Balotelli-Bale Series Book #6: Regina Mia & The Godfather Part 1

Chapter 55: Allies

Moretti's POV
There are ten families but only eight are around this table. For some reason, Lombardi and Belucci cannot be found. They are close allies. Conti and Rossi always have my back. But now, Rossi is beginning to lean to the other side. I have added a new member in Mancini's absence, someone who is indebted to me. Vicari. This way, the vote cannot be absolute.

They are arguing over this. I'm simmering with rage over their lack of disregard for my authority. They never questioned Mancini. If he gave an order they would sit quietly and nod. I want them to fear me like that.

I banged my fists on the table. They fell into silence at once! My eyes looked around the room viciously, all of them making eye contact.

"There is nothing to discuss! She murdered Mancini and it is only natural that she dies too!"

"I don't agree with you." Bianchi countered.

Of course he disagrees. Bianchi has one foot in Mancini and the other in Balotelli. Who does he serve really?

"Reason being?" I asked him.

"It's impossible that someone her size would kill Mancini! He's a big man!" Some found his statement amusing.

I heard that dainty woman had an encounter with Russian men and they died. I heard that Popov even apologized to her. Daniil Popov apologizing is unheard of! In any other situation where I wasn't behind all this, I wouldn't put it past her to make an attempt on Mancini's life.

"Our boss is dead." I told them. "There is nothing amusing."

They became serious. "But who made you boss?" Tancredi questioned me. He's another Balotelli sympathizer.

"I'm the one he trusted the most."

Bianchi openly scoffed. "I'm the one he trusted the most. The last time I checked, you were put at arms length for Giorgio's murder."

I had nothing to do with Giorgio's death. That was definitely Balotelli but I just can't prove it.

"In my opinion, one of his son's should succeed him." Valenti addressed us.  "Not you."

I hate that man!

"His remaining sons are wimps. They don't have the spine for this." Conti spoke for me. "The thing with Giorgio was only a misunderstanding. Mancini would have come to his senses eventually. We all know Moretti is his fiercest capo."

Valenti burst out laughing in defiance. The rest of his supporters did so too. I'm enraged by this behavior!

"I still don't see how any of this makes him the boss." Tancredi again.

"We haven't even seen his body. We are not convinced that Mancini is simply dead just like that!" Gallo spoke up.

"And he even has the audacity to bring in new members to the table and we hav not even buried the boss." Valenti pointed out again.

All attention shifted to Vicari. He's a young man in his twenties. The other men here are much older. He offered a polite fleeting smile and kept his eyes on me.

The night Mancini was murdered couldn't have been more perfect. The wedding made everyone mellow. No one was on guard as usual. It was easy for my assassin to enter Mancinis room and conceal herself. I told her to wait until the moment was perfect. She picked the moment after he climaxed, when he was at his weakest. That is when she attacked him. I did not count on Keira escaping. How did she escape? How? I was going to execute her before anyone else showed up but the night took a different turn. Someone called Russo and he would not let me see Mancini.