Page 54 of Unraveled

He let that insult brush off his shoulders.

Sort of.

“It was manageable when Corrado was alive,” Gian replied. “That’s all I’m saying.”

“It was manageable because one side knew that when Corrado was dead, they would finally have what they wanted—a younger boss they respected and had common ground with in la famiglia. You, Gian. And they didn’t get you. They got another ancient fool in Edmond, who doesn’t understand that it’s not the forties and fifties anymore, and the rules need to change with the world we live in.”

“You’re starting to piss me off again; Corrado wasn’t—”

“He chose to be blind or placate, too. Don’t make that mistake, man.”

“He’s shutting me out,” Gian reminded his friend. “That means he’s not going to let me get close enough to put this to an end.”

“And the bomb,” Constantino said. “Don’t forget the bomb.”

How could he?

“I have too many things to deal with, all at once. Corrado, Edmond, the men, the fucking bomb. All of it.”

“What if it’s all the same man behind those things, though?”

“That’s too simple,” Gian said. “It’s too easy. This life isn’t easy. Nothing about it ever is.”

Constantino didn’t bother to argue that point.

“One thing at a time,” Gian added, “and whether you want to admit it or not, there are a lot of men who would benefit from putting me in the boss’s seat.”

“Your point?”

“It’s easy to point the finger at Edmond; easier, even, to make me look at him. No one said these men were fucking dumb, Constantino. I’m not going to treat them like they are, it could have been anyone.”

“I still think Edmond—”

“Yes, because you would also benefit from me, not him, holding the highest position,” Gian interrupted. His friend stayed quiet for a long minute. “Do you see my point, now?”

“To an extent,” Constantino said quietly.

“Then give me time to think and work this out. I need to talk to people, look them in the face and see if they lie to me. I know these men, I’ve spent my whole life with these men. It has to be one thing at a time, man. That’s how a smart man does it. I won’t tear a whole organization apart, in an attempt to rid myself of only a couple of bad seeds. My grandfather built this fucking family into what it is, and I won’t ruin it.”

“Don’t take too much time.” Constantino laughed, though it came out strained and dry. “You were lucky with the bomb, but that luck won’t last forever.”

“Yeah, I know. Thanks.”

“Just saying.”

“I’ll call you later,” Gian muttered.

He didn’t even bother giving a proper goodbye before he hung up the phone.

The elevator door opened, and Gian stepped out to a waiting consigliere for the building. The man smiled, and held out a key fob.

“Your new Mercedes is waiting at the front, Mr. Guzzi.”

Gian took the device. “Thank you, Gene.”

“Have a good day, sir.”

He looked over the key fob for the new Mercedes as he exited the building. The car he’d wanted had to be shipped in from Quebec, leaving him without a vehicle for most of the week. He’d simply used his enforcer as a driver, but he was glad to have his own wheels again. The sleek, black two-door parked in front of the building was running, warming up in the cold March air.