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Constantine grinned. “I thought you didn’t feel it necessary to take an interest in them.”
“I still don’t. I just figured there’s a significant reason for the pomp and circumstance you’re putting on here. Nice scotch.”
“I thought you’d approve. Maybe this is a bit of a celebration. You’ll be receiving a formal invitation to join the Brotherhood soon.” My brother’s grin was usually infectious but for some reason, I had a feeling another shoe was about to drop.
“Brother. You developed it and for all practical purposes are in charge of the Brotherhood. That could mean a little nepotism and bias in allowing me to join.”
He laughed, lifting his glass. “Touché, brother. I can certainly understand why you’d think that way, but you’ve earned your spot.”
“Well, I’ll consider it.” It wasn’t that I was opposed to being on some basic council of merciless men, but I simply didn’t always play well with others.
“Good. The Irish are the ones I’m most concerned about. They’re attempting to slide into our territory by taking over several facilities and turning them into casinos.”
The Irish clans were notorious for illegal gambling, the kind where men lost limbs and family members when debts weren’t paid on time. While we both still had a penchant for violence when necessary, our resorts and casinos were on the up and up, zero illegal activities allowed inside of them. There simply was no need to risk our livelihoods because of them any longer.
“Well, I guess we develop a plan to stop them.”
“I’ve heard, although yet to corroborate there are people coming out of Ireland, working with their brothers in the Big Apple.”
“From New York?” I asked, taking another sip of the fine scotch reserve after doing so. It was a delicious treat that I wasn’t used to.
He nodded. “Unfortunately, so. However, their reach is wide, especially since they’ve grown in numbers. We need to keep a close watch on them.”
“That we can do.” I studied him intently, noticing he was having a difficult time looking me in the eyes. That was odd especially for him.
“Are you hungry, because I took the liberty of ordering thick slabs of rare prime rib.”
I chuckled and glanced at my watch. “At one in the afternoon? Now I know you have something up your sleeve. Spill it.”
As soon as he grabbed the file, I sensed I’d been right about the other shoe being dropped. My brother was a man of decision, exactly like I was. I could tell he was debating whatever decision he’d made before telling me. When he finally placed the file on the table, he backed toward the window.
I glanced at it for a few seconds before opening the flap. It appeared to be a full dossier on the Cosa Nostra out of Italy complete with photographs of the family, the estate and grounds as well as several of the soldiers. There was also brief mention of the other five families holding territories as well, but I had no interest in learning about them at this point. “What is this?”
“This is a proposition that was dropped into my lap yesterday.”
“What, running the Sicilian Cosa Nostra?” I laughed but sucked in my breath when I realized I must be close to hitting the mark. “You’re serious.”
“You’re a perfect choice.”
He finally lifted his gaze and I was certain he was joking.
But he wasn’t.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
There was something foreign about the way my brother was looking at me, although I had difficulty reading his expression.
“As I said, I was provided with an interesting offer. It would seem Giovanni Rossi was unfortunate enough not to have a son, an heir to the throne. Given he is in his late sixties, he’s become concerned that he won’t be given an opportunity to select the person who will take over his empire.”
“Whoa. Hold on. I’m confused. Are you suggesting that he requested I be the one to move to a foreign country to take over when he dies?”
“Something like that, although you wouldn’t need to stay year-round.”
I took a gulp of my drink this time, wishing the smooth liquor would burn my throat instead of soothe it. After swallowing, I cocked my head. “Are you fucking out of your mind? I’m not Italian. The last time I checked you weren’t either.”
“That’s not true given our father’s roots.”
“Oh, come on. He came here as a boy. The entire family is more American than anything.”
