Chapter 28

Daniel

Funerals in Italy were entirely different than those in America. The number of people paying their respects was in the hundreds. Particularly for the funeral of the Don of Sicily. Businesses were closed for the day in respect. The house staff had already arranged for a huge party and feast afterwards, a celebration of life as noted in Giovanni's will. It was dangerous as fuck and not something I was interested in, but protocol could mean the perpetrator would finally be brought out in the open.

Brock flanked one side, Leonardo the other as we stood a several yards from the casket. I had my eye on Margot but was required to allow her to grieve with her guests. My soldiers were positioned in all the strategic areas, those under Leonardo's command stationed in the crowd. So far, so good on the last threat made.

And as expected, several of the Dons had arrived to provide their condolences as required by a similar Brotherhood to the one I belonged to.

"Tell me who is approaching as they head in our direction," I told Leonardo.

"That is Don Sal Frederico. He is the most brutal of the five remaining men."

I kept my hands in front of me, waiting for the aging man to approach. Unlike the members of the Brotherhood, the Dons from Italy were all in their late sixties and early seventies. While I'd heard the entire country believed new blood was in order, the ancient customs of the kind of brutality my father had invested in was something the majority of Italians no longer wanted.

I'd also learned that in this country, mafia leaders were considered celebrities, coming second only to the Pope. The few stories Leonardo had provided allowed a certain amount of insight into an entirely different realm that I found fascinating but not something I'd adhere to.

As the Don made his way, I offered him my hand as well as a nod of respect. I'd play the game at least for today. "Don Frederico. Thank you for coming."

He took a few seconds before accepting my handshake. "You have a lot to live up to, Don Thorn." His accent was heavy but his English excellent.

"Yes, I am well aware."

As he placed his other hand on top, he continued searching my eyes. "Your mentor was a very good man, fair but savage. That's what Sicily needed to keep the people in line."

"I have no intention of changing his methods."

"That is good to hear. Maria needs a strong husband. She is very… wild."

Leonardo cleared his throat, a signal to counter.

"She is the queen of the Sicilian territory, Don Frederico. As such, she deserves the respect that is owed her."

I could tell I'd won at least a single point, his eyes lighting up. "You will be good for her, son. When the grieving period has ended, I will invite you to my home."

"A gracious offer." I nodded.

"Now, I need to show my respects to your beautiful bride."

When he walked away, I shook my head. "A pussycat."

"Watch your back and don't accept any drinks from the man," Leonardo said. While he laughed, I could tell he was serious.

"Noted. Who do we have here?" The man now approaching had a scowl on his face. He couldn't be more than five foot five, which meant I towered over him.

"He is considered the most dangerous of them all. Don Domingo Giuseppe. He killed his own father to ascend to the throne."

"Did he now?"

"Yes, he did."

Domingo's gait was slow, his entourage all in dark sunglasses even though the day was cloudy. I was more amused at the pomp and circumstance than anything.

When he was within a couple of feet, he kept his silence. "Don Giuseppe, your reputation precedes you."

As he lifted his hand not for a handshake but expecting me to kiss his ever-loving ring, I resisted bursting into laughter. I merely took it, shaking his hand in the awkward position.

He was immediately incensed, cursing in Italian. The words were what I would have expected about the goddamn American fools. It was very difficult for me not to laugh. However, the ring caught my attention, the black onyx stone housing a diamond shaped ruby. I'd seen it before. But where?

"My condolences to your new family, Mr. Thorn. You will be watched."

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

Leonardo growled when the man sauntered away, but I had a feeling he had no intention of talking to Margot. Maybe it was just as well.

"Riccardo Amato. Giovanni considered him a friend."

I noticed and the man was wearing a ring as well. "Are they all wearing the same ring? I hadn't noticed it when I'd met with Giovanni."

"Yes, it's a designation for being a part of the Omerta."

Where silence was required. "Did Giovanni have one?"

"It was stolen from him two days before he left to come to America. He never wore it except when making public appearances."

Interesting. Where had I seen it?

"Don Amato."

"Don Thorn. While welcoming you to our illustrious group is in order, I must say I am sorry that it is under these circumstances. How is Maria holding up?"

Given my ability to read people easily, I could tell not one of the three knew that the young woman dressed in black wasn't the real Maria. "She is understandably distraught."

"Yes, of course. I knew her well. I will try and provide some words of comfort."

I only hoped he wouldn't figure out who she was. "Please do. I know she will be grateful."

"Congratulations on your nuptials. Maria is an amazing girl."

"Thank you, Don Amato."

He nodded to Leonardo before heading off.

I glanced toward Maria. "You should go to her in case Don Amato gets suspicious."

"Not a bad idea. That's Don Tommaso Pesci getting out of the limousine."

"And the fifth Don?"

He scanned the area. "I don't see him as of yet. He didn't get along with Giovanni at all. They sparred many times over the years. I'll be right back."

"Yes." I also scanned the area, searching for any sign of trouble.

"Interesting crowd," Brock said quietly.

"I'll say." I took a deep breath as the last man approached, still watching Don Amato talking with Margot. She seemed to be holding her own. I only hoped it stayed that way.

"Don Thorn. I do not need to tell you that there are people who do not want you here," Don Pesci stated as an opening.

"While understandable, I am the Don of Sicily now. Make no mistake about that."

He moved closer, his large frame equaling mine. I didn't flinch, which was exactly what he was hoping for. "Un leader di uomini è il più potente di tutti."

"A leader of men is the most powerful of all," I repeated. "I will take that as a compliment."

It took him a few seconds to smile, offering his hand for a shake, which I accepted. When he patted me on the arm, also giving me a nod of respect, I noticed a couple of the other Dons watching him.

"You will fit in, son. Just watch your back. There will be those daring enough to try to take away what they do not believe belongs to you."

"Totally understood, Don Pesci. Thank you for offering your support." When he walked away, his men trailing behind him, I exhaled the hot air I'd been forced to keep deep inside for far too long. The dog and pony shows weren't my favorite.

"I don't like this setup at all, Mr. T."

"I don't either, Brock. Keep an eye out on Margot. I don't want her disappearing from your sight."

"Don't worry, boss. I'll be her shadow."

"Good. Go to her now. I'm going to mingle." As if I cared to do that in the least. I took a few steps away when my phone rang, Kane's number flashing across the screen. I headed toward one of the larger trees before answering. "Did you find something?"

"Yeah. It's another one of those situations you aren't going to like. The bodies were identified, both Liam and his wife killed in the torched vehicle."

"And Ronin?"

"The body inside is not him."

What the fuck? I spun around, scanning the crowd once again. "You're certain?"

"Positive, although the ID located near the charred body was his. It would appear Ronin spared no effort to make it appear as if he'd been torched alongside his parents. But he didn't count on the fact the man he killed assassination style would have some of his teeth intact or that the bullet would be found. I ran it through our databases then one of the dudes from the Brotherhood worked with Cristiano to ensure the findings were correct. Ronin is still alive."

Jesus fucking Christ. I'd heard the family was close. So much for the concept that blood was thicker than water.

"Has he been spotted?"

"No, and some information on the lists of previous enemies came back," Kane added, the change in his tone suggesting I would be amused or pissed off.

"What did you find?"

"Some leader of an Italian mob, supposedly a former Don from Italy, appeared on it as well as a list Gabriel Giordano had. That made your brother all excited."

With the Giordanos having ties to Italy themselves, they would certainly have a firm hold on if there was a coalition of entities working together. "The name?"

"Antonio DeMarco. I'm emailing you that and a couple other connections you should take a look at."

"Good," I growled, rubbing my jaw. I didn't like being out in the open. "I also need?—"

I was cut off seconds later, the entire surrounding area suddenly becoming a blur.

There was no mistaking the sound of the ammunition from assault rifles, the heavy popping noise cutting through the air from several sides. Screams permeated the air, chaos ensuing. I didn't bother ending the call, shoving my phone into my pocket, immediately taking off running toward where I'd last seen Margot.

I pushed my way through the crowd as I grabbed my weapon, holding the Glock in both hands. She was nowhere to be seen.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Bullets whizzed by, targets hit. Sal Frederico went down hard with a bullet in his brain, his men unable to protect him. I shoved my way through the crowd, firing off a shot as a gunman aimed his weapon at Don Amato. I saved his life, and he nodded his respect as I managed to see over the two hundred people pushing and shoving their way to get out of the line of gunfire.

I finally caught sight of Margot and Brock, my soldier doing everything in his power to keep her shielded. My other men as well as the soldiers of the various Dons were picking off a few of the assassins, the fuckers easy to spot given every one of them was wearing black, including goddamn ski masks.

What the fuck did these assholes think they were doing?

I dropped and rolled, shooting a jerk in the face seconds before he could do the same to me, but I watched as Don Pesci took several bullets to the chest, the powerful shots tossing him backward from one side to the other.

Blood was everywhere, people trampled and crying for help. I raced behind a tree, realizing that Brock was trying to get Margot back to me. The moment he caught my eye, I also noticed a dark sedan pulling up, tires screeching. As several of the assassins bolted from the car, I had no doubt who they were attempting to kidnap.

My wife.

I didn't hesitate to fire off indiscriminately as I continued to race forward. Brock was doing everything in his power to keep her safe but everything drifted into slow motion, my soldier hit in the back, still trying to keep her safe. As he fell on top of her, I let off a primal scream, aiming and shooting at the fuckers running toward the fallen man.

What the fuck? We were dropping like fucking flies.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Leonardo was chasing a group down who were trying to assassinate at least one of the other Dons, firing off several rounds then turning toward me. He was as exasperated as I was.

There was no doubt they were wearing bulletproof vests. I shifted my aim, catching one of the motherfuckers in the head, the force driving him back into a speeding car. The crunching sound would have brought a smile to my face if it hadn't been for hearing her high-pitched scream as Brock was kicked several times brutally, his body tossed across the lawn by several feet.

When the assailant grabbed Margot around the waist, the huge guy easily able to lift her from the pavement, he used her as a shield, the fucking coward.

Riccardo Amato returned the earlier favor, shooting and catching the assassin holding her in the forehead. I'll be damned if his adrenaline didn't keep a firm hold, pulling her backward with him as he fell to the ground.

When I was within five yards, another one of the bastards grabbed her by the arm, prepared to toss her in the backseat of the dark SUV.

I had to give my wife, a woman who'd spent her entire life being a good girl, more than just a few ounces of credit. She pummeled the bastard in the face, managing to jerk from his hold. That gave me the opportunity I needed, firing off several shots in a row.

After that, everything became a blur. I grabbed my beautiful wife, yanking her toward me, dropping and rolling us both, still throwing my arm out ready to fire off another round.

Fortunately, I didn't need to. Two of Don Giuseppe's men terminated the rest of the bastards.

As the chaos began to die down, the stench of blood and gore remained as fresh and pungent as the hundreds of white roses covering the two caskets.

I kept the full weight of my body against hers, her soft moans and the way she clung to me heartbreaking.

And it sent a roar of rage into my system that had clamped around every concept of common sense and decency that I had left.

No one fucked with the woman I loved or my family of men, soldiers who'd risked their lives over the years to protect me.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, lifting my head so I could look into her eyes.

"Yes. I'm fine. Fine… I'm… Brock! Oh, God, no. Brock. Please, please go to him." She pushed at me.

I scanned the area as some of my other men came racing forward. "Just stay with my soldiers. Please don't defy me."

"I promise. I won't."

Leonardo bolted forward. "Jesus fucking Christ. Are you alright, Don Thorn?"

"Just Daniel. Today, I don't feel like a goddamn Don. I should have seen this coming."

"They came out of nowhere, but I think they're all dead."

"Check the goddamn area. Every fucking inch of this cemetery. Coordinate with the others, including soldiers from the other families. This was an intended hit on all of us."

"Will do."

Sirens were all around, tires screeching from every direction as guests and some of the soldiers fought to get the hell away. This had been nothing but a goddamn bloodbath.

I had the feeling the attack had everything to do with Ronin but that he had extensive help.

As we both sat up, I shook my head as I glanced toward Brock. He was unmoving.

I lunged toward the man, gingerly rolling him over. As I pressed my fingers against his neck, I was relieved to detect a pulse, but he'd already lost a lot of blood.

At least when he opened his eyes, while completely unfocused, he had enough strength to grab my wrist, snarling as if I was the enemy.

"It's okay, Brock. Just rest."

When he opened his mouth, blood and saliva oozed from both corners, his breathing little more than labored gasps. "Did I… save… her?"

"You did, my friend. You did. I owe you my life and hers. You're going to be okay."

But I wasn't certain of that. When I finally rose to my feet, I threw my arms back, letting out a guttural bellow as a promise.

If it took me until the end of time, I would hunt down the perpetrators.

Then I would spend days, weeks torturing them until there was almost nothing left.

And I would enjoy every. Single. Moment.