Chapter 50: Epilogue 2—Massimo

I look from Tristan to Dominic sitting before me and rest my hands down on the table.

I have to reread the letter in my hands again just to process it in my head. Dominic brought it to me. It was left at D’Agostinos Inc., slipped under my office door.

It says:

Dear Massimo, You do not know me. But I know you, and I feel compelled to contact you in light of the information I’ve recently discovered.

There was so much more to what happened seven months ago when the Syndicate was obliterated.

There were more people involved than who you think. So many more who were responsible for the deaths of our loved ones. So many got their hands dirty to end our fathers.

Riccardo Balesteri was just a pawn in a bigger game to eradicate enemies. I urge you not to stand alone but to reform the Syndicate and lead. Be a leader.

It is only with the strongest alliances that you will be able to hunt your enemies, or war will come.

Good luck.

A friend Rage I’ve tried to calm fills me at the thought of more people involved in Pa’s death.

This letter answers questions I had on my mind.

I should have known that day when the bomb went off in the Syndicate building that more people could be involved. I should have known that more people must have been involved right from the time when we raised the alarm that Riccardo was involved in a plot to wipe out the Brotherhood and no one could find him nor Vlad. It didn’t make sense for that to happen given who the Syndicate was.

Now it’s clear as fucking day they had help.

I ball my fist and slam it down on the table.

“What are you going to do?” Tristan asks. “Reforming the Syndicate is not a bad idea, Massimo. They formed for a reason, and we have the next generation of leaders we can look to.”

I’ve purposely avoided talk of it because I didn’t know what to do. Many have contacted me, but I placed it on hold. Tristan is right, though. The Syndicate was formed for a reason. The wealth and assets I’ve accumulated are so vast it blows my mind. It was designed to be shared and used. But there was more to the Syndicate than wealth. The alliance of powerful men was solid and existed for generations. For the most part, though, they trusted each other.

“There are few I trust,” I reply.

“Maybe that’s why this guy suggested you take the lead. People you select to join you will be more trustworthy,” Dominic joins in. “And they’ve never had a leader. Maybe it’s time to change that.”

“I agree,” Tristan adds.

I think about it. About being a leader. The first thing I’d want as leader is vengeance.

It doesn’t take much for me to remember how it felt to hold my father dead in my arms. Knowing that more people were responsible for that makes me want vengeance.

“I want to hunt the fuckers responsible for Pa’s death.”

“Me too,” Tristan says through gritted teeth.

“And me,” Dominic adds. “I’m sure the remaining families from the Syndicate members will feel the same way when they find out more people were responsible for murdering their fathers that day.”

I look at the letter again. I’d have to inform the others. I don’t think anyone would decline my leading to get blood for fucking blood. I’d have strength in numbers.

“Reform and lead, Massimo,” Tristan imparts with a firm nod. “We’ll back you up like we always do.”

I gaze out to the beach and see my girl off in the distance, painting.

I promised I’d protect her from everything so we could have this life.

I don’t want the threat of war or anything to threaten our family. I want everything with her. The future with her and the children we’ll have.

She chose me to be her husband and protector. Pa chose me to take the lead on the business and the family. My brothers chose me because they believe in me.

It’s time to become who I’m supposed to be and take the lead, indeed. On everything.

“I’ll do it.”

The End for now. Keep reading for Book Two...