Page 33 of Damiano De Luca (The Five Syndicates)
“What does she want in return?”
“I’ve taken care of that.”
“In exchange for what?”
In truth, I still reeled from the revelation of having a sister and the overwhelming urge to protect her. But in case Bastian didn’t know this, I planned on keeping it a secret and misdirecting him.
I considered my options. The Romano family represented the strongest syndicate family. They had more pull than every territory in America.
My head hit the headrest as I relaxed into the leather. “One day, probably soon, you’ll take over the Romano family. When you have the power, you’ll use it to bring the De Luca family back into the syndicates’ inner circle.”
Perhaps I was an asshole for taking adva
ntage of the situation. That didn’t bother me. Though it was worth mentioning that I really did want my sister safe, and I’d welcome a future where we could get to know one another… but I also wanted a future for the De Luca name I’d fought so hard to save. I had an opportunity here to get both, and I planned on taking it.
“And if I don’t take over the Romano family?”
“You will.” I turned to face him. “Your uncle is dead, and your dad and remaining uncles are approaching retirement ages. You’re next in the bloodline. Or have you forgotten that?”
His face stayed blank, but his jaw shifted a tick, and I knew I had him riled up. My specialty. “Your discretion and the Vitali discretion in exchange for a seat at the table?”
“Yes.”
“Fine.” He pulled out a pen and thick contract paper with the Romano letterhead and seal at the top. “If word gets out, this agreement will be nullified, and retribution will be sought.”
“Understood.” I watched as his pen moved across the page. “Have you heard of The Benefactor?”
I’d be lying if I said I had reached the De Luca throne on my own. I left a trail of blood, sweat, and tears. And the most important factor was also the one I never fully understood. Someone helped me from the start. An anonymous colluder. One who didn’t ask for anything in return.
I always suspected he or she was connected to the Romano territory. Hell, I’d once gotten a package from The Benefactor that I had traced to Romano territory. I’d traced everything since. It all came back to Romano territory.
“Why?” Bastian’s pen stilled, and he didn’t look up from the paper. “Are you amending the agreement?”
“No.”
He continued writing. “Then, we have nothing to discuss, De Luca.”
“Your family wanted me here.” I kicked a foot up on the mini fridge. “You may as well treat me like a guest.”
His thinly veiled irritation amused me. “I can assure you we couldn’t give two shits whether you’re here or not.”
“Oh, we have plenty to discuss, Romano. I received a handwritten invitation to Vincent’s funeral, sent from your territory. Vincent is your capo.” I nodded to the paper he held. “The letterhead and seal on the invitation was from your family.” He finally looked up at me, and I pressed on. “Last I checked, the Hamptons is your territory. This involves you, and if it doesn’t, your territory has more leaks than a used condom. Which is it, Romano? Are you involved or are you a used condom?”
“American politicians and foreign dignitaries vacation in the Hamptons. The Romano family stays out of the Hamptons as a courtesy for the work the politicians and dignitaries on our payroll do. In fact, the only mafioso in the Hamptons is…” His eye twitched, and he paused and looked down at the contract before handing it to me.
I waited for him to say something. When he didn’t, I considered pressing my luck but decided to keep the small win. Instead, I skimmed the contract, took the pen from him, and twisted the cap off the opposite end. A small blade sat at the end of the pen. Pressing it to my thumb until crimson smeared across the surface, I stamped my thumbprint onto the contract.
Syndicate agreements were always signed in blood.
The people of the world having once been deceived, suspect deceit in truth itself.
Hitopadesa
Most mafiosos anticipated the roundtable discussions after the passing of a high-ranking syndicate member. They represented a shift, an opportunity to gain leverage or lose it. It was my job as the Vitali representative to assure that no war broke out as four syndicates attempted to take advantage of the bereaved syndicate in their period of grief.
I suspected this wouldn’t be difficult given the reverence Vincent Romano had garnered, but I wondered how the syndicate representatives would take my presence. Traditionally, the Vitali head—Papà—would lead these meetings. Since he couldn’t step foot in New York without breaking his agreement with Maman and she couldn’t come without risking the secrecy of her relationship with Vince, the five syndicates were stuck with me.
Lucky all of us.
