“I see,” my father answers.
“Their daughter is the last string attached to that vineyard. She may not inherit the vineyard right away if she lives, but it would be tied up in the legal process until she is appointed guardians, who may become a problem for the Colombos. I don’t want to stand by and watch an innocent child killed over the family business. Not when I have the power to change the outcome.”
“Alessandro, what have I told you? The mafia is no place for Boy Scouts. You cannot save people. You owe no allegiance to anyone except the family.”
Nodding, I say, “Yes, sir.”
“You know that the don has been killed.”
I nod as my heart fills with sorrow at the reminder of Ermanno DeLuca’s death.
“Well, Enzo is determined to find out who did it. We think it’s family-related, so everyone will be under the gun.”
The don’s grandson, Enzo, had taken his place as the new don of the DeLuca family. I know he won’t rest until he finds the murderer. But the revelation about family being involved was a shock to me.
“Family?”
My father nods grimly. “This is no time for war, Alessandro.”
I don’t reply to that because I know I may be unable to keep that promise.
I stand when he gives me his dismissive pinky finger wave. The pinky finger has a gold ring with an onyx stone surrounded by diamonds. I have seen my father put a man’s eye out with that ring.
“Alessandro,” my father calls just before I step out the door.
“Yes, sir?” I turn around and reply.
“Do what you must but discreetly and as expeditiously as possible,” my father orders.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Alessandro?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t get your hands dirty while you’re here. No more violence. That’s what you have men for.”
“Yes, sir.”
A little part of me dies. My father is cuffing my hands. I believe in handling shit and not relying on my men except for backup. People must know who they’re dealing with, and I never want to be underestimated. Never.