Page 101 of Jordan

Elio nods, while I don’t respond at all. Though, I do agree.

It’s been a few weeks since the Canvanis sent their dogs after me and my guys. And they did the same with my brothers about a week later.

They’re trying to prove a point.

The only point that’s going to be proven is they’re fucking with the wrong family. We have to be smart about this.

Elio has tried speaking to Maximo and Connor about this, but neither wants to be involved. I guess I can’t blame them. There’s nothing in the treaty about this shit, and the only person who can handle anything to do with the treaty is Papa. Though I was sure Maximo would be on our side after Canvani’s rogue men fucked with him. Seems Maximo believes the men truly were rogue, and because he can’t prove otherwise, that’s how it’s staying.

“What do you have to show us?” I ask Elio.

He picks up his phone, unlocks it, and clicks a few things. He hands it over.

There’s a text message open. The number isn’t saved in his phone and most likely a burner. There’s only one received text.

UNKNOWN: We know your secret.

“What the fuck does that mean?” Marco asks.

“Can’t be sure.”

“Well, how many secrets do you have?” I ask.

He smirks. “A lot.”

“It’s Papa, isn’t it? That’s what they’re talking about?” Marco says, looking from me to Elio.

Elio shrugs a shoulder. “It’s possible, but we won’t know until the pussy shows himself or we get more info. Which, I think will happen eventually.”

“We think this is them too?” I ask.

“Most likely,” Elio answers.

I shake my head and hand him his phone back.

“I think we need to spend a day at the manor with Papa. Hang around for a bit, see if we can coax him into a good mood.” Elio reaches for his cigarettes and lights one.

“You know his disease doesn’t work that way,” I argue. I don’t know why I have to be the bearer of bad news all the time. Why am I the only one who sees it for what it is?

“Not usually, but it’s been known to happen. There can be triggers. I’m all out of ideas here. I don’t know what else to do,” Elio says, inhaling deeply.

“What if we tell them?” Marco suggests.

“No,” Elio and I both bark

“We’ve gone over this,” I add. “If we tell them, they’re going to claim our territory. They’ll take it all because they can. It sucks, but we don’t have a choice in the matter. We need to find a way to get Papa to pass this down to us officially.”

“Can we send them a text from his phone?” Marco runs a hand over his head. I know he’s trying to be helpful but come on. What are we, five?

“That’s ridiculous, Marco,” Elio spits with a shake of his head.

“What about those AI things? They make so much shit real. We could make it seem like Papa is saying something he isn’t.”

“Now you’re just being stupid,” I say.

“Fuck AI,” Elio adds casually.

“At least I’m trying to come up with something,” Marco argues.