The Vatican - M.E. Clayton Page 0,7
life.
When we were done, he had dressed me in some of his clothes from his locker and had taken me home. None of the men at the funhouse had said a word as Francisco carried me out of the showers and out of the building. He had taken me home, tucked me in, and had disappeared sometime during the night.
We never spoken of that night, and I was glad for that.
Otherwise, I would have fallen in love with Francisco Benetti.
Chapter 4
Francisco~
Even though most of our meetings were held at the Benetti Home, I preferred when it was just us at my dad’s. The Benetti Home felt…cold. There was a chill in the air as if ghosts were bemoaning in the walls. Or maybe they were demons coming out to celebrate our company.
Whichever it was, it was creepy.
Of course, since there were no Capos in attendance, it wasn’t really an official meeting. This was more of a…staff meeting between the heads of the Benetti Family. It wasn’t something we did often because Dad didn’t like having us all in the same place at once, but sometimes it couldn’t be helped. And, once I came along, Uncle Sal and Dad felt more comfortable being around each other.
Today, we were meeting to discuss my generation’s progress.
“Sal,” my father said, kicking off the meeting.
“Emilio’s turning out to be a fucking wiz with computers,” he remarked. “I think he’s going to excel with security.” Dad nodded. “Sal Jr. is developing some kind of new tracking device that supposed to be undetectable. Christos has decided he wants to go to college, and Antonio is thinking he might want to do the same.” Christos and Antonio were still in high school, so there was time for them to cement their decisions later. “Vincent is doing a hell of a job overseeing everything, and let’s just say, I’m happy Ria is on our side.”
Dad gave him a simple nod, and then looked over at Uncle Leo. “Leo.”
“As I’m sure you already know, Angelo’s mind might as well be a calculator,” he began. “He catches patterns like nothing I’ve ever seen. He’s already caught three guys skimming.” We already knew this. My brother had shown signs of genius at a very young age. “Camilla’s already started using her degree to our advantage and is already revamping our tax and audit shit. Georgia keeps blowing my fucking mind with her stock market shit, and she’s making us traceable, legitimate money.” Uncle Phoenix chuckled, and I felt him. The last thing we needed was more money. “Daniel decided he wants to go to college, too. But that might just be Christos influence, I’m not sure. And Matteo is looking to work with Ciro once he graduates from high school.”
“And Malia?” Malia was Leo’s only daughter.
“She wants to work with Remy’s non-profit with the kids.”
“Okay,” Dad replied. “I’ll talk with Remy.
Dad turned to Uncle Ciro next. “Ciro.”
“Dante is going to inherit the funhouse because, at the ripe old age of twenty-three, he’s a certified psychopath.”
“That’s my son you’re talking about,” Uncle Phoenix drawled out.
“And I say that with all the love in my heart for the kid,” Uncle Ciro chimed back. “The kid’s a fucking natural at extracting information.” Uncle Phoenix shook his head. “And Emilio is following in his footsteps, in addition to the computer whiz shit. The boys are taking to the fighting and study of human anatomy like fish take to water,” he said proudly. “Once Matteo comes on board, they’ll be unstoppable.”
“And Cira?” Dad asked.
Uncle Ciro snorted. “She’s absorbing everything Mia is teaching her. She’d be fucking amazing if she didn’t spend all her time trying to find a way to take over the organization.” He looked over at me. “Dude, sleep with one eye open. One eye open.”
Dad smirked, then looked over at Uncle Phoenix. “Phoenix.”
“Speaking of psychopaths,” he grumbled, “Mattia and Bianca are going to make great assassins. But I think we need to reassess Massimo.”
“Why?” Dad asked.
“The kid’s too fucking sharp to be doing books or hits,” Uncle Phoenix said. “I know he wants to work with me, and I’ll be more than happy to take him, but…I don’t know. I think he can be more.”
“He’s only eighteen,” Uncle Ciro remarked. “Are you thinking he needs to go to college?”
“I’m thinking he’d make a hell of a lawyer,” Uncle Phoenix said. “I’m thinking maybe the kids who are choosing college should be questioned to see how they can help us outside these walls. We’d be