Page 9 of He is Poison

Theconsigliereand his son could hardly contain their surprise, both their eyes focused on thetwo brothers.

Dino frowned andstraightened up in his chair. “Are you questioning my decision?”

Domenico feltlight-headed, but the wall behind his back gave him enough support that hewouldn’t wobble. He’d already come to terms with Vincente’s role in the family,and now was he to watch this weakling take the reins?

“No, but—” Vincente’seyes were wide open, as if he were on drugs. And Domenico knew well howVincente looked on drugs.

“There are no ‘buts’.Seth will be more than qualified after Domenico brings him up to speed. Seth’sa strong man and speaks both languages.”

“Maybe in a few years,when I finish my degree, I could…” Seth didn’t even seem to know how to finishthe sentence let alone run the business. He was already sweating like a pig.

Domenico swallowed,looking into Dino’s clear brown eyes, but there was no humor in them. Ifanything, he could see a challenge, but challenging the Don was the last thingDomenico wanted to do. He cast his gaze to the floor, to his flawless shoes,just as Dino started talking again.

“No, Seth. Whatever youwere studying, it helped you learn about Americans. That’s done. There will bemore important tasks for you now.” Dino’s gaze then pinned Domenico to thewall. “You’ll take care of Seth’s schooling.”

Seth sat in his chair asif he had just received the death sentence. With his lack of ability, that waspretty much what had happened.

Domenico’s heartgalloped as he looked up at the men, who at this moment focused their entireattention on him. He was now the barrier that had to be taken down to reach theman with a target on his back. “Of course, whatever you wish.” He bowed hishead gently, even though his mind was in turmoil. Teaching Seth anything wouldbe a waste of time. The guy didn’t have what it took. Even now, he was slouchedas if he wanted to hide not fight.

Vincente’s face became amask, all brotherly love draining from it as if it had never been there in thefirst place. “Whatever you wish,” he rasped to his father, mocking Domenico’swords.

“That’s more like it.”Dino leaned back in the chair and smiled. “Now, I believe some wine is in orderto celebrate.”

“Of course,” saidFrederico, whose gaze darted to Domenico again.

“I’ll have some of Mom’sfavorite.” Seth looked down at his own hands. “Is there anything else I need toknow?”

“Not yet.” Dino was afountain of joy, smiling and already getting up with the phone. He turnedaround to look at his own portrait on the wall, and it was enough for theanimosities to explode silently, with spiteful looks and tense shoulders.

Domenico snorted indisbelief.

The sorry excuse for aparty resembled a wake. With the Donna’s funeral the following day, peopledrank, but didn’t talk much. To say the celebration of Seth’s so-called‘success’ was quiet would be an understatement. It didn’t keep Seth frombrooding with yet another Bloody Mary in hand, even when everyone else hadgone. He sat in his mother’s favorite wicker swing and looked at the stars.Domenico couldn’t care less about Seth’s alcohol consumption if it wasn’t forthe fact that he was responsible for Seth’s safety and had to stay with him. Atleast he’d gotten a minute to himself and managed to speak to his own mother onthe phone. It looked like he wouldn’t make it home tonight.

He sat on a low stool,glancing at the sorry excuse for a future Don sitting in a woman’s swing. Atleast the bastard wasn’t drinking one of those sweet, colorful drinks with apaper umbrella.

“Are you done whining? Ineed my sleep.”

Seth looked at him as ifhe were surprised Domenico was still there. “What?”

Domenico groaned andpulled on the band in his hair, letting it down. “I need to escort you to yourroom.”

“You know nothing,” Sethburst out and downed his last drink, before making a sad attempt at standingup. “I can go myself.”

Domenico kept in a groanand got up, pulling off his open tie. He was off the clock anyway.

Seth was strugglingbecause the swing kept moving under him, but he finally managed to pull himselfup. Instead of finally going into the fucking house, he made his way to thedrinks table. Again.

“Do you want to puke onyour mother’s coffin tomorrow? Because that’s what’s gonna happen if you don’tgo to sleep soon.”

Seth looked at him butput the bottle down. “You better show some respect!Iwill be the nextDon.Iwill be your boss.”

Domenico shook his head.“If you live.”

“Is this a threat?” Sethlaughed and pushed him with the tips of his fingers.

“No, it’s a warning.”Domenico let out a sharp breath at the warm touch. He wouldn’t mind puttingthis beast of a man to sleep.

“I don’t need it.” Sethpouted and walked off, barely staying on both feet. He fell into a bush beforehe could manage to get to the patio door.