I should be indulging in champagne versus wallowing in self-pity as well as fury. I loved my father, had once even worshipped him, but the adoration had become tainted. Still, the news had been more than disconcerting. I had no idea how deep Vincenzo was in with his family, although I suspected he knew much more than the press had ever mentioned. Everyone had secrets.
As another limo pulled up, I kept the plastic smile covering my face. The press was looking for any sign of weakness, a scandal that would give them their fifteen minutes of fame. While connections to my family had been made after my first blockbuster had hit the silver screen, that was old news.
For now.
If what my father had told me held any merit, there would be a juicy exposé somewhere down the road. Maybe Ricardo was right. I couldn't run. I remained exactly where I was as the limo as the door was opened, the gorgeous blonde lifting her gown as she exited, already waving to the overjoyed crowd.
The screaming continued, everyone awaiting the beautiful fantasy couple, our stories fulfilling their desires. I huffed at the thought. I could barely tolerate Trudy, her princess attitude in need of harsh discipline. She was the epitome of a true prima donna, but Vincenzo had insisted that she was the only actress for the job.
"Don't look now but our star is approaching."
Vincenzo and I had sparred far too many times and tonight I was in no mood for his bullshit. I'd known about his background but hadn't held it against him any more than he had with me. We simply couldn't tolerate each other. Some would say bad blood.
I wasn't going to let on I was aware of his father's upcoming betrayal. Acknowledging that wasn't going to do me any good and could tip the enemy. Yeah, I'd learned everything there was to know about living within a closely protected family, a prisoner in expensive housing. My mother had felt the same, merely a trinket on my father's arm, the gorgeous movie star trophy my father had targeted and won.
My birth had been much the same. He'd expected several more children. Her body refused to comply. My father had taken out his disappointment on his only son.
"After tonight, we don't have to see each other again, Vincenzo. Trust me, I don't want to waste time with a worthless director." I kept my tone as emotionless as possible as I studied his eyes. If he was aware of what his father was planning, the arrogant ass was hiding it well.
"You're going to honor every single press conference and appearance, or I will discredit you," Vincenzo hissed under his breath.
I shifted in order to face him, shaking my head. "Threats now, Vincenzo? That's interesting coming from you." The tension was high. I noticed he'd clenched his fist as if ready to throw a punch. That would certainly make headlines. He was also searching to see what I knew. He seemed to forget that I was a damn good actor.
"Promises, my friend," Vincenzo hissed.
"Hey. Hold on here, fellas." My agent approached, swearing under his breath. As soon as he was within a few inches, he glared from one to the other. "We're in front of about two hundred reporters. Do you two really want to go at it like you're five-year-olds?" Drake Collier was always the voice of reason.
I narrowed my eyes, waiting for Vincenzo to back down. The confrontation was overt, even for him. My hackles were raised, my instinct telling me he was smack in the middle of the possible takeover.
"Besides," Drake continued, "you have an urgent phone call, Kelan."
"I don't want to be interrupted. Take a damn message," I snapped, more because of the glib expression on Vincenzo's face.
Drake grabbed my arm, tugging me away from the round of bravado. "You're going to want to take this. They couldn't get ahold of you, so they tracked me down." The urgency in his voice was palpable.
I'd purposely left my phone turned off, longing for one fucking night of enjoyment. I yanked the phone out of his hand, loathing interruptions. The noise behind me was deafening. I walked away but the applause seemed to follow me. "Yes?"
"Is this..." The man's voice was garbled.
"Kelan! Kelan!"
The screaming continued, forcing me to head closer to the building.
"What did you say? Speak louder."
"Is this Michael Cappalini?"
I almost ended the call. "Who exactly is this? You have two seconds before I'm hanging up."
"This is Dr. Wallace Tucker of the University Hospital. I'm sorry to inform you that your father has been in an... accident."
I'd heard those exact words before, said with the same hesitation the day that my mother had been brutally murdered. There was no sense of time as his words continued to echo in my ears. As if in slow motion, I tipped my head in Vincenzo's direction, locking eyes.
War had just begun. Kelan
"You sure ya wanna do this in here?" Grinder's gruff voice remained grating.
I shifted my gaze toward him, eyeing the hulking man. There was anger and even suspicions in his eyes, as if he believed I had something to do with the assassination attempt.
I'd assigned another man for my father's protection, knowing I'd need Grinder's assistance in other ways. My decision hadn't settled well with him. However, there were certain requirements within crime families, unwritten rules that would be followed by every capo and soldier alike. Whether I liked it or not, I was now in charge. The men didn't have to like or respect me, but they would follow orders. Keeping the Cosa Nostra safe had become the primary objective. Hell, I had indeed remembered everything my father had taught me.
"I'm certain. I don't want any attention drawn to the fact I'm involved. Do you understand?"
Grinder shifted back and forth from foot to foot, the same damn cold eyes. "Yes, boss."
I also needed his protection. I was no fool and he was bred for this kind of position. Heavily armed, there was nothing getting by the man. While I loathed the fact he as well as many of the others had already taken to calling me the boss, I didn't bother correcting him. The entire organization needed to feel some level of comfort.
"You swept the place?" I asked casually, remaining perched against the floor-to-ceiling window and staring out at the rippling water. The young woman my father had hired to maintain the pool had worked diligently during the morning, making certain everything was pristine. She'd undoubtedly faced my father's wrath at one time or another.
"Yeah, boss, three times today alone. Ain't nobody gettin' close to you. Your father would have my ass."
I checked my watch and sighed. Less than twenty-four hours had passed since my father's near execution. He'd been rushed into a twelve-hour surgery and now remained in intensive care. His prognosis wasn't great. "Then send them in when they arrive." I was risking having a meeting of this level of importance at my father's house, but the only people I was close to were supposed to be my enemies. The concept was ironic.
"Sure thing, boss."
"Oh, and Grinder, make certain we have plenty of booze."