Chapter 29

Daniel

Hours had passed but I remained in the same blood-soaked clothes as did Margot, both of us refusing to leave the hospital where Brock had been taken. His injuries were considered life threatening and there was a distinct possibility he'd be paralyzed from the waist down given a lodged bullet. As he was currently in surgery, that left several of my soldiers, Leonardo as well as a half dozen of his men in the waiting room we'd commandeered the moment we'd arrived.

Daylight had turned into night, my baby still shaking. But she hadn't cried, complained, or asked to leave. Quite the opposite. She'd gone to the cafeteria, bringing back food and drinks for the men until it had closed, using the vending machines afterwards to make certain the soldiers who'd done everything to protect her had nourishment as a way of thanks.

I couldn't seem to take my eyes off her and had refused to talk business, other than contacting Constantine and taking his return call. He was on his way with several of his men, being picked up by his buddy Gabriel. Phoenix was also on his way as was Sabatino.

They were determined to help me find the fucking bastards behind the battle.

Battle. It had fucking been like a goddamn warzone out of Afghanistan. I could only imagine the stories Brock would tell me once again as he compared the two.

That was if he lived. I fisted my hand, smashing it into the wall out of frustration.

Leonardo walked closer, raking his hand through his hair and nodding to Margot, who was currently trying to convince one of the soldiers who'd been shot in the arm to seek medical attention. She didn't know how tough a bunch we were but I adored her even more for caring. Somehow, I doubted the real Maria would act the same. I wasn't going to say that in front of Leonardo.

"She's a strong woman," he said.

"Yes, she is. A fighter. I love that about her."

"You do love her. Don't you?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I do."

"If Maria responds well to her treatment, are you going to do the right thing and marry her?" His question and the tone were a reminder of how he felt about the woman.

I patted him on the shoulder. "Nope. Margot is my wife, although I'll need to make that legal. Besides, I have it under advisement that Maria is in love with someone else."

He opened his eyes wide and acted as if I would kill him for the betrayal. "I can explain."

"No need to, Leonardo. You have proven yourself to be a worthy man. After this is over, we're going to talk about moving forward. Incidentally, from a single day of treatment, it would seem Maria is responding well. It's too early, of course, but I think you can throw in a few prayers for her recovery."

His smile was huge, his nod of respect more pronounced than I'd seen. Both of us noticed two men walking in out of the corner of our eyes.

Don Giuseppe and Don Amato, who'd survived the attack. The other two had not, their bloody remains among the number of innocent bystanders, assassins, and soldiers, including two of Leonardo's.

The Italian police had their hands full, but they knew better than to bother the families. That wasn't in their best interest.

As the two men approached, I had a sense they had business on their minds.

"The balance of Italy has been disturbed. There are those who will stop at nothing to come into my beloved homeland and destroy all we've fought to achieve. Peace. Harmony. We care for our people, Don Thorn."

"As I told you at the cemetery, Leonardo. I am acting Sicilian Don. Do not underestimate me, my family, or the brotherhood of men I'm involved with. We have no intention of allowing your beautiful family to suffer under any circumstances. Understood?" As I slowly turned my head, I was surprised by the look in his eyes.

"Today, you, Don Thorn, are my Don. You earned it and to call you anything else will be disrespectful. However, I will be honored to remain by your side if you feel that appropriate."

"More than appropriate. Call it a requirement. You are to be in on this meeting. Then we will develop a plan."

"Yes, sir."

We walked closer to the two men, both their entourages remaining close. Their men were well aware another hit would be made and it could crush not only the entire makeup of the mafia in the country, but would have the effect of crushing the economy as well. That wasn't going to happen on my watch.

"Don Thorn. You survived," Don Amato said as he grasped my hand.

"The two of you as well. Any idea from your end on who is responsible?" I asked, shaking both men's hands before glancing toward Margot who was watching me as intently as she always did.

I'd held her closely for a full hour, refusing to let her go. Oddly enough, she'd been the one to comfort me yet she remained worried about Brock. I noticed the ring on the Don's finger, the sight of it continuing to nag me.

"None at this point. I was hoping you could provide some insight," Don Giuseppe stated, studying me as intently as he'd done at the funeral.

"There is one man who faked his death, the son of an Irish syndicate that I understand migrated from Ireland. However, I don't think he was the mastermind behind the well organized and planned attack. The manpower as well as the clandestine operations needed to hit several powerful families meant this had been a study in patience for some time."

"Well said and the Irish have been attempting to come into our lives and homes for two decades. Word on the street just weeks ago was that they would make another attempt. Then all went quiet, the current leader in Ireland stating he had no intentions of attacking us." Don Amato laughed. "Not that we believed them, sending men to watch their brigades. There has been no attempt at invading our country."

"Noted," I said, thinking about everything I'd been told. It suddenly dawned on me I hadn't checked the email Kane had sent. I pulled out my phone, realizing it would soon need a charge. As I flipped through the emails, I remembered the name Kane has mentioned.

Both men also appeared uncomfortable. "We were provided notification that the beautiful young woman you presented as Maria is an actress," Don Amato said quietly, preventing anyone else around us from hearing.

I should have known. "It only came to my attention hours before coming here," I admitted freely.

The two Dons nodded, glancing toward Margot. "I am certain there are reasons?"

"Yes, Don Amato. The Rossis were fearful of threats received, attempting to keep their daughter protected."

Don Giuseppe laughed heartedly. "That sounds like something any one of us would do. We applaud both you and the woman you are with. I only hope when this has ended, we will learn the entire story."

"You will. Does the name Antonio DeMarco mean anything?"

Both Dons looked at each other.

"That's the fifth family. They are out of Northern Italy. Why?" Leonardo asked.

I waited to answer until I scrolled to the connections made. Oh, dear God. "Does he have a brother?"

"Yes, out of America. Vitali," Don Amato replied. "Now, why?"

"Rings. The rings you are wearing. Are they given to your firstborn sons?" I asked, remembering the night all those years ago, the attack on Tony DeMarco. It was the ring the would-be rapist had been wearing.

"Yes," Don Amato said. "Why?"

"Because this is about revenge." It was about the man I'd killed who'd assaulted my sister all those years before, Vitali's only son.

When I explained the situation, the two Dons knew exactly what I was telling them. The DeMarco family had plans on working with the Irish to clean house all over Italy.

"I know where to find the bastard," Don Giuseppe snarled.

"Good." I was ready, more than ready.

It was time to go hunting.

And to clean out in the only way I knew. Full elimination.

In the almost twenty-four hours that had passed, my estate had become a main headquarters for planning a coup. The only good news at this point was that the bullet lodged in Brock's back had been retrieved successfully. Now it was about time and healing.

And prayers, something I wasn't very good at.

Various members of the Brotherhood had arrived, the men eager and more than willing to help. We'd left on three private jets, a full twenty passengers per ride. There were also men on the ground heading to Antonio's private estate in Northern Italy to take out the man's infrastructure. Meanwhile, through Phoenix's connections, he'd located the very private quarters in the South of France where the bastard was currently holed up. Meanwhile, he'd sent his family to an unknown destination, but they would be found.

The flights had dropped onto a private airstrip, our arrival kept a secret through the use of additional powerful connections provided by the Brotherhood.

My beautiful bride had been told she needed to remain under lock and key so to speak until this was over, something she'd fought me over at first but knew that there was no other choice. She had a target on her back, although with the death of every assassin and the failure to kidnap her as anticipated, a hold would likely have been placed on any further attempts at least for now. Still, the Italian estate was a fucking fortress.

I sat in the back of a large SUV with Leonardo, Don Amato, and my brother, along with various soldiers in the first row of passenger seats as protection. Gabriel, Phoenix, and Sabatino were in other vehicles, one including Don Giuseppe. I couldn't wait to hear his thoughts on the Brotherhood and its members since it would seem he didn't have a love of Americans. There were ten vehicles headed toward the seaside compound, our forces easily large enough in numbers to take out what I suspected was Don DeMarco and Ronin, as well as a couple dozen of their men.

When I'd killed Tony DeMarco all those years, his death had been kept secret, but there were always those who talked for the promise of power or money. Greed was a tremendous motivator. In this case, Kane was sorting out the possibilities at home while we handled the more pertinent situation at hand.

I had other plans as well as it had dawned on me exactly how to handle being the Don of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra while continuing my hold on my part of the Thorn Empire in Kansas City. There were several things that had to come through prior to my full decision being made, but I was fairly certain it would come to pass.

"So, this Brotherhood of yours seems powerful," Don Amato said.

Constantine chucked. "It is. We are good allies, allowing peace to be kept and bloodshed light."

Don Amato nodded several times. "Then I would like to discuss with you potentially having my son join. He will be the new Don soon enough as I plan on retiring earlier than I'd intended. Life is too short."

"Then we will talk," Constantine answered. "However, you should know it's a group decision."

"Understood. But I think given Don Thorn's recent activity, and the fact he is more than capable of providing a strong sense of leadership within Sicily, that our camaraderie will bring a strong front that cannot be broken by members of this… Death Squad you mention."

The Brotherhood had determined through chatter on the dark web and informants we had all over the world that the Death Squad had provided some assistance. It was also apparent they wanted more control of Italy.

That wasn't going to happen.

While our extermination today would send a clear message, every Brotherhood member had agreed that all we were doing was putting Band-Aids on the attacks, unable to make any headway into exposing and annihilating a larger section of the organization.

That would become our primary goal in the future.

But first things first.

"No, I assure you they will not defeat us," I told the group as the driver started to slow down. I pulled out my favorite handgun, slapping in a new magazine. We had enough firepower with us to start an entire war.

A part of me hoped it wouldn't be necessary.

I was in the mood to get back to my wife, so that happy, more romantic plans could be made. My, oh, my. What had the woman done to me in such a short period of time?

It was nearing dark, which allowed us shadowed cover. One of Gabriel's computer experts had developed a very special program I was eager to see in action. When the laser pointer was shone in close proximity to the dozen security cameras we knew existed around the estate, all would be placed in a static position, providing a frozen picture that until daylight would be undetectable. That would allow us to have the element of surprise we needed.

Meanwhile, the various sharpshooters in the group would take out the entire fleet of enemy soldiers silently. It was a failproof plan.

As long as the intel we'd received on the two men's whereabouts and the level of security they had were correct. If not, then we could be screwed.

Gabriel got out with his handheld device, pointing it at the camera located on the outside wall surrounding the empire. I had to have faith in the various techniques and special toys we'd all amassed, even though it was difficult.

When Gabriel walked back, he nodded once, which sent the sharpshooters to their perches.

The rest of us climbed out and I immediately glanced at the full moon. The other thing we were poised to do was cut the power entirely if necessary, but I wanted to see their faces upon our arrival. That would help gauge whether or not either one of them had any level of remorse in their systems.

Grinning, I buttoned my jacket. Nah. That wasn't possible. I should know that far too well.

Constantine, Gabriel, Phoenix, and Sabatino moved close, the five of us standing together like a force to be reckoned with. We were joined within seconds by Don Amato and Don Giuseppe. It hadn't dawned on me how dangerous our position was. With a single bomb or enemy sharpshooters, the seven of us could be easily taken out, which would initiate chaos in several regimes.

Maybe we had balls the size of cantaloupes. Whatever the case, we were too far into the operation to stop now.

"This is it," Constantine stated. There was no trepidation in his voice, just the certainty that in a couple of hours, this would all be past and we'd be drinking martinis on the three jets while returning home.

Home.

It was also the first time I realized that I'd been living in a space, a building with walls and a roof, but no love. Until Margot had entered my life. Sweet. Spunky. Wild. Margot. No royal bloodline as my father had hoped. No connection to the elite politicians encompassing my mother's family as she'd hoped. Just a girl looking for a boy to love her.

And I was totally down for that.

"Yep. I'm eager," I told them all, allowing the glow of the full moon to highlight a nod of respect to the men flanking my side, prepared to die if necessary. I had to thank the Brotherhood for showing me that alliances could be useful. This certainly wouldn't have occurred just a decade before. Our powerful fathers would never have considered working with another syndicate under any circumstances.

I was proud of Constantine for putting the Brotherhood together. I couldn't remember the last time I'd told him that either. Maybe after this was over I would.

When the leader of the sharpshooters returned, the very man Brock had suggested for the job, giving a nod that the army of men had been taken out, we all took a deep breath.

"Let's get this over with," Sabatino suggested.

"Agreed. I have a tall scotch with my name on it," Phoenix added.

I did so like the Greek's love of liquor. I laughed softly, taking the lead through the gates, walking slowly but with purpose to my step down the long aggregate sidewalk. The ocean waters crashing against the rocky cliff was a sweet sound as we approached. I glanced up at the camera over the entrance, knowing that if they hadn't been deactivated, there would be immediate gunfire as soon as I kicked in the door.

With my Glock in both hands, I took a deep breath, allowing a moment of silence as I thought about Margot, one image after another slipping through my mind. Goddamn, the woman was sexy as fuck. I couldn't wait to get home and ravage every inch of her body.

"Gentlemen. If I don't get a chance to say it later, thank you for your assistance and now, let's take out these assholes."

With that, I kicked in the massive door, enjoying the sound of splintering wood. Soldiers piled in behind us, a dozen racing up the stairs to the second floor, the others spilling into the downstairs rooms.

We casually walked in, flipping on several lights just because. I even had a chance to admire some of DeMarco's art on the walls. Very colorful. Maybe it was time I did a little shopping. No, I'd have Margot handle it for me. After all, it was going to be her house.

Wait a minute. What if she didn't agree to marry me for real this time?

Shit. I'd need to get her something special on the way back, including a diamond ring. No, diamonds and rubies. And roses. A dozen. No, two dozen. Oh, fuck. Why not four dozen? She was more than worth it.

And a diamond necklace to match. She'd hated the one I'd purchased for our first meeting, refusing to wear it. It was because I'd purchased it for someone she wasn't. This time, it had to be very personal, suiting the woman I loved. That ought to do it. If it didn't? Well, then I'd need to hogtie her in my bedroom until a wedding could be arranged.

I grinned from my wild and wicked thoughts as the lead sharpshooter returned, giving me a nod that they'd been found.

While I'd normally instruct the men to rest up because I'd spent time improving my interrogation skills, I was far too hungry to taste my baby as if for the first time. Besides, the goddamn flight had taken far too long. I strolled into the room, the two men now on their feet. They both continued to hold cigars in their hands, Ronin looking smug before he took a sip of what appeared to be cognac.

Maybe a glass of that would be a fine ending to the evening. "Good evening, gentlemen. It would seem you wanted to see us. Allow me to introduce the players."

And so I did, taking my time providing accolades of the brethren remaining by my side. As expected, neither Ronin nor Antonio seemed impressed. Well, too bad for them.

"It would seem we have a little issue with the two of you working together to try and eliminate the various Dons of the Italian Cosa Nostra as well as moi, which likely put a little cog into your wheel for a short period of time. Then you decided it was the perfect time, DeMarco, to avenge your nephew's death from all those years ago. Now, keep in mind, we're well aware you're nothing but puppets to members of the Death Squad, who've been on our radar for a long time. They're next."

"You bastard," Antonio said. "You will die for what you did to my nephew."

And there it was—confirmation.

I headed toward the cigar box, pulling out the remaining smokes, offering them to my illustrious colleagues. After they'd accepted the gesture, I snipped the end of mine, tossing the cutter to Constantine first before lighting up the end.

"Oh, and so you know, your threat of exposing my fake marriage to the press has been thwarted."

"Incidentally, I heard Kane found the weak link," my brother said.

"And?" I asked, knowing my lieutenant was likely having a good time with his job at the moment.

"Oh, the guy is singing the blues and will be for a few more hours," Constantine chortled.

"He's a good man," I said. After several puffs, I walked closer, eyeing Ronin first then Antonio.

"So, Tony was named after you?"

"You bastard," Antonio said, his Italian accent heavy. "You killed my nephew in cold blood. It took years to find out it was you." Did he think repeating his claim would force me to feel guilt? Please.

"Ah, well, do you have any idea why I did?" I asked casually.

"It doesn't matter."

I slammed my fist against the desk, sending a couple of items to the floor. "It did to me. He tried to rape my sister. Now, I don't know how it is in your world, but in my mind that's a reprehensible thing to do and not something I could tolerate. He deserved what he received."

I could see a hint of surprise in the bastard's eyes, which allowed a slight bit of satisfaction. I knew the game. That was all I'd get at this point. That was fine. I didn't need anything more grandiose. The game was finished.

At least this hand anyway.

I backed away, heading to the bar to pour that cognac. Why the hell not? As I was doing so, I heard a scuffle, turning my head to notice both Don Amato and Don Giuseppe had punched Don DeMarco in retaliation.

That's when Ronin, in his infinite stupidity, managed to pull something from the desk drawer. I recognized it immediately given my work with Brock. It was a smoke bomb.

"Get down," I shouted a second before it exploded. I shielded my eyes, moving toward the desk immediately.

The men were coughing but I could tell there was a struggle going on.

"We have… DeMarco," one of them yelled, although I couldn't tell which one. When I felt a swath of cool air, I knew exactly where Ronin had gone.

Out the back door. The fucker actually thought he could get away from me? I struggled to get to the door, the smoke stinging my eyes and burning my throat, but nothing would stop me from killing the motherfucker.

After I dropped the cigar on the damp ground, I rubbed my eyes and noticed my prey moving toward the ocean. I had no clue what he thought he could do but I was down for the chase. I jogged closer, lifting my weapon in both hands. Ronin either didn't care or didn't hear me. Either way, I had the advantage.

Oh, it would be fun to take my time slicing and dicing him but the same images of Margot, including ones of her lush and delicious naked body floated into the back of my mind. Nope. I needed her more than spending time with this fucker.

"Ronin," I said with no emotion. He stopped short, turning around to face me.

At least he wasn't sniveling like so many men in this position would do. I'd give him some credit for that. Some. Not much.

"I guess I should have finished the job I started. Huh? I'm curious. Why kill your family?"

He took a few seconds before answering. "Because my father told me that after what you did, I could never be his replacement."

Oh, wow. That was cold as fuck. "Am I supposed to say I'm sorry?"

He laughed. "Don't bother."

"O-kay. What about the Death Squad?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

As I'd expected. I took a few seconds debating what I wanted to do. Oops, darn. It was a few seconds too long. The bastard managed to pull a hidden weapon from behind his back.

Well, it looked like my consideration of having more fun had been thwarted. I fired off a couple non-life-threatening shots, which effectively pitched his body backward, the gun flying out of his hand.

Then I walked forward, cocking my head and allowing the full moon to highlight the glee I felt before firing off several rounds. There was something special, almost movie-like when a man's body was tossed back and forth, his legs still working as he stumbled backwards.

Only this time, he didn't drop like a rock, instead falling off the sharp precipice to the rocky shore below. While the kill wasn't nearly as satisfying as what Kane would have, it was decent enough.

I walked to the edge, peering over. The drop was far enough if the dozen bullets hadn't killed him, the fall certainly had.

As the other powerful leaders formed a long line on both sides of me, I took another deep breath, glancing toward the sky. They remained coughing but they were very much alive.

"Today we begin another alliance between several countries," Don Amato stated after a full minute had passed, Don Giuseppe agreeing without hesitation.

"Agreed," the others in the Brotherhood said.

"Today was a good day," I murmured, watching as the tide began to take Ronin's body out to sea.

Then I turned around.

The better day would be when I returned to the woman I loved.