Page 352 of Marcello

I kept my word to you, amore mio.

We killed every last man…

And I slaughtered the worst of them all.

Suddenly, I heard Adriano’s muffled voice shouting from the stairwell. “Dario?!”

“Down here,” I yelled.

Adriano’s feet clattered on the steps, and he paused as he took in the scene. “He’s dead?”

“Yes.”

“Then we need you back upstairs. The rest of the Camorra showed up.”

I looked back in surprise. “Cesare had more men?”

“No – I mean, the entire fuckin’ Camorra. It’s like every other clan in Naples is outside the mansion.”

My weariness disappeared, and once again I felt burning rage.

“We’ll join you in a moment,” I growled. “Go.”

Adriano nodded, then raced back up the stairs.

“Giorgio,” I said.

“Sir?” he whispered. I could hear the horror in his voice.

I held out one bloody hand as I stared down at the ruined face of Cesare Caproni. “Give me the knife.”

“But sir… he’s already dead.”

“I know. Give me the knife.”

I heard Giorgio’s footsteps on the stone…

The scrape of metal as he picked up the knife…

And then felt the handle as Giorgio placed it in my palm.

“Thank you,” I said.

Then I placed the blade against Cesare Caproni’s neck…

And began to saw.

137

Niccolo

Stone Atrium – Front of Mansion

While everyone else on our side aimed their guns, I used my number one choice of weapon:

Words.

“Welcome to the recently deceased Amato family’s compound!” I called out cheerfully. “I understand we have quite a few Camorra clans in attendance! I’d like to speak with someone in authority.”