Chapter 27

Daniel

No excuses.

There would never be a single excuse decent enough that I could ever accept taking the lives of women, children, or animals. However, bad men, those who'd sworn their allegiance to criminals of any kind were fair game.

What limited plans I'd managed to form up to this point given the details Leonardo had provided were in motion, Kane spending time on the phone making certain arrangements clandestinely. I'd learned Betty Rollins' location hadn't been compromised, the round the clock soldiers keeping a watchful eye. Leonardo had also arranged for the Learjet that had brought him and Maria here would return to collect Betty Rollins, bringing her home. Now it was just about forming another alliance with men who had no reason to trust me, using the contacts from the Brotherhood to try to determine what in God's name had happened and how someone had managed to get through the tight Rossi security, killing them just outside their well-protected home.

I'd seen pictures. The mafia kingpin and his wife had been shot multiple times, at least a dozen soldiers as well, let alone the guards who'd been killed at the clinic Maria had been secured in. Their estate was little more than a fucking graveyard at this point, fear of the unknown keeping the remaining soldiers and other employees on edge. I was beginning to think whatever game was being played had been lying in wait for months if not years, the person responsible waiting for the right time. My wedding and to whom hadn't been kept secret, which had allowed the perpetrator to form the perfect plan. For all the caution my family had exercised through the years, it had never dawned on either Constantine or me that the marriage could be used as a weapon.

What I continued to wonder was whether the infamous Death Squad had their hands in this. It stunk of the same kind of fun and games that had been played with Diego Santos only months before. The main difference was the lack of real threats tossed my way. That left me questioning whether the entire situation was all about gaining control of the Cosa Nostra and the Thorn Empire had been pulled into the dangerous situation inadvertently.

Kane stood quietly in the corner, going over the reports on the Rossi organization Leonardo had brought with him.

"Who do you think is really behind this?"

I glanced in his direction. "At this point, I have no clue, and I don't like being in this scenario as you well know. A mole in Italy, the only surviving member of the Rossi family dying. A wife who looks exactly like her, which places Margot's life in significant danger."

"The Italian Stallion hasn't located the mole yet?"

"Not yet. However, Leonardo insists it's only a matter of time."

"Time it seems that is threatening to suffocate all of us."

"You have a way with words, Kane. Have you sent the list of possible enemies Leonardo provided to Constantine to check out?"

"I was just getting ready to do that. I glanced over the list and nothing rang a bell."

"Well, between the contacts Constantine has developed and those of the Brotherhood, if there's a single connection, it will be found."

"Have you looked at it yet?"

"I haven't had time. I will on the plane or when we get there. I also need to get up to speed on the Rossi Empire since according to the contract, I am now solely responsible for the operations."

"What about the real Maria?"

I took a deep breath. "Without having seen the will, which I understand was recently changed, I won't know. Whatever was left for their daughter, she will be well taken care of until…"

"Is she really dying?" he asked.

"Unless the medical reports were falsified, she has maybe a month to live."

"And Margot's mother?"

"From what little I heard, mostly from Margot, her mother has responded favorably to the ongoing treatment."

Kane nodded. "This is an unusual experience. So what are you going to do in Italy other than provide a show of forces?"

I grinned before heading to the secure room I had installed years ago behind bookshelves in my office, pulling the correct book to be able to get to the code to open the door. "I've learned that sometimes that's all that's needed."

"You're not staying permanently. Are you?"

"Not indefinitely, but I need to ensure it appears I'm taking a second residence there. At some point that will be the case but as you can imagine, I hadn't prepared for that scenario to come so quickly." Kane had been ordered to hold down the fort in Kansas City, Brock heading out of the country with a contingency of men. He'd become the main coordination between the two brigades of soldiers. It should prove to be interesting.

"I don't mind telling you that I don't like this," he said. "The game is risky to play."

"Agreed and neither do I." Right now, the only thing I had to go on was my instinct. I had a hunch whatever I was missing would only begin slithering into the light once I learned one twisted aspect of the game after another. The best thing to do was to allow my instinct to make some of the decisions. "I want you to do something for me."

"Alright. Shoot." Kane knew me well enough to realize I was tossing things out there, refusing to accept I couldn't discover the answers. He'd called me a dog to a bone where my brother and father had said I was too nice.

Today, I would be a German shepherd mixed with a pit bull. I almost laughed at the thought. "I want absolute proof the people who died in that car are Liam, his wife, and Ronin."

"You saw Liam's face. That was him."

"Yeah, well, there is something significant we're missing and I'm determined to find it."

"What else, El Jefe?" he teased.

I lifted my middle finger on purpose. "I also have a list of people who've found it difficult to interact with the Thorn family over the years. This goes way back to when my father was in charge. I think it's time to put that list through the same level of scrutiny as the one provided by Leonardo."

"How many are we talking?"

While Kane had been with the family for years, he certainly didn't have the knowledge of how many changes had gone into effect in two decades, the shift to more legitimate aspects of business cutting the percentage of those wanting to carve their initials in my skin, but they were still around. Just because it wasn't apparent some corporate moguls crossed the invisible line between right and wrong didn't mean they weren't just as dangerous. However, this had all the indications of being revenge based. The level of surprise as well as the increasing brutality were just two pieces of evidence that made me certain.

"Maybe eighty-five."

"Jesus Christ. You don't want me getting any sleep. Do you?"

I laughed. "Not if I'm going to be awake for days at a time."

"One of our computer experts might come in handy."

It was good to employ people who'd been in a couple dozen former professions. In this day and age, computers were a mainstay, which meant both security as well as hacking were high-paying positions within the firm. "Excellent idea. Keep me informed."

"I better get to work." He backed away and I swung open the door, heading into the small room, grabbing a couple of bags.

I stood in front of my weapons closet, packing several duffles with ammunition and a couple dozen rifles and handguns.

"You'll never get those through security at the airports."

Hearing Margot's voice had the same effect as always, bringing a smile to my face and tightening my balls. In the last two hours, everything I'd believed in had changed. While I was still married, the different scenario brought its own set of challenges. So did the horrible way we'd both been forced to learn the truth.

I laughed softly as I turned to face her. While still pensive, I'd seen such relief on her face when I'd made the decision to care for the real Maria. I'd looked at her medical reports, had talked with the doctor I'd known for years. He was sending a team to examine her, trying to determine the best course of action.

What the girl had endured in a short period of time was as horrific as the cancer eating away at Margot's mother. Now that I knew the complete story, I was at least better equipped to handle what might come when arriving in Italy.

There were already contingencies being set in place, Leonardo convincing me that he needed to return with us to coordinate efforts with the remaining army of Rossi soldiers. There was only one thing left that troubled the fuck out of me.

Who the person was behind the cloak of darkness.

"Well, I guess it's a good thing that our family has a private plane."

"Of course you do," she said as she walked closer. "Perks of being rich?"

I zipped the duffles, enjoying the way she had her hip cocked, the smile on her face far too seductive since we were leaving in less than thirty minutes for the airport. "Perks of being in a billion-dollar business. Plus, owning one is a time saver."

"And you get to avoid certain levels of security."

"That too."

She walked closer, studying the room, shuddering visibly. "What if this all goes terribly wrong?"

"We'll get through it. That much I promise you."

"Maria looks so much worse."

"She'll be in good hands, Margot. I promise you that as well."

"Thank you."

I pulled her against me, pressing her face into my shoulder as I rubbed her hair. She had no idea how concerned I was. Taking over an empire was never easy, especially in another country. But this… this was nothing but a death wish.

Hours had passed. Hours of worrying and becoming more infuriated by the set of circumstances.

Fortunately, Margot had remained asleep even as the plane descended, her long dark hair splayed across my chest. Sleeping by our feet had been Zorro. She'd refused to leave him at home, determined to have him by her side no matter the dire circumstances. The time difference of seven hours, combined with an equally long flight time, meant by the time we'd arrived, it was already late afternoon the next day in Sicily, the loss of time not helping in locating the fucker responsible. I'd yet to sleep, doing nothing but going over financials and other documentation as provided by Leonardo.

I'd been in constant contact with Constantine as well, although neither he nor any member of the Brotherhood had heard much other than the fact there was chatter on the dark web and among certain trusted allies that the attack on the Rossis had been planned for some time. Given Giovanni had been openly threatened, he'd done everything in his power to take steps to protect both his daughter and his empire.

I couldn't blame him for what he'd done, although I remained irritated I'd been kept in the dark. There were so many answers needed, so much to sort through.

One thing I knew for certain, no one was going to destroy the odd family that had been dropped into my life.

I was uncomfortable as hell in the surroundings but had to remain in a power position including with my emotions. I'd had my men go over the security system as well as the tapes. A block of time was missing, their arrival noticed on the cameras attached to the massive iron gates then nothing until the next shot of the family already slain.

That added credence to the fact a mole had been in their employ, a trusted individual who'd worked directly with the family.

The attack had taken less than five minutes, two of their household staff almost dying in the process. The ugliness had continued with their deaths being splashed all over the news and the internet. I tossed my iPad on the desk, remaining tense and stiff from both the flight as well as the fact I was inside another man's home.

At least Margot had taken my advice, heading to rest for another few hours.

I'd taken the time to talk with a significant portion of the men who'd worked alongside Giovanni, many of them for years. While some remained wary, I could tell a good portion were also eager for direction as well as payback.

That I intended on providing.

While there were no lingering signs of the tragedy, the bodies already being processed for the various funerals to be held, the surviving house staff remained nervous. There was little comfort I could offer them. At least they'd provided a welcome, even if most were still in shock.

I'd been more than impressed with Margot's acting abilities. Whether or not the mole had exposed the situation had yet to be determined, but she'd been accepted with ease by the house staff, several of the woman fawning over her with condolences. My lovely bride had even managed to shed a couple of tears.

However, I didn't plan on keeping the charade going for long.

The game was ongoing, our arrival marked with an entirely different kind of threat. The perpetrator was now threatening to bring to light the true identity of the woman I'd married in a horrific exposé. That alone could bring down the rest of the Rossi Empire. I tossed the note that had arrived, although with a few additional photographs of the real Maria with Margot onto the desk. The shit was getting out of hand. And it was sounding more like the backhanded way the Death Squad did business. What I didn't want to have happen was for the Sicilian Cosa Nostra to be taken over by another Italian syndicate.

As Brock walked in, I could tell he wasn't thrilled with having the Italians trailing after him, following his every move. They also weren't thrilled with my arrival, but they would adjust, or their employment would be terminated.

"How's the arm?" He'd refused to wear a sling since the accident.

"You know me, boss. Nothing can keep a good Marine down. The exterior is all secure. You have full operation of the cameras from the system over there." He headed toward it, his fingers flying across the keyboard of the accompanying computer.

"Good." I turned around to face him, noticing Leonardo had walked in almost immediately behind the man.

"The mole?" I asked the Italian.

"Not yet but there's a lead."

"Whatever happens, Leonardo, the man stays alive. He's our best hope of determining who's behind the attacks."

"Understood."

"I hope you do because I meant what I said earlier today. You won't like me if I'm crossed."

"I have no intention of it."

We studied each other for a few seconds before my attention was drawn by Margot walking into the room, Zorro trailing behind her.

"Am I interrupting?" she asked.

"Not at this point. Come here." As I beckoned her closer, both Brock and Leonardo watched us, Brock grinning at what he was seeing.

Margot crowded my space, peering up at me with tired and anxious eyes. She placed her hand on my heart, and it pained me how much I cared about her, especially when bringing her with me was placing her life directly on the line. She didn't deserve it. She'd told me everything, how she'd been approached, the money offered followed by the threats when she knew she couldn't go through with it. By all rights, I should erase the real Maria from this earth.

Only I couldn't do that. She was a woman and very ill. We all had our crosses to bear.

"What now? What are we going to do? This isn't my home. I feel so out of place." She tensed even more, her eyes darting back and forth.

"There's nothing we can do at this point but continue gathering information. The funeral is tomorrow. It will be our first public showing. A huge crowd is expected." Sadly, it was the perfect opportunity for the person responsible to make good on his threat.

"Really?"

Grabbing my iPad, I flipped to the internet, finding the huge story I'd found in one of the local Palermo internet rag newspapers. The photographs were reprehensible, including one showing the dead bodies littering the front entrance to the palatial estate.

"Oh, my God. That's horrible."

"It is a usual occurrence. It happens whenever a member of the Cosa Nostra falls." Leonardo had allowed me insight into the syndicates within Italy. There were five main families, all with a lockdown on the same territories they'd had for generations.

I'd directed Leonardo to be my emissary, making contact with each one of the Dons. I'd also warned him of the possibility we'd be exposed. It was a dangerous game to play but one that had to continue for now.

Very little had changed over the decades, new family members taking over. The fact the Rossi family had no further descendants, Giovanni's two brothers killed prior to either one having children had placed a significant burden on the entire regime.

If Leonardo was correct, the other four families would be none too happy an American family had been selected, although my father's background with Giovanni from years before had likely been the reason the Italian had believed trusting the Thorn family was his only option.

"What about the other families in Italy? How did they take the news?" I asked more out of curiosity than anything.

Leonardo sighed. "As you might expect."

I laughed and grabbed my whiskey, although the taste was more bitter tonight than ever before. "I'm certain by that you mean they cursed the dense American with no clue about Italian politics. Yes?"

He chuckled. "You are correct. However, they will attend the funeral then wait and see what you are planning on doing. That will be their last given respect for the Rossi family. You will have one chance to garner their respect."

"And after that they attempt to take what by contract belongs to me and my family. They will fail, Leonardo. If they dare make an attempt on anyone in this country or the United States, they will also suffer my wrath. Make certain they are well aware of that."

"You have the authority of a true Don. I already have."

Maybe I would learn to like the man after all.

"And Mrs. Thorn, you do belong here. The house suits you very well," he added.

"Thank you, Leonardo." She walked closer to him, placing her hand on his arm, which seemed to confuse him. "You're in love with her."

I hadn't picked up on that emotion in the man. I stood watching the interaction with amusement.

"I… I am not good enough for her. I am hired help." His admittance was met with a scoff from my lovely bride.

"If there's anything I've learned this crazy month, it's that it doesn't matter who you love, love truly can conquer all. If you love her, tell her. Give her a reason to fight for her life."

He studied her intently. "She will not want me."

"I've seen the look on her face when you walk into a room. She adores you as well. Call her. Tell her. Life is far too short."

"Thank you. Maybe I will. So you know, I believe you will make a wonderful queen." As he walked out, Margot exhaled.

"I'm not a queen. Just a girl hoping the boy standing in front of her can love her."

She winked after paraphrasing the movie line, which forced Brock to groan.

"I think that's my cue to leave."

He waved his hand and walked out as well. I grabbed her around the waist, placing her on the edge of my desk and forcing myself between her legs. "How are you doing?"

"Better than I thought. It's strange to be here, in a house where Maria grew up."

"We're only staying as long as absolutely necessary."

"What about in the future?"

"I don't have that answer yet, baby."

She brushed her fingers down the side of my face. "I don't know if I can continue being Maria."

"You're doing very well. We need to get through tomorrow at minimum."

"A political front. It's a shame their real daughter can't be here."

"She's safe. That's what matters. The plane with your mother will land in a few hours but there was no issue getting her on board."

She sighed. "Thank you."

I lowered my head, pressing my lips against hers. As had occurred now twice before, we were interrupted, footsteps drawing our attention. She peered over my shoulder, mouthing ‘Leonardo.'

"What is it?" I asked him, doing what I could to keep the gruff tone from my voice.

"The mole is dead. He went up in flames."

As I took a deep breath, Margot wrapped her hand around my shirt, the slight moan she issued pulling at both the need and the anger deep within.

There was an old adage that advised when you wanted to find the scope of what your enemies were capable of, arrange a funeral or a wedding. My gut was telling me the events occurring the next day would bring out the best and worst in people.

As well as shine some light on the parties involved. I grinned as I looked at my bride.

"Then I think it's time we go to war. Correction. It's past time."