"Now that we’ve got this over with, you are probably thinking why all this happened. And why it came down to us meeting here so suddenly. Unfortunately, the Bratva is closing in on us. They are not able to do business on our territory the way they used to before we moved here, and they are acting up. Killing Andrea was their way of declaring war. You know me as a man who doesn’t back down easily. I will avenge our friend; you can be certain of that. However, there wouldn’t be a meeting if that was all I wanted to say. We cannot afford to go against the New York Famiglia too. The Bratva gets on their case just as much as on ours. Ifnot more. But they could form an alliance and we can’t afford that. So, my Underboss will contact them with a deal. We won’t be intercepting their shipments anymore. In return, they will provide us with all their information on the Bratva, as they operate more in their territory than in ours."
"Why would they agree? From what I heard you are holding their women hostage. Perhaps they are seeking revenge rather than wanting to make peace." Angelo took this opportunity to show his strength. Noah knew that, but he was stepping on thin ice, venturing close to questioning his Capo’s decisions. And judging by the disapproval on other captains’ faces, they felt the same.
"Their women are not dead, so if there’s a chance for peace and maybe even getting them back at one point, they won’t risk turning the offer down. And if they try, Flavio is more than capable of getting them to listen and accept, Angelo. We are not playing around. Whether they want it or not, they have to agree. Besides, there is more than one Capo.They all have to be in agreement."
No one said anything against the plan. Even though Gastone Conte clearly disliked the mention of the New York women. However, there was still more to be said. Noah had to reveal his decisions but with each one, he was pushing further towards having a mutiny on his hand. He looked at his brother who immediately realized that he had to be the person to break the news. Even if they had already been heard before.
"We’ve taken two outsiders under our wing. They are training as we speak and sooner rather than later, they will be initiated," he began. "Their names are Isaac Henderson and Drew Ryder."
The whispers started going around the room. There was a chance that this could go south any second. Outsiders had no business being in the Famiglia. They never had. Especially a man who was an FBI agent’s son.
"Why? So feds can reopen an investigation on us and have even more evidence in court because we allowed in our midst one of their own?" asked Angelo.
Noah looked at him angrily. He’d given him a pass after his earlier words, but there was no way he would do it again. Made Men all turned their gazes at the new Capodecina. He was no Andrea and that was more than certain. "What? Everyone was thinking it, I just said it out loud," he added.
The Capo stood up, resting his hands on the table, making himself visible. He had tobe taken seriously no matter what. Having one of his people raise hell wasn’t the right way to go about that.
"As far as I’m concerned, people who get initiated swear their loyalty and omertà. They become one of us. So, when Drew Ryder does that, he will have more to lose by betraying us than sticking with theFamiglia. I am not choosing them on a whim, but because it’s going to help. One day we will have problems with the FBI again. Maybe even bigger than four years ago, and we will need someone who is able to get shit done. Ryder is that person. And Henderson is one hell of a hacker who can make unbelievable shit happen with one click," he roared. "You will receive an invitation to their initiation soon, and I expect you to come. Am I making myself clear?"
The captains nodded rapidly, knowing that Noah was on the verge of making them regret coming here. Angelo didn’t respond.
"You are to watch out for the Bratva. Double your guards on the loved ones, on yourselves. Whatever you need. Other than that, keep your businesses flowing," Flavio stated, standing up as well. The meeting was over because any minute now, his brother would send more than one of them to their grave, or in the best-case scenario - to the hospital.
As Made Men started going out of the room, Noah nodded his head toward Angelo, making his brother stop him. Soon the two were left alone. The Capodecina regarded his boss cautiously, adjusting his tie. Noah stepped up to him slowly but when he was a few steps away, he upped the pace, pinning a surprised Angelo to the wall, restricting his breath.
"Listen to me carefully, Angelo. You might be new to this and I can be very understanding, but if you challenge me again, you will smell the flowers from six feet underground. Understood?”
The Capodecina coughed. "Yes."
"Good." Noah let him go and walked away to the other side of the room. "You have balls, I have to admit it. More than your father ever had. Use them on everyone but me. Because with others, you might win, but you will lose if you stand against me. Each and every fucking time. All men see the things I did for theFamiglia. Believe me, it wasn’t easy. It was one hard fucking job that needed to be done. They see the good because they want to. But there’s no flicker of fucking light in me. I am the embodiment of darkness. You’d do well to keep that in mind," he
