“Not anymore,” I said, ready to end this shit and get Remy and Beverly out of here.
“You think you can challenge me?” he spewed out viciously. “You think you and your friends are powerful enough to move out me and mine?” Gio was so incensed, spittle was flying out of his mouth. “Boy, you have no idea what you’re up against.”
I let go of Remy’s hand and moved her behind me. “Neither do you,” I tossed back. “But you will.”
I needed Remy and Beverly safely out of the line of fire. “Ciro. Phoenix.” My gaze never left my father’s as Ciro went to collect Beverly and Phoenix came and got Remy. At the same time as the guys were securing the women, Sal and Leo came to stand behind me. That simple show of loyalty turned the tension in the barn into a dread that permeated everyone in the room.
“Since we’re on the subject of mistresses, Gio,” I began as Sal slapped a folder in my outstretched hand. “Why don’t we talk about Marjorie Conti?” His eyes widened and his face paled. “You’re not the only one with resources, Gio.”
“You’re bluffing!”
I glanced around the room and mimicked Gio’s earlier display of showmanship. “Would any of you like to know who Marjorie Conti is?”
“Luca!”
I turned back towards my father. “You step the fuck down, Giovanni. You step down and hand over every-fucking-thing to me and I might let you live. You want to do down fighting, I got you. But your death will be one for the ages.”
“I’m Giovanni Benetti!” he screamed. “You can’t do this! I won’t allow it!”
I shrugged a shoulder. “Then you give me no choice.”
“Who is Marjorie Conti?” Roman, his Consigliere asked.
“No one,” Gio spat, knowing there was no way he’d be allowed to live if his secret came out.
But, then, I said the words that would change everything forever. “She’s Giovanni’s mistress.”
“So?” one of the older Capos said. “It’s not like…” He must have remembered his audience and didn’t want to disrespect the girls. “Your mother understands,” he finished lamely.
I smirked. “She’s also a police officer with the Morgan City police force.” I tossed the folder on the ground at Gio’s feet and pictures, reports, receipts, etc. spilled out all over the place. Everything in the folder was a copy, so it didn’t matter if anything was ruined.
“What?!” Roman roared. “What do you mean?”
“Giovanni’s side-piece is a cop,” I announced.
“He’s lying!” Gio yelled as he went to reach for the folder and the splayed contents, but it was too late. Roman got to it first.
Everyone shifted and started for Roman to try to get a look at the evidence and that’s when Giovanni pulled out his gun and pointed it directly at me. Behind me guns cocked in an echoing symphony. I knew without looking that Sal, Leo, Phoenix, and Ciro all had their guns out, pointed at my father.
Everyone froze.
I stared at my father and the look in his eyes was manic. “Do it!” I snarled. Gio could kill me, but he knew it was over for him. I might be dead, but Sal and Leo would bury him alive.
Then, without an ounce of emotion, I watched my father stick the gun in his mouth and blow his brains out. I could admit, I never saw that coming, but I wasn’t sad about it.
I turned towards Sal and Leo. I had a hate-hate relationship with my father, but they hadn’t. Everyone remained frozen as Sal looked up at me and said, “Good riddance.”
I turned to Leo, and he said, “Ditto.”
I grinned, slapped them each on the back, then walked up to Sensio and said, “Now, you’re next, motherfucker.”
Chapter 24
Remy~
The ravaging fuck against the front door hadn’t helped. The shower hadn’t helped. The wine hadn’t helped. The massage hadn’t helped.
Nothing. Had. Fucking. Helped.
I wasn’t sure how much more violence I could take. I knew the meeting tonight was going to be bad, but I never imagined it’d end with Giovanni Benetti blowing his brains out. And worse? His three sons hadn’t batted one eyelash over it.
Beverly had been a sobbing mess, but I had been more detached than anything. My mind had gone into protective mode and I hadn’t fought it.
My mind needed some goddamn protecting.
After Ciro had knocked Sensio out and secured him in back of his car, I had stood by in a daze as every man in the room had come before Luca and pledged their loyalty