“Faro says he runs things now that your dad is dead,” one man states.
“He’s misinformed. So tick-tock, boys. I need an answer now.” I tap my foot on the sidewalk, getting more annoyed by the second. They look at each other one more time before one of them tells me “Faro” and the other one answers “you”. “It’s such a shame. You could’ve been a rising star,” I tell the traitor, taking my knife from my belt buckle and stabbing him right in his carotid artery. The blood rushes out as I pull it out. He drops to his knees and his hands instinctively go to his neck. His skin pales before going gray. “Take me to the meeting.”
“Yes, ma’am,” my loyal aide says, walking with me to my Hummer. It’s an extravagant purchase, but it was one of the last things my dad bought me. “My name is Will, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Will. I won’t apologize for killing that man. You’re either with me or against me. I won’t take the disrespect. There are more changes coming. I need to know you truly understand what you’re getting by siding with me. There’s a war coming.”
“May I speak openly and honestly with you?” I nod as his eyes meet mine from the rearview mirror. “I don’t trust Faro, not just for what he did to that lady from earlier, but because he’s been sneaking around on your dad for weeks now.”
“Did you tell my dad this?”
“No. Every time I had a chance to, Faro was always there. I feel like your father’s death is my fault.” He sighs in resignation. “If you need to kill me, I understand.”
“Will, you did nothing wrong. Thank you for your honesty. I always want total honesty from my men, even if I don’t like it.” I pull out my phone and text the girls about Faro. I will deal him with tonight.
FIVE
MIRABELLA
Will pulls up nextto Faro’s SUV and opens the door for me. I smile at him. He walks ahead of me, opening the door for me. I hear voices coming from down the hall. It’s all muffled, so I can’t hear the words. We stop and I stare up at Will.
“I won’t kill you if you want to leave now. There’s going to be a lot of bloodshed tonight. I don’t know if I’ll even survive. This is a fight I’m willing to have and I’m good with dying for it.”
“I’m with you.” I nod as we walk into the room. It’s an old factory where we sort out shipments. All eyes turn to me. There are about twenty men standing with Faro, and his two bodyguards are behind him. Forty-six eyes are on me and I smile.
“Hello, boys.” I smirk as I run my French manicured fingernail over one of Faro’s bodyguard’s arm.
“What are you doing here, Mirabella? You aren’t supposed to be here.” Faro stares me down. “This has nothing to do with you.”
“Oh, but Faro, this has everything to do with me. I’m my father’s daughter. All of this is mine, not yours.” He scoffs at me. Will steps forward, but I hold my hand out toward him to stop.
“What is that?”
“Not your concern. I’m in charge.” One man in the front row chuckles at my words. I sigh before taking one of my throwing stars from my jean pockets to throw right at his Adam’s apple. He pulls it out as blood spurts out of him. “Now, if there are no more interruptions, I’d like to continue.” I gaze around the room, making sure no one opens their mouth. I smile before turning back to the man who is on the ground, gasping as blood pools around him. “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, I’m in charge. My father, my legacy. You work for me.”
“Mirabella, your father never wanted you in this life. You know this because he made sure I knew everything, and you got to a place in your restaurant.” Faro chuckles, wanting the men to follow suit, but they don’t. “Your father wouldn’t let you be in charge.”
“I don’t give a fuck what my dad wanted or not, but the new Boss in town has put me in charge. Don’t like it? Go speak to the Boss. Are you done questioning me, or can I begin?” I may be short, but I will not let a man who towers over me disrespect me, especially in front of my soldiers. I may tremble on the inside, but I don’t let anyone around me know it. Faro nods as he gets in line. The other follows him. Will stands off to the side. “Earlier tonight I gave Will, and… What was his name?”
“Steven,” Will answers.
“Steven, a choice. You are on my side or you’re not. If you will not fight alongside me as my father’s replacement, then I need to know now. There will be no consequence to your family if you choose to walk away from the Family. You have two minutes to decide. Come up here to let me know if you’re leaving.” I step back and the men look around as they’re trying to figure out my game place. I’m on my cell phone, playing the next level in my Harry Potter game, trying to get to the next storyline. There are three men standing in front of me. Two are Faro’s bodyguards, and one I remember from the cemetery. Placing my phone back in my back pocket, I step forward, sighing. “You don’t want to take orders from a woman?”
“No, ma’am. A woman can’t lead. They’re only there for cooking and breeding.” I shake my head.
“Are you really that old-school or just plain stupid? Women are CEOs, vice presidents, and now even mafia bosses. You don’t want to be a part of changing the world?” He shakes his head no. “What about you two?”
“He’s our father, and even though I don’t agree with him I also don’t want to disrespect him.” He makes eye contact with me. “I think having a female mafia boss is the coolest thing I’ve ever heard, and I want to be a part of it.”
“Step near Will.” I tell the blond man, who is probably about twenty years old. The old man is stuttering at his son. “You don’t think your son is right?”
“Kill me, but spare my children.” He stands straight, no fear in his eyes.
“I like you, I really do, and I don’t want to kill you. I think you would do great as someone in my inner circle, but you don’t want me to be your boss.” I frown. “You were loyal to my dad. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
“My loyalty was to the DeSantis Family and Faro, not to women.” I nod. I look at the sons who are next to Will.
“I’ll do it.” Will steps forward with his gun in his hand. The blond son places his hand on Will’s shoulder. He takes the gun from Will’s hand and steps in front of me, staring at his dad.