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The sound of the vacuum on the sealed, bullet-proof room being broken hit my ears and I knew Ricco was standing in the open doorway and waiting for his next instruction.
‘Salvatore is leaving,’ my grandfather explained as he made his way back behind his desk.
‘I’ll go… but I want to ask you one more question.’
‘Your time is up,’ Ricco spoke. I held up my hand to the side of me to silence him. I knew I only had seconds to get back the attention of my grandfather.
‘What is the unwritten rule of the Ndrangheta?’
‘We have many,’ my grandfather replied over his shoulder.
‘We kill, run drugs, manage brothels, sell weapons, provide loans and protection for those who need them.’
‘Where are you going with this, Salvatore?’ My grandfather’s voice sounded more and more uninterested.
‘Racketeering and extortion are firm favourites… but when did we vote to extend our businesses?’
‘Into what?’ His interest was suddenly piqued. He waved his hand to silently gesticulate that Ricco was once again not required and I waited until I’d heard the room reseal once again.
‘What I’m asking is, just when did the Ndrangheta decide we would sell Calabrian women and children?’
The atmosphere in the room changed as he sank down heavily into his chair.
‘Never…’ He sighed and I watched as his eyes grew ever darker with his disgust. ‘Now, I’m asking you again. Do you, Salvatore De Luca, my own flesh and blood, have proof of this?’
‘I have some, but I will need much, much more… However, I’m already convinced that it not only involves those above and to the side of you, but also one of Calabria’s top families. If we work together, not only can we bring them to justice, but I don’t doubt that at the next vote you would be elected to your rightful place.’
‘Hmm.’ His grey eyebrows furrowed as he contemplated what I had just told him. ‘I’ll need to hear what you’ve already got.’
‘I understand that.’
I watched his face carefully as I imparted the information that I’d already gathered and became aware that the man looking back at me intently, was the first man I’d ever felt a connection to. Then I worked out why. His face gave away nothing. Had our roles been reversed, I also wouldn’t have given him any insight into my thoughts or feelings. I’d heard it said that the apple doesn’t fall from the tree, and I could see that had some truth to it.
Finally, I allowed my eyes to dart fleetingly over to the man who’d fathered me, who was stood silently to the side. It is also believed some traits are down to nature, not nurture and I would agree that is correct too. There was no way he was destined to be the next head of the De Luca family. He was fidgety and appeared to be nervous in my presence. The connection I already felt inside me to my grandfather, was nowhere to be found when I cast my eyes over my sperm donor.
In the air between us, all I could feel was hatred.
Taking in a deep breath, I asked what I needed to know.
‘Now, what I want to know, Nonno, is what you’re prepared to do about it?’
My grandfather extended his hand and with a broad smile stretching over his face, he offered me one of his prized cigars. ‘Welcome to the family, Salvatore.’
CHAPTER SIX
SERAFINA
Fourteen Years Old
Two Years Later
‘Stop it, Alessio… Don’t!’
I’d looked up the minute I heard the confrontation starting between one of my older brothers and Romeo De Luca. A sigh left me, and I shook my head at what even I knew was the inevitable fall out between my brother and one of the De Luca boys. Then, feeling the need to reassure my younger sister, I promptly dropped another perfect, pink seashell into the small wicker basket Mia was carrying. Offering her a quick smile, I picked up our walking pace beside the water’s edge, knowing I needed to reach Alessio quickly.
Fleetingly, I cast my eyes up the rugged cliff towards our family villa, which was situated in a prime position in the birthplace of my papa, overlooking the beautiful Bovalino beach. I needed to know if my papa and Salvatore De Luca were watching on, but luckily, I could see no silhouettes standing at the edge of the large stone terrace. I reverted the direction of my gaze and hoped no one had noticed and gauged my concerns.
Even at my age, I understood that there was a strong probability of a fight breaking out between our two families, so surely, they did too? But then maybe it had been part of their plan, as they packed us off to the beach to play together. Probably hoping to clear the bad blood between us, while they discussed the new truce and alliance that had been brokered between them.
