Fifty-One After leaving the Don's Office, I feel like the air has left my lungs. My heart feels heavy, and my mind is in a daze. Does Vito realize what he is asking of me? I have spent my whole adult life trying to forget the things that I have done and seen.  My father had been grooming me and showing me how to run the family business. A part of me knew that my father's company went further than just arms smuggling and illegal drugs. I hoped that I would never have to get my hands dirty or watch what goes on at my father's compound. It was on my fifteenth birthday that I lost all and any respect I had for my dad. I remember the day so vividly. The company had been short on money from their sales. I am not talking about small change either; we were missing millions. My dad's trusted advisor, Ivan, found the

I rake my hands through my hair and pace the room back and forth. Tatianna has not eaten in days; she's been lying in our bed. Late at night, she's been waking up screaming. No matter how hard I try, I don't know how to fix this.Today is the day of the meeting, and it's the day I have been dreading. I'm hoping we will get a lead on who set the bomb. Why would anyone want Tatianna dead? Just the thought of losing her makes my blood go cold. I can't imagine how Tatianna's brother Rafael is feeling. I didn't know Laura, but I knew that Tatianna was close to her, making it even harder. I can't let Tatianna leave knowing her life is in danger. It took some persuasion, but Rafael understood. I think he is more set on revenge than I am. He will stay here with Tatianna to make sure she is safe while I attend the meeting.I finish getting ready and head to our room to

I take a deep breath and exhale, and the sign Geo's is lit up in red. I have Marco right beside me as my right-hand man, literally. There's an army of my men hidden in plain sight waiting for my cue. Even with all of my precautions, it doesn't feel right. My gut is telling me not to trust Carl Barone. I brush the feeling away and enter the door. A large man at a six-foot-two stature greets Marco and me and pats us down. Instantly I pull off my harness and gun to set it on the nearby table to show I mean no ill harm. Once the man is satisfied, he leads Marco and me to a room in the restaurant's back. Men are sitting around chattering, and the smell of cigar smoke covers the air. Women in revealing outfits surround the table. At the head of the table is a balding man with a large belly gut, smoking a cigar. Sitting beside him is someone I never thought I would

         I stare at the two in shock. How could this be? The woman resembles Axon, but Axon’s mama is dead. I watch as her crinkled eyes look adoringly at him. I know I shouldn't meddle, but shouldn’t Bianca be here? I still have no idea what happened between Axon and his sister, but it’s high time for a family reunion.      Discreetly I slip my phone from my pocket and snap a picture of the two hugging and send it. Bianca won't answer my calls, but just maybe this will get her attention. A few minutes later she replies. ‘Is that my Mom?’I type back a simple ‘yes’ and instantly she replies ‘I’m on my way.’I put the phone back into my pocket so I don’t draw attention to myself. My papa stares at the woman like he has seen a ghost. Eventually, Axon and his mother break apart.   “Mama I thought you were dead!” Axon exclaims as tears of joy fall down his face.   “I’m so

I gather my men at the compound. At this rate the element of surprise is over. We either attack Carl now. Or wait for his attack. Now that Mama has escaped and told us his plans there’s no chance he will try to meet me, and storm my compound. I could have Vito rally everyone else, but their forces have been weakened. Not to mention there is a rumor Carl is working with the Russians. They have tried to get their foothold in Italy for a while now, smuggling firearms and women. None of the families have stooped low enough to work with them. None until now. I look at the information that my men have been able to collect. Along with the map my mama drew by memory of Carl's house. The house is tighter than Fort Knox, and I’m certain Carl has beefed up security. As dangerous as it is I may have to activate my mole that I have hidden deep in the organization. I shouldn’t take all the credit Marco hid him there years ago. When he first took over the Amato family. He managed to get one in