Page 3 of Paolo DeLuca
Chapter three
Paolostoodatrapt attention with the rest of the family in the room where the initiation took place. Others filed in, taking their places in the rows of seats and around the table, watching Enzo take his place behind the now empty seat their grandfather once occupied. Vito made his way down the aisle at the command of Pietro with a water basin, who prompted Enzo to wash away the blood and dirt of the enemy, the anger, the hatred. The washing away ceremony was both symbolic and literal in Enzo’s case. Blood was all over him from taking revenge for all of them tonight.
Pietro then ordered Raphael and Stefan to assist Enzo in the ceremony; one stood on either side of him. As his guard and the other as the new consigliere. Paolo was both amazed and excited about what was coming for the famiglia, as he continued to watch his cousin go through initiation. Paolo and the family rose to swear loyalty to Don Lorenzo DeLuca and repeated Uncle Pietro’s words. Everyone in the family knew the oath, and as Enzo spoke the words aloud, Paolo repeated them under his breath. When the family promised they would come when he needed them, Paolo promised too, meaning every word he uttered.
Once the commandments were read and Enzo signed the Don’s scroll, Uncle Pietro presented Enzo with their grandfather’s dagger, sealing the passing of the title to him.
“By blood, we are connected. Through fire, we are forged. We are DeLucas.” His chest swelled with pride. “Our bloodline is strong. Though we are gentlemen, we are also savages. We must never fall. We must never appear weak. We must never let the wicked rest after they’ve harmed us…”
Paolo's phone buzzed as Enzo uttered the last of those sacred words. He didn’t dare answer it while the initiation process took place. As soon as Enzo burned the parchment, the family stood to recognize the new Don with claps and cheers.
“It’s Gino,” Dante whispered in his ear, holding up his phone. Since he didn’t answer, Gino called Dante. Paolo nodded as Dante made his way out of the room.
No sooner had they all accepted Enzo than he addressed the family on what transpired tonight. Ricardo, a low-level soldier in the Soldano Family, knew inconsistencies about Don Ermano he shouldn’t have known. The signs were there, but Paolo didn’t voice what he thought. Enzo would make sure whoever did this would pay with blood. As cheers rose in the room, Dante returned.
“We have a problem.”
What the hell is it now?
Paolo sighed and walked out of the room to hear Dante’s report.
“What happened?” Paolo asked as the two of them made their way out of the manor.
“Someone tried to filter counterfeit bills through the club.”
Paolo was puzzled at the news, not grasping what Dante had just revealed. Who the fuck would even have the balls to do it? He was the only one in his city who ran bills. And if anyone wanted to, the best thing for them to do was to see him.
He’d have to call and apologize for leaving. Miami was his city and right now, he needed to get back to see who the fuck was trying bullshit in DeLuca territory.
“Who the fuck is it?” Paolo wanted to know.
Dante shrugged. “Gino said the bartender couldn’t remember who slipped the bills.”
“Cameras?”
“Cameras were on, but Gino said it’s hard to tell. Maybe you’ll have better luck isolating something. You’re more familiar with the system than he is.”
There hadn’t been one night since Night Shade opened that writhing bodies hadn’t packed the place. He loved it. But, if someone tried the shit Gino claimed, then they didn’t know who the fuck he was.
Paolo slid into the backseat of his car, ready to head to the airport. “Go ahead and put out feelers,” he watched as Dante pulled out his phone, beginning to make his calls. “Let’s show them who we are.”
