Page 72 of Thorns of Silence

“We were busy,” I deadpanned.

“Doing what? Murdering half of Rome?” He didn’t like me. Oh well. My dandelion and I would just avoid her father once we were wed.

“Obviously not if you’re still alive, because you would sure as fuck be in the half I’d kill.”

“Okay, let’s all relax.” Amon. Always the peacekeeper. “Is everyone here?”

Marchetti nodded. “Except for Luca DiMauro. He sent Aiden Callahan in his place. And he brought his brothers.”

Ah yes, the twins. Tyran and Kyran. The wild Irish mobsters who, unlike their big brother, were reckless. Rumor had it that they tended to share more than just DNA, if you caught my drift.

It’d probably be a while before we saw Luca DiMauro, especially after his and Enrico’s fallout. It was for the best that he wasn’t here. We didn’t need war within the organization too, and both Luca and Enrico understood that.

“Okay, then let’s get started,” Amon announced. “I have to get to one of my casinos.”

Everyone in the underworld ran illegal businesses alongside their legal ones. It allowed us to launder money ourselves. And when we had too much of it to pass through, we used Luciano Vitale. Enrico Marchetti ran his fashion empire alongside his criminal one. Giovanni Agosti ran his uncle’s business in Italy and would inherit property in Sorrento and the Amalfi coast. Then there was Romero, who had Venice and the area around it. DiMauro had Sicilian territory, and I had Trieste and its surrounding area. Amon, due to his illegitimacy, couldn't inherit any territory but he’d always rule alongside me.

My gaze caught on Konstantin as we all placed our weapons in the basket by the door. There were no firearms beyond the entrance area. Although, I suspected we all kept some kind of weapon on us. I had my knife. Amon had a blade on him too.

Once we entered the main area, we got seated.

I almost expected a drum roll somewhere in the background.

“The latest issue we’re dealing with is Sofia Volkov,” Marchetti announced, kicking off discussions. “Rumor is that she has a list of illegitimate children of powerful men of the underworld in her possession. Some of whom are seated at this table today.”

“Someone’s been getting freaky outside of marriage?” Tyran deadpanned, his eyes traveling around the table.

I snickered while Aiden shot his younger brother a look that could kill.

“I’m pretty sure every married man that has sat at this table has had infidelity issues to speak of. We all know my father did.” I turned my attention to Romero. “You’re currently the only old man, although a widower, sitting here, so tell us, Romero, do you have any illegitimate children roaming this world?”

His face turned red, his hands curling into fists on top of the table. It was clear he’d love to punch me.

“Besides the illegitimate children,” Konstantin cut in, “Sofia Volkov claims to know the identity of every member of the Omertà. So instead of bickering, we need to find a way to eliminate the woman.”

Except Sofia Volkov had always been difficult to catch. She was as slippery as an eel.

“So what’s the plan? Do we even have one?”

“We have Amon’s connection to the Yakuza,” Konstantin deadpanned. His gaze shifted to Amon who was seated next to me. “Do we know if and when she’ll meet with your cousin?”

“No.” Amon wasn’t usually talkative. He had been even less so since his breakup with Reina.

After much back-and-forth, we finally wrapped up our meeting. And surprise, surprise, we didn’t accomplish anything apart from having me sworn in as head of family.

Romero stopped me on my way out, and I groaned inwardly.

“Dante, have you settled your father’s affairs?”

“We’re still going through it all.”

He nodded. “I need a word when you’re ready.”

I shared a fleeting glance with my brother before replying. “Okay, I’ll be in touch.”

In a million years, I couldn’t have even fathomed the subject.

TWENTY-NINE