a truce, an alliance, between us.”
Quiet murmurs spread through the space, rising to argumentative voices. Finally Federico moved forward, his face dark and his hand tensed over his gun.
“How do we know he’ll keep his word?” he growled.
I turned, skimming my gaze over the crowd until it fell on Sienna. She stood against the far wall, her arms clasped around her body. I beckoned to her and every eye in the room pivoted, falling on her trembling body. She hesitated and then began walking toward us, her steps a little unsteady, but her shoulders back and her chin high. A rush of pride flooded me. She was an Esposito through and through.
She stopped before me and I reached out to take her hand, turning to Viktor. He studied her face for a long time. It was the first time he’d seen her up close and in person. The entire room was silent, faces creased in confusion or dismay as they realized Sienna’s fate. The men approved, I could tell, but the women were horrified.
“Sienna Esposito, it’s lovely to meet you,” Viktor said, offering her his palm.
She slipped her cold fingers in his, but kept quiet as he drew her aside. He placed his hand on her lower back protectively and she flushed at his touch, dropping her head.
“From now on, there will be a bond between Italy and Russia in our city. Their godfather will wed my cousin, marrying into the capo’s family. It’ll ensure our alliance.”
There was a long moment of silence and then Ahmed stepped out from behind me.
“I pledge myself to the new capo,” he said.
“As do I,” Amadeo said.
A ripple of surprise moved through the room and I dipped my head to Amadeo in gratitude. He studied me, his eyes boring into me, and then he nodded in response and stepped back.
“Fuck it, I do as well,” said Federico. “It can’t be any worse than it was.”
One by one, the underbosses paused before me, taking off their guns and placing them at my feet. A symbol of their allegiance. It wasn’t as if they had a choice when it came down to it. I’d killed the capo and his son and, according to our tradition, I was next in line to lead. There was no contingency for how the situation had come about.
In the far corner, I caught my father-in-law’s eye. He stood with his arms crossed, blatantly refusing to come forward and lay his gun before me. His face was red with anger and his eyes glittered as they fixed on me. I cocked my head at him, daring him to speak or make a move, but he remained still. It didn’t matter that he refused to give his allegiance because I was going to replace him with his son. He and his wife could live on the lowest social rung for what they’d done to Olivia. They were lucky I wasn’t executing them in the street.
I felt something bump up against my side and I turned to find Olivia slipping her hand beneath my elbow. Her brows scrunched together as she studied the bloodstains on my wet shirt. I bent and pressed my lips to the top of her head.
“Are you hurt?” she whispered.
“No, it’s all Romano’s blood,” I said.
I straightened and cleared my throat and the room fell silent. “Each underboss will meet with me in the coming weeks. I want to know more about your territories, what you’re dealing with, and what resources you may have been denied that you need. As of right now, go home.”
As the crowd dispersed, leaving the house empty, I pulled Duran aside. He was almost giddy that we’d pulled it off and it took me several attempts to get him to focus on my words.