Seeing as no one said more to him and started talking about plans for a new owner, he got up and out the door. That Father didn't say anything more to him was surprising. He usually didn't waste an opportunity to call him useless among other things. But with the problems piling up, it must have been the least of his worries at the moment.
When he came into the main area of the club, he saw a few dancers rehearsing their choreographies on stage. They all looked his way - the one he usually fucked with an inviting gesture. She looked as if she’d got over how he’d treated her back in the VIP room a while ago. He hadn't fucked her since then because he simply got bored of doing dancers. They weren't fun anymore.
With a smirk, he made his way outside, ignoring the girls. He had many more entertaining thoughts in his head. None of them included fucking. It was still early in the day. Barely noon. And surprisingly he had no plans at all. That's why he decided to go for a full-body workout because the quick jog in the morning wasn't enough for him. Then he really needed to see Savannah. All employees had a free day today because of everything, so she would most likely be at home.
"Be careful," he heard a male voice just as he came up to his Audi. On his left, he saw a movement nearby and immediately grabbed the gun, pointing it in the general direction. He saw Noah Falcone once again.
The Capo chuckled, raising his hand in a gesture of a mockery. He was nowhere near being scared. Rather entertained by the thought that someone had pulled a gun on him. "Easy, those aren't clothes meant to get bloody," he said.
Whose blood it would be, Elio could only guess.
He slowly lowered his gun, still alarmed as to why the man hadn’t left as they’d all thought.
"Why did the girl tell you about the owner?" he asked.
Elio shrugged. He really doubted that Flavio had told his brother more and this was simply coming from his own assessment of the situation. Like a good soldier, he should be upfront, however, he wouldn't risk it. Especially since he had no fucking idea what he even wanted.
"She already knew what I was capable of after I beat the shit out of him for not giving us the money on time," he said instead.
The man nodded, however, acceptance didn't really reach his eyes. He hid his hands in his pockets and leaned against the side of the car. "I know you're friends with my brother and if he likes you there must be something worth liking. But don't think for a second that I'm going to let you off the hook if you step out of line. Even as our fathers' children, we still decide for ourselves. We have that possibility."
His tone was cold but his words were genuine. That Noah didn't have any warm feeling towards his father was obvious. Each time he tried to distance himself from the likes of him by calling him only a sperm donor. Rightfully so. No one would follow him at twenty years old if he were as traitorous as his father. And the sins of our fathers should never hit home.
Elio's eyes narrowed.
The Capo surprised him by being so straight-forward, revealing that he, in fact, wasn't keen on Gastone. The man was a heartless fucker who loved torturing and maiming probably more than Elio himself. However, he was careful not to disrespect his soldiers without a good reason. He took care of his own, no doubt. Yet, the admiration was lost on him.
"Why did you give my father a position as a Capodecina?" Elio asked at last.
He’d been wondering about it for way too long.
Two fucking years.
Now he might just get an honest answer as to why.
Noah glanced at him, then at the nightclub entrance. "I needed people who feared me. Gastone is a pussy who, hopefully, is going to think twice before betraying me. And you’ve been in Las Vegas ever since we opened a few businesses here over twenty years ago. Hell, you were born here, Elio. So, of course, you know the city, its ins and outs. I was sent here five years ago to learn."
A cold but calculative decision.
Hence, the position as Capo dei Capi. He couldn't afford weakness and being friends with his soldiers was not on his priority list. He needed fear, obedience to rule with an iron fist. Which he did.
Elio admired that. He was only a year younger than his Capo, which was already remarkable even though he had no other choice but to take over. But it hadn't happened in a long time that someone barely of age took over.
"Choose your battles wisely," Noah advised.
He scrutinized him one last time before getting into his car and driving away, leaving Elio completely dumbfounded.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Water droplets hit the car windows as Elio drove. The skies were overhung with a blanket of grey and navy blue that he couldn't even tell the difference between the sky and clouds. It was about time it rained since the last month was nothing but an unbearable, extreme drought. With what the man had planned, it didn't disturb anything.
Despite the car ride feeling tedious because of the traffic, the rain commonly calmed him. He watched the raindrops racing down the windows, thinking about what was to come. The Russians would surely retaliate now that Hunter was dead. That meant the Famiglia was onto them and wouldn't give up influence without a fight. They were brutal motherfuckers. Blood would flow no matter what.
Just as he parked his car in front of Savannah's apartment complex, his phone rang. The ID displayed
