Chapter 2 The meeting

ADRIAN

The vibration of my phone snapped me back to reality. I didn't need to check the screen to know who was calling.

"Mamma, di cosa si tratta, sono occupato?" I hissed into the phone, switching to speaker as I drove.

"Non è questo il modo di parlare a tua madre, Adrian," she half-laughed, but I knew she didn't mean it. I cut her off before she could start her usual lectures.

"Sto guidando," I muttered, knowing she'd get the message.

"I hear you. Don't forget the breakfast at home tomorrow."

"I got it. Have enough rest."

One would think the traditional family breakfasts we had weekly were for bonding but they were anything but.

Whatever warmth the family had once had died with my father. Now, those meals were strictly business.

Every week, we met to discuss:

Who owed us money and how to make them pay...

Who dared to become an enemy...

New profits.

Typical of a ruthless mafia family like mine.

Speeding through the streets, I decided to stop by one of my bars unannounced.

News had reached me that there was resistance brewing, someone was getting too close to our enemies and I intended to find the mole myself.

The moment my car pulled in, the backdoor outside was cleared. My men dragged everyone out of the main office and shut the doors.

My guards stood by, flanking the man I assumed ran this part of town.

I straightened my well-tailored suit, gave a curt nod, and walked to the office.

"Is the office cleared?" I asked coldly.

"Yes, sir."

I took a seat on the couch as four women dressed like my usual whores stood before me.

"The blonde one," I said, dismissing the rest.

I didn't make love.

I fucked.

Hard.

And I never fucked the same woman twice. Kissing? Out of the question. It felt too intimate, too close. I didn't need that.

After a quick release, I fixed myself, took a seat again, and prepared to get down to business.

I was a monster, and I knew it. I chose. I used. I destroyed. Then I killed.

"My visit's unplanned," I began, my voice icy even to my own ears. "I've got better things to do than sit here, so tell me, is everything running smoothly? No one going behind our back and all?"

"No one would dare to, sir. Everything's going well," Lorenzo answered.

A little too quickly but I didn't call him out on it.

"Good," I said simply as I stood to leave.

His eagerness was suspicious. But I had no doubt my surprise visit would rattle enough cages.

Someone was going to make a mistake and I'd be waiting.

............

Sitting across from my mother was the last place I wanted to be, but I had no choice.

"Will you hate me forever?" she asked, her eyes holding that damn pleading glint I despised.

"I don't know. Let's check in twenty years," I said, my tone colder than ice.

"Adrian-"

"I'm really busy. What's the update?" I cut in, my jaw clenched tight. Just being here irritated me.

"I need you to collect information for me," she said finally, dropping the act and getting to the point.

"Why the fuck would I waste my time chasing information you want?" I asked, lighting a cigarette.

"They know who killed your father. I haven't got the names yet, but I will. Also, the Bianchi family wants to make a deal. They're offering to join forces in exchange for shared territory. The information they have could give you the answers you've been searching for half your life."

Her words hit like a sledgehammer.

What the actual fuck?

"I'm not joining hands with anyone you suggest!" I exploded, rage boiling over.

"Adrian-"

"Why are you so fucking sure they have what I want?" I shouted, my voice echoing through the dining room.

"You're Capo dei Capi. That means you've always got a target on your back. Allies matter. I've been having meetings to help you! Dammit!"

My blood turned to fire.

"Listen well, because I won't say it again," I growled, venom in my tone. "I am your fucking King. If I don't assign something, you don't fucking do it. The next time you meet anyone behind my back, I'll consider it a breach of Omertà and won't hesitate to put a bullet in your head."

One of her guards had clearly known and hadn't told me.

Betrayal.

I never gave second warnings.

I stood, turned, cocked my gun, and fired straight into his heart.

He dropped dead.

My mother gasped.

"Adrian! Please-"

"The next bullet might land on someone precious," I warned coldly. "Next time, not even a second should pass before I know everything. Consider this your reminder. I hope I'm loud enough."

"Did you just threaten your mother?" she screamed.

Mother.

The word made me scoff.

Killing that bastard had shaken her.

Good.

Let her remember who I was.

She'd always cared more about money. When she had to choose, she picked wealth over my father and now she was playing house like nothing had happened.

That made me furious. She'd pulled the trigger that stole my father from me. I would make her regret every deal she ever made.

"Calling me your son is a privilege," I said. "One you no longer have."

With that, I walked out, leaving the house in chaos.

Someone killed my father and kept it hidden. I'd find out who and they'd pay. Then, I'd come back for her.

Whether she lived or died by my hand would depend on how deep her part was in the game.

Back at my desk, I tried to concentrate on documents, but my thoughts kept circling back to my mother, the Bianchis, and whatever the hell she'd promised them.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, shut my eyes for a moment and then the door burst open.

Only one person had the balls to do that.

Luca.

"You really have a death wish," I muttered, opening one eye to find him grinning.

"You look like shit," he laughed, dropping into the seat across from me.

Luca was my cousin, enforcer and second-in-command.

Loyal to the grave. We'd been inseparable since childhood. He was the kind of crazy bastard who could laugh through torture and I mean it literally.

"Get the fuck out, Luca," I growled, not in the mood and already regretting having him told him about my shitty morning with mum.

How could I tell him I might have to kill my own mother?

He shook his head.

"No can do, boss. There's an auction tonight. Let's go. Buy some bitches, act casual. Every major player in the underworld will be there. We don't have a lead yet, but this could get us close."

"Not interested."

"Marco Bianchi will be there," he added, his eyes narrowing. "This is your best shot to figure out what he wants from your mother."

That got my attention.

"Fine," I said, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

What the fuck did Marco Bianchi want?

And why the hell wasn't he afraid?

I stood, ready to find out.