Vincenzo jerks his chin at me. “Mateo, the floor is yours.”
Sonny takes a huge glug of his drink.
I stand and button my suit coat. “That’s a hard act to follow, is it not?”
Some of the men at the table give me sly half smiles, but the women are stone-faced. I don’t blame them. They’re picturing their sons lying in pools of blood, slaughtered like Sarita’s. She did her job well. It’s too bad for her that I already know the votes are on my side.
“Yes, I killed Horatio and his brothers.” I shrug. “Everyone saw it happen. But what I did wasn’t a random act of violence as Sarita claims. I simply acted as anyone would under our unwritten laws. You see, my friends, she hit my family first.”
Her eyes narrow.
“And as everyone here knows, acts of aggression cannot be tolerated amongst us. Isn’t that why we’re here today? You all believe I committed an out-of-hand aggression against the Manchellos. But that is not what happened at all. What I did was exact vengeance, a blood price for the blood of my parents.”
Sarita reaches for her drink and almost knocks it off the table.
“Most of you knew my parents. Tony and Ella Milani were a power couple, were they not?”
Several heads nod in agreement.
“My father was known for making hardnosed deals that benefitted all the families, and my mother was his trusted advisor. But you also know they were gunned down behind one of the Manchello shops.” I look at each head of the big families in turn. “And no one here ever brought any accusations against the Manchellos, or against anyone—” I turn to glare at Leonard Fontana. “For their deaths. You let it go, water under the bridge, because you didn’t want to rock the boat, one that was already taking on water with the loss of my parents. So, I was thrown to the wolves, left to fight for my inheritance and fend off challengers. You all watched, safe in your glass houses, while I struggled. My parents’ deaths were left unavenged.”
I look each family head in the eye one by one. “But no more. I took my vengeance the same day I took my bride. The Manchello blood I spilled will never equal what was taken from me, but I had my revenge.” I turn my gaze back to Sarita, whose face has gone a few shades lighter. “It was you, Sarita. You set my parents up. Your phone call to them that day to discuss business is what put them in that alley where—” I turn to Leonard, Carmen standing behind his chair “—Leonard Fontana shot them down.”
More family heads shift uncomfortably in their seats. I don’t think any of this information is new to them, though perhaps they assumed it would never come to light.
“So, I plotted my revenge as is our custom. I slew the Manchello boys, and I took the remaining Fontana heir as my wife. My actions have not gone beyond the bounds of a family vendetta, and this meeting should never have been called in the first place. However, Sarita believed her sins were hidden, so she sought ‘justice’ from this tribunal. I would simply state that I’ve already granted her the justice she deserves.” I ease back into my seat as murmurs erupt around the table.
Vincenzo gives me a nod, then rises. “After hearing both sides, it’s time for certain families to make their decision. You know who you are. If you wish to find for Sarita Manchello and allow her to take vengeance on Mateo Milani, simply give a thumbs up. If you wish to find for Mateo Milani and close this matter altogether, simply give a thumbs down.”
He gestures for the families to make their moves.
As we assumed, the Cavelleris and the Fontanas both give a thumbs up. The Gallianos and Tuscans both give a thumbs down. That leaves Vincenzo. His vote will decide my fate.
I’d go ahead and light a cigar, but I’d rather wait and savor the look on Sarita’s face when her claim fizzles into nothing.
Vincenzo looks at me, then lifts his hand.
When he flips his thumb up, I feel like he’s made a mistake. But when he smirks at me as the room goes into an uproar, I feel his knife in my back. It’s one I never saw coming.
But such is the nature of betrayal.
Sonny turns to me, his eyes wide, his voice a harsh whisper, “Go. Now! Fucking go!”
Before things go to shit, I’m out of my chair and heading for the door.
“Don’t let him leave!” Sarita screeches.
Franco Cavalleri tries to block my way, but a quick punch to his throat sends him toppling over and wheezing. I shove past him and yank open the door to the hall.
Red whips his head around. “What?”