With a long sigh, he sat down and took a big gulp of his drink. As much as Angelo had impressed him, he was a fucking Capo and came above all those trying to make a statement - he wasn’t a person to mess with. He was a fucking king for all that mattered to the whole Famiglia.
CHAPTER 14
"I suppose there’s no need to explain to you how it’s going to play out," said Noah, standing in the doorway of the bedroom.
Inéz was dressed in a white silky dress that reached her knees. It contrasted perfectly with her darker skin and red lipstick. Everything looked well put together, but daring and far from her usual style at the same time. Another barrier that had to be broken in order for her to become a part of theFamiglia.
She shook her head, turning to face her soon-to-be Capo."It feels like I’m about to get married," she admitted, pointing at her attire.
Noah laughed. "Because it’s not that far off from a wedding ceremony. Sicilians take vows very seriously. And Made Men take omertà even more so. So, you can actually treat this as a marriage to the Famiglia. You might not have an official initiation, but it doesn’t mean it’s not valid."
"Why even go through all this trouble? It’s not like I’m going to bail on the task. Besides, I cannot become a real soldier for you. No one can find out that I’m a part of the Famigliaanyway. As soon as I complete the task, you can simply dismiss me."
He came up to her, reaching for her hand and took it into his. "Do you really want it to be a one-time thing? Drew and Isaac won’t be able to leave, even if I decide that you can. And you’ve shown me countless times that you wouldn’t just turn your back on them," he remarked.
Inéz sighed. She knew that he was right. There was no way in hell she would do that to her friends. She cared too much to let them go.
"I wouldn’t let it happen, Inéz. Even though I have the power to do just that. I don’t know what will happen after you complete your task because I’m not the person to make plans that far into the future. I’ve made up my mind, and you’ve made yours. It’s time to carry out our obligations to the Famiglia, cara."
The Capo looked at the watch. "It’s time to go," he said, guiding the girl out of the room.
§ § §
The ceremony couldn’t take place anywhere outside of Falcone’s penthouse. It would be too much of a risk that someone would spot them and realize what was going on. They had to be careful since Inéz was to start on her assignment the next day. And since there were only going to be four people as witnesses, it didn’t matter where the initiation was being held.
The living room was the same except for one small change. The long table was now in the middle of it, instead of the grand piano. Around it, there were Flavio, Nicodemo, Cristian. It looked like another one of those frequent meetings that took place in mafia circles. However, the combination of people sitting in the room was completely out of place. For every initiation, all captains werealways present along with the most important witnesses - people that were also part of the initiate’s life. So many more should have been there if it weren't for the fact that Inéz was a woman who shouldn’t even become a part of the Famiglia.
With a pounding heart, she stood on one end of the table while Noah took his place on the other side. The men stood up. There was a gun and a knife lying down. Inéz had heard Drew’s hints about the whole ritual as he knew about it from Lynette. She realized that it involved an oath of loyalty done with the weapons that were now in front of her. Validation was made with a droplet of blood falling through a cut on her trigger finger. Since she’d been reading up on it, she couldn’t help feeling like there was one thing missing. Mafia initiations were known to include burning a saint’s picture. However, there was nothing indicating such an element.
It was strange.
"We have gathered here in such a small circle to initiate Inéz Díez. She is to join us, our cause and swear loyalty, omertà. To serve the Famiglia with the best intentions and putting her whole mind and heart into the job. No other woman has been in this place, this position before. It shows that it’s time for some changes. She’s proven her mettle and is to be rewarded for it," began Noah.
He then moved towards the girl, taking the dagger from the table. The girl offered her palm. TheCapo pricked her index finger with a pin and squeezed until blood came out. Inéz smeared it on the gun, taking it in her hand and placing her finger on the trigger. It symbolized the union and the oath that would start but could also finish with blood and a weapon in the initiate’s grip.
"If you end up in jail will you be faithful and not a traitor?"
"I will."
"Do you want to be part of Cosa Nostra?"
"I do."
Noah nodded, stepping to the right. "This blood means that we are now one Family. Youlive by the gun and knife, and you die by the gun and knife."
"With the blood on my hands and the loyalty in my heart, I swear to always put the interest of the Las Vegas Famiglia above all. With sin in my veins and the truth in my mind, I pledge my life to you, now and forever. I enter alive and I will get out dead," Inéz swore.
"Gli affari di questa famiglia sono chiusi."
The affairs of this family are closed.
She no longer owed allegiance to the country, her family, friends or God, but to
