Prologue
Alfonzo Romero and Sergio Stoll were both the head of their respective family businesses. Both were very smart, powerful, and feared. There had never been bad blood between the two men. Although they would cross paths occasionally, each family knew to stay in their own territory.
Over time, as families changed, it became harder to keep them apart. With the territory lines beginning to blur, both men opted for a meeting. It was mutually decided that all their men weren’t necessary; just the capo bastone or second-in-command. For both men, their sons, Noah Romero and Derrick Stoll, served as capos. These were the men who would ultimately step up once Alfonzo and Sergio were no longer in their positions. It was only right for them to witness the meeting.
The Romero residence, where the meeting was to take place, was exquisite. There was a large metal gate that surrounded the property. The placement of gigantic oak trees along the property line made it nearly impossible to see the residence. Small shrubs bordered the long driveway that looped into a circle in front of the house.
When Sergio pulled up, the double glass doors at the entrance were already open. The size of the doors made the man standing at the entryway look small, which was far from the truth. Standing over six feet tall, Alfonzo towered over most people. Like most men with a lot of authority and money, Alfonzo always wore custom-made suits. Today was no different.
“Sergio!” Alfonzo walked down the stairs; arms opened wide.
The two men greeted one another warmly, shaking hands. “Ciao!”
Having been born in Italy and immigrating to America in their teens, their homeland largely shaped their beliefs.
Following the greeting, Sergio and a couple of his bodyguards followed Alfonzo inside. The foyer was massive. Its marble tile flooring and bright white walls gave it a museum-like entrance. A few statues lined the wall, alongside a grand staircase curving upwards to the second floor.
Alfonzo led Sergio through the house to his office. Naturally, it was spacious, boasting leather furnishings and plenty of seating for all the men. Noah was at his father’s desk when Sergio arrived at the office.
“My son should be here shortly. I was hoping for his arrival before we proceed,” Sergio said, settling into a large armchair.
“Certainly. Care for a drink while we wait?” Not waiting for a reply, Alfonzo headed for the bar. Taking two glasses, he poured drinks into both.
Alfonzo briefly looked at Noah, who subtly shook his head. He needed a clear head for this meeting.
While Noah didn’t know the specific details of this meeting, he knew the men would not be this civil for long. As much as the two families respected each other, they were still rivals. Noah wasn’t naïve. He knew putting the two biggest crime families together in one house would not be a simple matter.
Noah started working alongside his father at a young age. Unlike him, his sister had a childhood that was somewhat normal. She was unfamiliar with the intricacies of the family business. Their father never wanted her involved, but she wasn’t a moron. She saw the people that came and went from his office. People just like men sitting here now, making small talk like old friends. Which everyone in the room knew was far from reality.
Logan and Derrick sat in the back of the black Ford Expedition. Logan D’Angelo, for lack of a better description, was Derrick’s capo bastone. Logan was to serve as Derrick’s underboss once Derrick assumed control of the family business. Although it was unfortunate to say, Derrick trusted Logan more than his own father.
“Boss, what’s the point of this meeting?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Derrick shook his head, “I don’t know, but my father never does anything unless he benefits from it. That being said, this will not just be a social call.”
The men’s expected arrival allowed them to enter the property without issue. The first thing that struck Derrick as he approached the Romero home was the significant security. Romero’s security detail surpassed even his father’s considerable protection. Derrick couldn’t decide if that made him smart or paranoid. It was probably a little of both.
A large man, probably the head guard, met them at the door and escorted them to the office. While walking, a statue sidetracked Derrick. Despite its odd appearance, it caught his attention.
“Hideous, isn’t it?”
Turning, Derrick noticed a young woman standing on the stairs. If he had to guess, he would say about nineteen or twenty years old. Her beauty was striking. That was undeniable. Because he’d met Alfonzo’s wife, Charlene Romero, before, Derrick was sure this was their daughter. She was almost the spitting image of her mother.
Derrick nodded for Logan to continue on before replying, “I would say, detailed?”
As she walked down the stairs, she laughed, then came to stand by his side. People rarely spoke casually to Derrick. People viewed him as intimidating, a trait common to the Stoll family.
“My mother purchased it at an auction a few years back. When she died, my father couldn’t bring himself to take it down,” she subtly glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
He was surprised by how relaxed she appeared to be with him. He questioned whether she recognized him. Not that it really mattered, though. She was most likely familiar with his type. She was the daughter of one of the biggest crime bosses in the area. If there was one thing he’s learned over the years, it’s don’t underestimate the women in this business.
“Ivy!”
They both looked as someone approached. Even though he spoke one word, to Derrick the man appeared arrogant and obnoxious. Seeing Derrick caused him to stop instantly. That was the reaction he was used to getting. Unlike the carefree one Ivy had given him.
“Dean,” Ivy said, responding in a mocking tone.
Dean, of course, Philario Russo’s son. That should have been obvious to Derrick. He’d never actually met the Russos before, but he’d heard stories. Mr. Russo seemed like an intelligent man. His son, on the other hand, didn’t have an intelligent bone in his body.
Dean yanked her arm and pulled her to the side. “What are you doing down here?”
With a jerk, Ivy removed her arm from his hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I answered to you. I think you are forgetting your place.”
Derrick fought to keep from smirking but struggled. She had a fiery personality. Some poor man was going to have his hands full with her one day.
Before Derrick could comment, Ivy turned to look at him. “It was nice talking to you, Mr. Stoll.”
Derrick’s eyes slightly squinted. So, she did know who he was. He wasn’t sure what to make of the way she addressed him. Before he could respond, she turned and went back up the stairs.
Don’t look at her ass. Don’t look at her ass.
He heard someone clear their throat and looked over to see Dumbass Dean. Derrick inwardly rolled his eyes. He didn’t even know this guy, but something about him rubbed Derrick the wrong way.
Dean, slightly embarrassed, guided Derrick down a long hallway, offering to show him Mr. Romero’s office.
Derrick walked in on what sounded like a heated discussion. Not that it shocked him. Despite aiming for a calm meeting, the high testosterone levels in the room would create problems. As Derrick shut the door, all eyes fell upon him.
“Figlio!” Derrick’s father greeted him.
“What’s going on?” Derrick asked to the room, but studied Logan.
He knew Logan wouldn’t respond; it wasn’t his place. Derrick and Logan had a way of silently communicating, though. He would know the truth by the look on Logan’s face, and his face told Derrick he was right. His father had his own agenda for calling this meeting.
Sergio, taking a drink, calmly reported a leak about the Romero crew’s attempt to take their territory.
His confusion was plainly visible on Derrick’s face. It was completely out of character for Romero to pull something like this. Unfortunately, his father was so wrapped up in controlling every part of the city, he would start this war, whether or not he believed it. This was exactly what his father was waiting for.
“That is bullshit!” Alfonzo yelled, “I would never demand such a ridiculous request! If you believe I would, Sergio, you can go to hell!”
Alfonzo was extremely upset, rightfully so. He didn’t like people putting words into his mouth. If this was a decision he had made, he would own up to it. Since it wasn’t his decision, he wouldn’t accept accusations or responsibility.
“Where did you get this information?” Derrick asked his father.
Sergio glared at him. “Are you calling me a liar, ragazzo?”
Derrick didn’t respond. Even though Sergio was Derrick’s father, he was still the boss. Derrick knew better than to speak up against him, at least in public. So, he stood back and let the two bosses yell it out, listening very hard for any clues he could pick up on how this all started.
Derrick’s main concern was talking his father out of war. Not that he didn’t think they couldn’t win. That wasn’t the point. Starting a war that wasn’t justified and killing innocent people was not what the Stolls were about.
The rest of the meeting was, predictably, a disaster. Derrick’s father wouldn’t reveal his source. The Romeros continued to deny their participation in the territorial takeover. Derrick wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to now, though. He would. If a war was going to start either way, might as well fight.
Luckily, although his father was being unreasonable, he wouldn’t start anything at that moment. They would all be able to leave with no physical confrontation. Despite the unlikelihood, Derrick hoped to change his father’s mind.
