Mimi sucks in several large gasps, and she keeps her hysterics at bay. “Stefano didn’t know anything,” she finally pants. “He was a good man, and you’ve killed him for nothing!”
I’m slightly impressed that she has the balls to scream at Ivan, but she is a stupid motherfucker. “You killed him,” Ivan replies. “Your stupid loyalty to a family who threw you away killed him. His stupid loyalty to you killed him.” He reaches for the knife. “Now, tell me why my brother was the target.”
Her head lolls to the side as the fight leaves her. “Don’t you see? I wasn’t thrown away. This was the plan all along. I’ve always had a part to play, since before I was born. I had no choice.”
Unexpectedly, a rush of sympathy flows through me. It only lasts a second and is quickly washed away with scorn, but I can see her dilemma. Were the situation reversed, I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same.
Ivan must feel it too, because his stance softens, and his voice is gentler when he asks the question he most wants to know. “What about my Maddy? Tell me what they know about her, and I’ll make it swift.”
“Everything,” Mimi replies without looking up.
Ivan pales, not moving a muscle, but I can’t allow it. I pull a Glock from my waistband and shove it into his limp hand. “Finish this.” My words are a quiet command, and he listens.
The first bullet enters her foot, enough to snap her to attention, then her knee and one to her stomach. By now, she’s numb to the pain as blood pours from her wounds. Her breaths have sped, and her body is crumpled in shock, unaware of the goings on around her.
She is in the throes of death when Ivan nudges her head with the hot barrel, lifting her dazed focus to him. He shoves the gun into her open mouth, eliciting the look. The one of fear, panic, and acceptance all in quick succession. As soon as the last one settles into her expression, Ivan pulls the trigger and steps back, disconnecting himself from the moment and returning to a version of my brother in which I’m more familiar. One who values life and is regretful over the loss, no matter how deserving the death.
I motion Angelo into action as I move to comfort Ivan. At first, he shrugs me off, but I’m persistent, starting with a strong grip to his shoulder and slowly pulling him into an embrace. He accepts my comfort just as he comes to accept his actions.
Slowly, he pulls away and collects himself. “I’m fine,” he says, and I’m not sure if it’s for my benefit or his. “It had to be done.”
I nod once. “And you had to do it.” I pause, unsure if now is the time, in the shadow of a dead woman, but there are things that need to be said. “I know this life was never your calling, and I’m sorry you’re being forced into it, but you understand why it has to be you, don’t you?”
He adjusts his glasses, straightening up even more. “Not only do I understand, I’d never allow you to choose someone else. The Outfit belongs to the Simones, and it will remain that way as long as you or I have a say.”
I smirk, the man before me impressing me in ways I never imagined. “And here I thought I’d have to beg.”
“Not when everything I care about is threatened,” he replies, shaking his head.
“And after the threat has passed, will you regret the commitment?” I ask. “You know this is a lifetime decision; it can’t be undone.”
“When is the ceremony?” he asks, ignoring my question but still answering it in his own way. He may regret it one day, but he’s not changing his mind.
“With this taken care of, I want it soon,” I reply, pursing my lips in thought. “Our organization needs to be at peak performance in time for the meeting with the other families. Let me work on the specifics, but expect it soon.”
Ivan nods. “I’d like it to be before the funeral, if possible.”
My brows furrow. “Any particular reason?”
“I’d just feel safer knowing we had our ducks in a row before such a public event,” he replies. “Knowing they’re out there makes me want to keep Maddy behind a lock and key at all times.”
I grip his arm, squeezing tightly. “I’ll take care of it, Van. We’ll protect her.”
Leaving Angelo to clean up the mess, Ivan and I head our separate ways, back to our homes where the women in our lives await. Piper has been busy working on Joseph and Anna’s funeral arrangements with my mother, strangely e-fucking-nough, and I get straight to work on making Outfit decisions that will affect us all.
With Ivan set to take over the role of Underboss, I still need to fill the position of Consigliere. It has to be someone I trust implicitly to not only speak up when they feel the need, but also to carry out my orders even when they’re not in full agreement.
There’s only one man who can fill that position.
Lorenzo.
So with the Outfit business in mind, I make the trip down to the twelfth floor to formally offer him the role. “Dante.” He answers the door, surprised by my presence. “Come in. Riley is resting in his room.”
“Oh?” I say, as I’ve completely forgotten about him. “I actually came to speak with you, but I’ll be sure to stop in before I leave.”
“Good. Can I get you anything?” he asks, motioning me to the sofa.
I shake my head and pin him with a serious stare. “I came to talk business. Outfit business.”
“Sounds serious,”
