His father, as if reading his mind and understanding what he was going to do, nodded, letting him make the decision that would determine the fortunes of the entire family.
“Emiliano, I demand that you adhere to the Code and challenge you toLa danza dell'acciaio.”
The younger Vittore stared at him through the camera, not understanding for a moment. But then Nico heard a voice off-camera that he recognized as Rocco's. He was explaining the challenge to his son.La danza dell’acciaio, or the Dance of Steel, was an ancient practice. It was a duel, and its practice was used to settle situations just like this one. Nico had read about it a long time ago but so far as he knew, nobody had invoked it in decades. He was obviously desperate as hell.
Nico’s father motioned for him to turn the camera to him, so Nico obliged. “If your family is to have any legitimate claim to the throne of Venice, you are obligated to adhere to the Code. If you decline the challenge, your family will be marked as cowards and cast out of the city with nothing but the clothes on your back and in disgrace.”
The phone swung around again and this time, it was Rocco’s face filling the screen. “Challenge accepted.”
The screen went black, and the call terminated. When they were alone again, his father turned to Nico and shook his head sadly.
“You know they’re going to try to fuck you over,” he said.
“I’m counting on it,” he replied. “I’ve got an idea.”
16
Acool wind blew across the parking lot as Nico got out of the car. His father walked out of the warehouse and stood beside him. He gave Nico a pat on the shoulder, a look of concern on his face. The hair on the back of Nico’s neck prickled and the knots in his belly pulled so tight, it was almost painful. He swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to ignore the sheen of nervous sweat that was making his shirt stick uncomfortably to his back.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, son,” he said.
Nico shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. It’s too late for me to back out now,” he said. “Is everything ready?”
His father nodded. “It is.”
“Good.”
A pair of headlights sliced through the darkness and a black SUV rolled to a stop beside them. As the one who issued the challenge, Nico got to choose their fighting grounds. He chose one of his family’s warehouses on the far edge of the main part of the city, well away from the center island. For some odd reason, Nico felt protective of it and wanted to keep the violence inherent in his life away from it.
Nico and his father stood side by side and watched as Emiliano and Rocco got out of their SUV. Emiliano turned and opened the back door and pulled River out of the back seat. Her hands were bound in front of her, and she was in rough shape but still carried that defiant gleam in her eye. Nico’s body tensed as he balled his hands into fists, and every muscle in his body felt like it was on fire. His father put a hand on his shoulder.
“Easy, son,” he said quietly. “You’re about to have your time. Keep your head clear and your mind sharp. Stay focused.”
Nico nodded then turned back to River. “Are you all right?”
She shrugged. “I’ve been better.”
“I’m sorry,” Nico said then turned to Emiliano, gritting his teeth. “The Code strictly forbids harming women. You know that.”
“The Code is outdated and needs to be tossed out,” Emiliano said.
“That’s not for you to say,” Aldo growled. “The families exist and prosper because we have a structure and adhere to the Code.”
“Kids today, huh?” Rocco said. “No respect for the past.”
“That’s not surprising. They say kids are a reflection of their parents and the lessons they’re raised with,” Aldo said. “Our kind survives and thrives because of the Code. Because we have structure and order.”
“Blah, blah, blah,” Emiliano mocked. “It’s well past time we had some fresh blood and some fresh ideas running things.”
“And I suppose you think you’re the ones for that job?” Nico spat.
“Of course,” Emiliano said. “We are the future.”
“I have to say, I’m shocked you know about the Dance of Steel, Nico. It’s… ancient,” Rocco said, his voice light and amused. “I had no idea this girl meant so much to you.”
“Let’s get on with this,” Nico said.
Without waiting for them to reply, Nico turned and stormed toward the warehouse. His father fell into step behind him and pitched his voice low.