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Dad spins the phone around to show me the message.
If you want to live to see your heir, come to the fort at six tonight. Come alone or else.
There’s no way I’m letting Dad go to the fort tonight, let alone by himself.
“You’re not going. I’m going to put an end to this once and for all.”
“This is a risky plan, Joseph. Alexandra isn’t going to be with him and you know it. There’s a reason he wants to meet alone at the fort, and I should be the one to find out why.”
“We all know why. He’s going to kill you. He’s been trying to kill you, and he isn’t going to stop just because Alexandra is pregnant with my child. If anything, he will want to kill her and the baby to put an end to our family line.”
My hand slams down on the table, causing our forks to clang against the glass plates.
Dad’s voice is much calmer than mine. “That’s exactly why I need to be the one to go to the fort. He wantsmethere. You can assemble a team and go get Alexandra tonight.”
“And just let you walk to your death? Over my dead fucking body, will that happen.”
“Alexandra and your baby need you.”
“And thefamilyneeds you. I know I’ll take over one day when you retire, but that day isnottomorrow. And it sure as fuck isn’t going to be because you died.”
I have to clench my jaw and gnash my teeth to keep from telling Dad what I really think of his decision-making skills right now. He’s not thinking clearly. He’s not thinking about the future.
“You are more than capable of running things. Sure, it might be harder on you when you have away games, but that’s why you will have a right-hand man.”
“Look, Dad, I don’t want to argue. I respect the hell out of you, but how could I live with myself if something happened to you at the fort? How will Franny react to losing both parents so close together?”
Dad closes his eyes for a moment. “I want you to bring a tracking device in case Giuseppe has other plans in mind. I’ll have Alvin pull it up on the television, and we will track you the entire time until you are back home.”
I nod. “That’s a reasonable request that I can comply with.”
“I’ll call Alvin and see if he can come over. You can grab a tracker out of the security room and message your sister and let her know you are going to meet Giuseppe.”
I start to protest, but Dad holds up his hand. “She’s probably worried she can’t find Alexandra. The least you can do is let your sister know Rossi has Alexandra.”
I pull out my phone and send a quick message to Francesca.
Dad wants me to let you know I’m going to the fort to meet up with Giuseppe. He also has Alexandra at his house.
She immediately replies.
Are you a fucking idiot? Please tell me you aren’t serious. Don’t go to the fort. That’s where he brings men to die.
Giuseppe wants Dad to come. I volunteered to go in his place. It’s better this way. I’m bringing a tracker, so all is well.
Don’t do this, Joey. Don’t go. Let’s think of another plan.
I can hear the desperation in her voice.
Bring Rhett over to the house. You can watch my every move on the television and keep Dad company. I’ll have my guns.
I tuck my phone into my pocket and head to the other side of the house where the security wing is. Grabbing two of the trackers, I tuck one into my sock and one into my pocket.
If, for some reason, Giuseppe gets ahold of me and searches my belongings, they will find the one tracker in my pocket and not look for a second one.
I make my way to the living room where Dad is talking to Alvin on the phone and trying to get the television input changed.
My phone chimes with a message.