"Why are you here with us?" asked Isaac.
Noah rolled his eyes, changing into his fighting shorts. "Because I need to make sure you’re ready for the initiation tonight," he said.
"And what does that have to do with fighting? It’s just a blood oath."
While Isaac believed those words, Drew knew how the initiation actually worked. Lynette had told him about it, and he knew the day was going to be as dreadful as it possibly could. Him shooting Cesarino was a whole different thing. Judging by the serious expression on his boss’s face, the night wouldn’t end with a wound that could be healed. He would have to kill someone.
His throat tensed up. "Who?" he asked.
"There’s a prosecutor that needed to be taught a lesson. Sadly, he didn’t get the last message." Silence. "Another reason that should be enough to get rid of fucking Gastone. He’sinfuriating me every single fucking day," Noah seethed, hoisting his weight to the ring.
He grabbed the bandages and began to wrap them around his hands.
Isaac peeked at his best friend with a terrified look. Drew had been determined to become one of the best fighters in the Famiglia ever since he started. It gave him satisfaction and a sense of belonging that he hadn’t felt before. The horror stories he’d heard from Lynette were pushed to the side, and he had to admit that, besides making sure that the love of his life was safe, he actually wanted to join the organization. Nothing horrified him anymore. Surprisingly, not even killing someone.
But his friend was different. He still carried a part of his innocence. It hadn’t been mercilessly ripped away from him four years ago as Drew’s had. And Noah had said from the start that Henderson would mostly handle the computer side of the business. Thinking back however, there was no guarantee that the man wouldn’t have to prove himself one way or another. This time it involved killing someone.
"That’s one person. What about the other?" Drew pressed.
"No one important. Just one of the low-life scums that used to deal for the Famiglia." The Capoexplained. "Now come on, we don’t have all day to chit-chat."
§ § §
The initiation went smoothly, considering that two outsiders were pulled into the Famigliaand none of the captains were thrilled about it. No one said anything against it, however. Mostly because it wouldn’t change a thing. Other than that, Noah could lose his temper and more people would die than be initiated on that day.
Yet, it hadn’t been easy for Drew, and neither for Isaac. And it shouldn’t have been because that would make them the same as any Made Man, and that wasn’t their intention. Their priorities were different, something which Noah had known from the start. They couldn’t be changed in a matter of weeks. Neither of them had been born into this world as he had. From a young age, respect towards the Capohad been burned, beaten and mentally ingrained into him. And that was one of the things that the young Falcone wanted to change. He needed people’s respect because he’d earned it. Treating his soldiers the way Marco'd had was the reason why the Famigliahadn’t been completely reliable. That alone forced his hand to get rid of so many people after taking charge.
Having returned home after the initiation, Noah changed his clothes quickly and left once again. This time, he drove to his brother’s apartment which was a few minutes away. There was no particular reason behind it, but the Capodidn’t feel like being alone for the night because he would most likely end up in Gastone’s club to watch Inéz. And that wasn’t an option. No matter how much he wanted to do it.
With a sharp knock at the door, he pushed down the handle. He usually announced his presence but didn’t wait for the invite. It was just for his peace of mind, in case Flavio had female company, which he sometimes did. Entering the penthouse, he heard the sound of plates being used which made him follow it to the kitchen.
Flavio’s apartment was much smaller than Noah’s because the younger Falcone didn’t like extravagant things and was used to doing everything low-key. It had only one floor with two bedrooms, a big living room overlooking Las Vegas with big glass walls, connected with the kitchen, and a bathroom. No bar, spiral stairs or hot-tub. However, it was still impressive and expensive for an ordinary person’s standards. Not everyone could afford it. As an Underboss, he had a lot of money but wasn’t used to spending it much.
Turning the corner from the hall to the kitchen space, he abruptly stopped as his eyes settled on a dark blond-haired girl who was most likely on her way to open the front door. At least that was what it looked like.
Noah smirked, shamelessly studying her. She was wearing black sweats and a casual white t-shirt. Nothing special. "I wondered where my brother had accommodated you. I would have imagined one of my hotels or something. Certainly not his apartment," he said.
Anastasia breathed out, lowering her gaze. She was uncomfortable in the Capo’s presence and was well-aware that he enjoyed it tremendously. It was his pastime with everyone. She didn’t answer.
"Where’s Flavio?" he asked.
The girl pointed to the doors on the far right. Bathroom. "He’s taking a shower," she whispered.
Noah nodded and passed by Anastasia, sitting down on the couch in the living room. He pulled out his phone, checking his messages as he waited for his brother to get out. In the corner of his eye, he registered that the girl had gone back to whatever she’d been doing in the kitchen before he interrupted her.
"Why has Flavio taken you here?" Noah asked after a few minutes of silence.
He could only guess the reason as Flavio wasn’t the most straightforward person and his motives probably differed from what Anastasia was thinking, and what Noah was imagining. But it wouldn’t hurt to try to find
