He chuckles. “I’m fine, brother. As you can see, I’m living my best life. Two women in my bed and another sucking my dick. What could be better than that?”
It’s like watching someone who strived for excellence fall in shit. “It’s not like you to spend the night with whores.”
“Don’t you have a whorehouse?” He raises a brow.
&n
bsp; I bite the inside of my lip. “That’s different.”
“How? Massimo, please, whores are a natural part of the package. We all have them. You have them in abundance. And I know this marriage shit isn’t just going to suddenly change you overnight. You’re not wired that way. So, that aside. I’m sure there was a purpose for your visit, Boss.” The corner of his lips curl and his eyes darken.
“Andreas…” I start, but I don’t know what to say to him.
Sorry Pa chose me above you? Sorry I chose Tristan to be part of the syndicate, not you?
He must be pissed as fuck.
“What? Massimo, what? You know as well as I do that there’s nothing to say. It is what it is. No more, no less. Pa chose who he wants to take the lead, and you chose who you want to support you. It is what it is,” he says with a nod.
“You aren’t okay with it,” I state, cutting to the chase.
He chuckles. “Brother, I have to be okay with it.”
“I want you on board, Andreas.”
He reaches out a hand and holds my shoulder. “You are my brother. I will back you in whatever you do. That’s all you need to know. Doesn’t matter if I look like shit and act like shit. I’m just… licking my wounds. You’d do the same if you were me. And I’d be in your shoes. Going to your place to sort you out.”
He releases his grip on me.
“I just want to know you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. I guess sometimes I get stuck in tradition. The oldest son usually gets to be boss. But hey, if Pa were traditional, maybe the right person would never get chosen.” He gives me a curt nod.
I won’t say anything against Pa. He’s a fair man and my fucking idol. I don’t care if I sound like a pussy thinking that, but it’s true. The man laid the cards on the table and gave his four sons a chance to shine. That’s what he did. I won the leadership fair and square.
I just hope it hasn’t cost me my older brother.
“I need you to take care of business at D’Agostinos,” I say to him.
We never got to go over what I’d talked to the others about because we went on the streets to look into Pierbo’s death. The most I got to tell him was that I was splitting the business four ways. That was all.
Andreas is a man like me though—he doesn’t care about money. He cares about power.
“And I will. You can trust me. I’m proud of you, kid.” The light comes returns to his eyes.
I ball my fist to bump his. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
He nods and gives me the first real smile he’s given me since Pa announced I’d be taking over. “She’d be proud too. Ma. I know she would. You’re like him. More than me.” He chuckles. “Now, get the fuck out of here. I need to get back to my women.”
I smirk. “Okay. See you later.”
He tips his head, and I make my way out. I understand him and understand where he’s coming from. The only guy who worked as hard as I did for the position was him. I’d feel like shit too if I didn’t get it.
Chapter Eleven
Massimo
By the time I got back home from work, two things arrived for Emelia.