expecting so when they walk in and the door closes, Massimo rises to start the meeting.
“Thank you all for coming,” he states and looks at each of us.
We all nod to acknowledge the greeting.
“I’ve gathered you here today because you are all that remains of our fathers who formed the Brotherhood. As this is the first time some of us have gathered to sit down and discuss the next steps I take this time to express my condolences for our losses. It was a great loss and should never have happened.”
Viktor and Aiden are the only ones we’ve had dealings with since Massimo decided to reform the Syndicate. They were the first to contact and the first to suspect foul play.
“My thanks to you,” Franco says.
“The reason for our meeting today is twofold. The first is to establish my plans for the future and also to discuss certain things that need to be hashed out before that future takes place.”
Out the corner of my eye I can see Viktor giving Franco a hard stare. He suspects him. He thinks the other traitors are them. I’m not so sure now that I’ve seen them.
I’m not getting the vibe that they’re anything but grateful to be here.
I glance at Dominic who looks focused. He’s staring ahead at Massimo.
“I am reforming the Syndicate and I will keep most of the structure as it was because those practices were set in place for a reason. Even though or fathers are gone everything is still laid out as it was. Some practices are still in motion. Those have not fallen away. It’s just rebuilding who we are, who the Syndicate are and who will fall part of the Brotherhood.”
“When you say you intend to keep the structure as it was do you intend to have no leader?” Lucca asks. “The old ways did not include a leader.”
Massimo shakes his head. “That will be the first thing I change. I think that was one of the things that led to the downfall. I appreciate having equality, but this Syndicate will be formed of those I trust. It will operate on trust not equality because sometimes you can’t have that. It can’t exist in a group like the Syndicate because you need someone to take charge and enforce order where it needs to be enforced.” Massimo explains and I feel proud of him for doing so in such an eloquent way.
I always thought the same. I didn’t think a group of crime families who were all as cut throat as each other could live by principles of equality the way other groups might. We’re not wired that way and that’s why they had traitors amongst them. people who wanted power and to overthrow the system as it was.
“So what now?”
“What now is this,” Massimo states and gives him a piercing glare. “I started with us today because I felt that you should have a chance to be part of what your fathers built. But there are traitors amongst us and I will not have traitors part of my Syndicate.”
As if he’s just reaching for a pen from his back pocket, Massimo pulls out his gun and aims it at them.
They look at each other in panic. They would have left their guns at the door.
The only people allowed guns in here were Viktor and Aiden.
“How dare you do this?” Franco counters. “We have done nothing.”
“I’ll be the judge of that. It’s been brought to light that an Italian family were working with the culprits who blew up the Syndicate. The only people that points to is you guys.”
“No,” Franco argues. “Massimo I know you. We’ve met before on several occasions. I think on those occasions you would have seen the type of man I am. Neither me nor anyone who falls part of my family were responsible for any of what happened.”
I actually believe him. I do. I haven’t had dealings with him like Massimo has but he sounds like he’s telling the truth.
Massimo alternates pointing his gun between Franco and Lucca.
“The thing about traitors is this, you don’t know who they are or when they’re telling truth from lies. Get up, get to your feet,” Massimo orders and they obey.
When they stand I can tell they’re shit scared. They look like men about to face certain death.
I think this would be the part where if either were guilty they’d make some kind of move to defend themselves but they’re just following orders as Massimo motions for