Page 97 of Single Malt Drama
Gabe’s voice rose. “Someone better start talking, starting with what the hell happened to your head.”
“One of Giancarlo’s guys clocked me. There’s no way they followed me to the cabin. I would have heard their boat. They had to have help.” I sank into my father’s chair. All four of my brothers tensed, but I wasn’t sure if their reactions had to do with what I said or where I’d sat. “I’m placing my bets on Ma.”
The color drained from Gabe’s face. “What makes you say that?”
“How can you think I had anything to do with what happened?” Our mother stood in the doorway with a heartbreaking expression.
I almost bought it, but not quite. “How did you get to the States?”
“I flew.” She glanced at the others.
Gabe said, “We had the jet.”
“There is more than one plane in the world.” She sighed and waved her hand. “I came on Delta.”
I didn’t believe her. “Perfect. Then you won’t mind showing us your boarding pass or ticket or your credit card statement.”
Dante held his hands up in a T-shape. “We had people watching the Lazios’ plane. They would have said something if Ma was there.”
“Not necessarily. Some of them are in her back pocket.” Gabe ran his hands over his head. “I’d like to see proof.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You would have me prove my words? I’m your mother.”
“I absolutely would, because you haven’t flown commercial since we were kids. Not to mention, the Lazios’ plane landed in New Orleans about the same time you showed up.” I sat back and let the fireworks begin.
“I’d like to see proof,” Enzo said. “After the bullshit you and Lazio pulled to force me to marry Nico, I wouldn’t put it past you.”
Leo nodded. “I’m sorry, Ma, but we know you’ve been undercutting Gabe’s authority for months.”
“I agree,” Dante said. “I want to see the ticket.”
“I threw the boarding passes away, but I’d be happy to show you my credit card statement. When I prove my innocence, I expect apologies from all of you.”
I reached down and hit the power button on the computer. “You can log into your account as soon as it boots up.”
Sniffling, my mother dipped her chin. “Yes, fine. You win. I came with the Lazios.”
My brothers all spoke at once, but I remained quiet.
She met my gaze. “How can you think I had anything to do with you being hurt?”
I couldn’t take anymore bullshit from her, from Nico’s family, or anyone else who felt the need to give me a hard time about my marriage. I refused to keep her secrets or sugarcoat the truth. “Because you and Pietro Lazio want me to take over as capo of the family. Giancarlo kidnapping my wife has forced my hand.”
A ghost of a smile crossed her lips.
She thinks she’s won. We’ll see how she feels in a couple of weeks.
Gabe narrowed his eyes. “You’re still playing this game after Pops and I both told you to knock it the hell off?”
Her eyes widened. “This is how you speak to your mother?”
“Save it.” He shook his head. “I, for one, am sick of the bullshit. We don’t want this life, and you’ve done everything in your power to lock us in.”
Evelyn winced. “Not all of you. Only one. The rest can walk away. Don’t you see? I did this for all of you.”
“All of us?” Gabe pointed at me. “Marco is twenty-six years old. He’s not a mobster. He’s an attorney. You’re feeding him to the wolves to save the rest of us?”
I slammed my hands on the desk, and stood. “Enough. I’ve made my decision. I will take the position as head of the family.”