The Don's Daughter: Love & Betrayal

Thirty One

De Luca

I step out of my car buttoning my suit jacket. I look at Fabian, who nods, understanding my silent message. I don't have to tell him to be alert. We're walking into a house we've never been to before and since I sent most of my guys to go look for Nev, we're kind of at a disadvantage here. Not that I expect a war to break out here or something but it doesn't hurt to be careful. The party is well underway. I don't know why Marco went to the trouble of throwing one when he rarely does that. Something's fishy and I'm hoping I'll find out what it is before its too late.

I still haven't figured why he met with Marianna. Did Lombardi send her? If so, why? Marco only gets involved when there is a conflict that needs resolving. We try to avoid fighting because the aftermath isn't pretty but sometimes it can't be avoided. Like now, the only reason I'm here is to ask him to stay put when I go after Lombardi. I don't want anyone getting in the middle trying to defend that bastard. It's time to settle old scores and if someone tries to stop me I will kill them. What reason could Marianna or Lombardi have to meet with Marco?

As we walk through the throng of people, I note that most of them are elegantly dressed and are holding a glass of champagne or wine. There are a few familiar faces who nod at me but don't dare to approach me. Which is good because I didn't come here to socialize. Right ahead of me are two guards standing outside a door. I move in that direction knowing its highly likely that Marco will be behind that door. When I'm a few feet away, the men move aside indicating that I'm allowed to go through. I'm thinking how odd that is until I open the door and see five familiar faces looking back at me.

The round table has seven chairs surrounding it. I assume the two empty ones belong to me and Marco. I don't know what's going on here but I'll be damned if I look clueless. Confidently, I walk to the chair closest to the door and take a seat. I shake Greco and Moretti's hands then nod to the others.

"De Luca, how is it going?" Lombardi asks smoking a cigar. I realize that there are more on a tray, in the middle of the table together with a bottle of whiskey and glasses. Unless it's the champagne everyone is drinking outside, I'm not touching anything.

"I'm still alive and kicking"

"I can see that. Think you can give me back my men's bodies? Even rats deserve a burial" he's trying to provoke me by mentioning the attack.

"I burnt them just like how I'll be burning you soon. As a matter of fact, I wanted to call a meeting but since you're all here, I will only say this once"

"Speak up boy, we're listening"

"I don't need your fucking permission to say anything" I snap glaring at Lombardi. The others sit back, as if getting ready to enjoy a show. I look each and every one of them in the eyes then say "I like how you bunch don't ever interfere when it's comes to the feud between me and Lombardi. I'd like you to keep that spirit up when I decide to take him out"

"You've got some balls to actually say that in front of me"

"I want you to know that I'm coming after you with everything I've got and I won't stop until one of us is six feet under"

"Are you sure you want to follow your old man so soon?"

Slapping my hands on the table, I push the chair back and stand up "I will avenge his death Lombardi. And the death of my men whom you killed mercilessly"

"I wouldn't have done that if you hadn't stolen from me"

"Are you kidding me? You fucking stole from me first. You are a piece of scum who uses his daughters to do his dirty work. I don't think anyone will miss you after you're gone"