Chaos reigned around me and then suddenly, everything stopped.
When I turned it was to see at least twenty dead, and Nixon staring at me like he didn’t know me at all—but maybe he never had. And wasn’t that a bitch?
He took a step forward his hand in the air. “Tex—”
“No,” I said, smirking. “Not Tex. To you?” I pointed the gun and pulled the trigger. “I’m the Cappo.”
Nixon flinched but didn’t move, as the bullet whizzed by his head hitting the man behind him—the one that had been pointing a gun directly at the back of his head.
I turned slowly, seventeen of my targets were dead, three still living, and three innocents caught in the crossfire.
“What the hell are you doing?” someone yelled.
“Sucking out the poison.” I pulled the trigger, killing the guy who’d asked the question. Two more to go.
The last two that had been with Alfonso looked at each other, then at me, they both dropped their guns and held up their hands.
“I’m your judge, your jury, your executioner,” I spat. “I own you, all of you,” I shouted, turning around so that each head of the family could see my eyes. Mo got up from the ground and calmly walked to Nixon’s side. I’d barely grazed her shoulder but it probably still burned like hell. “Do you think I wouldn’t hesitate to kill my best friends?” I nodded to Phoenix and then to Nixon. “I’m a Campisi, I am your leader, double cross me, and nothing will save you. Nothing will redeem you in my eyes. I won’t hesitate to kill you where you stand. You’re either with me or against me.”
Nixon was the first to step forward, dropping his gun onto the ground. “We’re with you.”
Chase followed, then Mil, Luca, Frank, the rest of the associates nodded their affirmation.
Tension released from my shoulders. “No more.” My voice was hoarse. “Vito Campisi is dead, his legacy dies with his men, it died with Alfonso, I stand before The Commission demanding a new era. One filled with pride, not secrets or deception. One that brings powers back to the family.” I locked eyes with Phoenix. “Instead of shame.”
The men nodded their agreement.
The two Campisi targets stood in front of me, their heads bowed. I didn’t want to kill anymore, I was already numb with guilt, anger, sadness… I had done what had to be done and I would have to live with it for the rest of my life.
Swallowing I pointed my gun at the first one. “Will you return with me as a witness, or do I end you here? Lie and it will be the last thing to cross your lips.”
“I return.” The man trembled. “With pride, I return with the Cappo di Cappo.”
Nodding, I moved the gun to the other man. He lifted his head and sneered. “Rot in—”
I pulled the trigger, just once, as he fell to the ground.
With a grimace I turned. “Anyone else?”
The room was silent. Luca was pale as he made his way towards me, it didn’t register that he was limping. With a grimace he reached for my face and kissed me on either cheek. “May God bless the new Cappi Di Cappo, may he protect our families until the end.”
The men repeated. “Until the end.”
“Amen.” Luca whispered, a single tear rolled down his face. I gripped his arms as he slumped against me. With a curse I pulled him to the floor looking for injuries.
When I ripped his jacket open, it was already too late.
Two bullets had torn into his stomach. His eyes closed.
Luca Nicolasi, boss to the second most powerful Family in Sicily had just died in my arms—after blessing me as the new leader of the five families.
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
When a boss dies, his legacy dies with him, the men… they are lost.
Phoenix
I FOUGHT TEARS as I watched the life leave Luca’s body. What had I done wrong? I’d tried to protect him, pushed him out of the way, instead I must have pushed him in the line of fire. Guilt swarmed my every thought as I tried to take a breath only to need another and another. On legs heavier than lead, I walked over to the body and slumped to my knees. The man who had been closer to me than a father, the man who had saved my life, possibly my soul, had just died.
And to mourn him showed our connection.
So I kept quiet while my insides screamed with injustice. It should have been me. Men like Luca, you never knew if they were good or bad. One minute they were spouting such wise nonsense that you had to respect them, the next moment their words were lethal.
For the last month Luca had been my only friend. The only person who saw me for me and didn’t turn away.
I’d just lost everything.
And I couldn’t even cry.
Frank wrapped his arm around me and squeezed. He knew. Frank knew. I lifted my gaze to Sergio, he’d been standing near the Abandonato family during the fight. His face was pale as he bit down hard on his lower lip.
I’d done everything right.
And someone had still died by my hand. It had been my plan after all, make them fear Tex. Luca had said to invite the Alfonso and his men as a way to make for a way to make peace with Tex, he wanted them to discuss logically what should happen and who should take the place as head of the family.
And I’d gone against that, telling Tex to do the opposite, knowing this was a situation where words wouldn’t work.
“Not your fault, son.” Frank whispered. “He trusted you, this was his plan all along.”
Tex’s eyes flashed.