Page 109 of The Fractured

“Sorry for the inconvenience, Dean.” It was a genuine apology. For some reason, that felt weirder than when he was planning something with an ulterior motive. “I could have someone send Lily some flowers with an apology. Maybe chocolates?”

“Uh, no, boss. It’s fine.” I pressed my lips together in an appreciative smile and faced the front. I didn’t think Mark would like flowers showing up, addressed to his daughter, from the very man he was investigating.

“Okay, then.” Antonio tapped his cane on the floor of the car — a subtle indication for Vince to start driving. “We’re in for an interesting night.”

The peristyle was a silhouette of pillars against the few yellow lights that illuminated Prospect Park at night. As we approached it, with several of Antonio’s other guys flanking us, movement behind the silhouetted pillars made me slow. Not enough to fall behind, but enough for Vince to mutter, “Keep up.”

Three figures were waiting for us under the peristyle, also flanked by several men. If it weren’t for the street lights on the nearby path, their faces would have remained in shadow. But even then, I would’ve been able to guess who they were.

Antonio’s kids, standing side by side at one end of the structure. All dressed in black and all with revenge and greed written on their faces. They weren’t happy with this meeting, and neither was I.

We took up the space opposite them, leaving plenty of room between us and the three psychopaths.

My eyes were locked on Gabriele. Anger simmered deep in my gut at his very existence.

Lily told me about how he showed up to the open house and how he attempted to speak to her despite not recognizing who she was. The knowledge of him being that close to her again made me want to curb-stomp his smug face.

It was obvious he was the reason Roxy was dead, yet he showed up to a house inspection like nothing happened — he tried to approach Lily like nothing happened. The cuts in my skin, from the car explosion, were small reminders of the lengths he would go to get revenge. Whether he killed Roxy because she had used him was debatable. Yes, she had used him, but I couldn’t imagine Gabriele being the type to get overly upset over a relationship going bad. Killing someone as a spiteful jab at his father made more sense.

I figured that’s what this meeting was about. To try and talk and find a reasonable resolution for everyone attending.

I wasn’t sure why I was there until Gabriele spoke.

“Is he our replacement, Father?” He jerked his chin at me.

Lucia, on his right, sent me a small, flirtatious wave.

I stole a glance at Antonio to find his expression indifferent. He wasn’t denying that I was a replacement, and soon a faint smirk appeared on his lips.

He was using me, flaunting me as the son he never had. It explained why none of the other fighters were invited along.

“We are here tonight to find neutral ground,” Antonio started.

Bullshit.

“And for me to remind you that what you are doing won’t be tolerated,” he added with a smug air about him.

There it is.

Beatrice smirked at her father. “What we’re doing wouldn’t be happening if you treated us like family instead of casting us aside.”

“You mean reward you with the inheritance youthinkyou deserve after the mess you created? There is a reason you were cut from the family business. You conduct your actions too loudly.” He tucked a hand into the pocket of his suit pants while he rested the other on his cane. “It brings attention that none of us need… I suggest you go back to Rome and give my love to your mother—”

Lucia bristled. “You don’t speak of her—”

“—You don’t know what you’re getting yourselves into. You have no connections; no strength in numbers like I do. You are fighting a fight you will never win,” Antonio said, disregarding Lucia.

It was true what he said. Antonio had the entire Genovese family to fall back on. He was a caporegime.

His kids were nothing but wannabe gangsters.

Unhinged wannabe gangsters.

“At least we are our own boss, Father. We answer to no one,” Beatrice smirked, crossing her arms.

“Because you have no one,” Antonio responded.

Gabriele raised a hand to silence his sister before she could snap back, offering her a gentle smile as he stepped forward. The motion caused every bodyguard in the vicinity to shift on their feet. “We’re aware of what we’re getting ourselves into,padre. We learned from you, after all. But we also know your game isn’t as good as it once was. People are leaving you, your business is falling apart…” He smirked darkly. “Just look at what happened to that little whore you sent for me.”