Page 28 of Crimson Fate
Anger coils inside me, tightening its grip. “You let this happen right under your nose,” I spit out, my eyes locking onto his.
“You’re blaming me?”
“The moment anyone came to you, I should have known,” I declare. “And these rumblings about having doubt if I can hack it as head of the family started because you couldn’t keep your damn mouth shut about your concerns. What did you think would happen?”
Casaletto’s jaw clenches, a vein throbbing at his temple. “The capos respect strength.”
“Yeah? Well, maybe I should show my strength starting with you,” I snarl, my eyes wild as I glare at him.
“Don’t let this spiral out of control when it doesn’t have to be like that,” he starts. “We announce your marriage to Gia. It shows unity and brings the captains together.”
“Unity,” I scoff. “Or maybe I show them what happens when they step out of line. Perhaps it’s time for a demonstration, to remind them who sits at the head of the table.”
“Please—” Casaletto starts, but I cut him off with a sharp gesture.
“Enough.” My voice is steel. “I told you before, I will decide when the time is right to play the groom. Right now, it looks like I need to send a message.”
In the dim light, the shadows play across the concrete floor, stretching out like the long fingers of our enemies, ready to creep up and pull us under. The risk of retaliation—of hitting too hard or fast—could splinter the fragile alliances I’ve built. I know it; I’ve seen it happen before. But then there’s the other side of the coin—show weakness, and you invite chaos.
“Anthony,” I say, turning toward him. The tightness in my jaw reflects the tension wiring through every part of me. “You know I can’t tolerate another family coming in trying to stir shit up.”
“Si, and you’re right. But an attack on the Jersey family... can you really afford to ignite a war? We’ve always considered them an ally. Is this really what you want to do right after taking over as boss? The DeLuca family has been a lucrative friendship for this family. If you burn that bridge, it will affect all the capos and not just your income.” His eyes, usually so sharp, now hold a flicker of concern.
The silence stretches between us, taut like a loaded gun. Every fiber of my being knows there’s a delicate balance to maintain.
“I’ll do whatever you say,” Casaletto offers, and I’m impressed by his bending the knee.
“I’ll hold off on moving against DeLuca, but I need your help shutting this shit down,” I tell him, and the implication is clear. There are moves to make and pieces to position before the storm breaks. “Make sure everyone remembers who leads them and that they all know there will be consequences for lack of loyalty.”
“Understood.” Casaletto’s Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard. “I’ll make sure all the captains know where you stand on the DeLucas and that I stand with you.”
“Make sure you do,” I reply, hesitating before I add in a measured tone, “I appreciate you bringing this to me.” Gratitude is necessary. Trust, however, remains a currency too valuable to squander on Anthony.
“Of course.” His relief is palpable. He nods, eager to agree, but behind my flat expression, distrust coils like a viper. After all, Casaletto was the first to whisper thoughts of dissent when I took the reins. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure they listen.”
“They will,” I assure him.
“How can you be so certain?” he asks.
I let a slow smirk spread across my face and place a hand on his shoulder.
“Because if you pull the capos in line, I’ll host a dinner for them.” I pause for effect, letting the anticipation build before delivering the coup de grâce. “Where I’ll announce my engagement to Gia.”
Casaletto blinks, taken aback by the revelation, but he recovers quickly, the seasoned mafioso masking his surprise. “I won’t let you down.”
“Be sure you don’t.”
He clears his throat. “What do you want me to do if Lorenzo won’t take no for an answer?”
My gaze pins him like a butterfly to a board. “Then I guess you and the other capos will have to prove your loyalty.”
Determination hardens his jaw, and he gives a curt nod. “Understood. If they don’t back off, then we’ll make it clear to the DeLucas that they understand not to cross Vincent King again.”
“Good.” I clasp his shoulder firmly—an offer of camaraderie or perhaps a warning. The gesture holds all the weight of our shared history. He moves in for an embrace, and we exchange goodbyes.
He turns on his heel, his footsteps echoing against the cold concrete. With every step he takes away from me, a piece of the trepidation that clawed at my insides starts to recede. I watch until he exits the warehouse, swallowed by darkness. Only then do I let out my breath.
The decision to marry Gia, to announce our union in front of the capos... it’s strategic, a chess move designed to fortify my position.