The mansion's doors were strong and sumptuous, but they were not as imposing as the coat of arms and the name Venni carved in the wood, two thick oak leaves carved by hand, adorned the family motto: "Sanguinem intus no foris".
A few days ago I was able to better understand what those sayings meant to my parents and grandfather. I was ready to show all my enemies what it meant to mess with Venni's blood.
— My boy, thank God! How good to see you. — she said excitedly. — Why are you so skinny? Blessed Virgin, you are choir and bone, Ricco.
— How much I exaggerate, godmother, I'm fine. — I kissed my Genna and left her chattering downstairs alone, and went towards the bedroom.
Mio Nonno knew of my presence, and keeping him waiting was not an attitude I did. I confess that I expected to find a debilitated old man, lying in bed and under the blankets, but when I passed the doors of his rooms I saw an old man in his wool pants and slippers trying a cricket swing. The real surprise was receiving a shot in the head followed by shouting and complaints.
— What idiots was that? Explain why you let Vinci run?
— Hello Grandma! It is good to see you too. — I approached slowly fearing a new attack but kissed his ring as I always did. — And just for the record, what made you think I let Vincent run?
— I know you, my grandson, I know I wouldn't make such a stupid mistake, it's easy to deduce that if he ran away it was because you left.
— Grandpa, he and Irina didn't run away, someone took them out. And yes, maybe I made it easy for that to happen.
— You are crazy? Are you playing with fire? The Commission has been trying for years to find out who this maledetto is, and you let him getaway?
— I know that Vincent and Irina are traitors, but I also know that they would not open their mouths even under torture.
— You young people are very soft, in my time I used to get information from anyone.
— Even a member of the Commission? — my grandfather's eyes widened, the club fell from his hands, and he looked at me in astonishment.
— What do you mean by that, son? A member of the Commission would not make such a stupid mistake.
— No? Vincent was a grown man and was from the family; Irina Matteo had her parents killed because they decided not to betray the Commission, my father helped them in the beginning.
— Vincenzo? How did that prick do this without the Commission's knowledge?
— Grandpa, my parents knew who the traitor was, so they wanted to run away; Dad planned to take us to a safe place and return to pick them up. The target was not my parents, it was always me and the coin holders.
— It can't be ... — Grandpa was thoughtful. — nobody is aware of them but the Commission and the holders themselves.
— That is why my father did not hand him over, he would put the Commission at risk and all secrets could be exposed.
— My son proved with his own life that he was worthy of the coin, he was the guardian of the guardians.
Everything revolved around the family, and everything was by blood, life was by blood, our death was by blood, and it was no different from my father.
— Grandpa, the traitor was never an outsider. Our enemy has always been inside.
— The blood traitor eats with me at the table and drinks from my glass."— Il traditore del sangue mangia con me al tavolo e beve dal mio Bicchieri."
— Yes, grandpa. The enemy can also come from within.
— You should go out, son. Leave that to the Commission to resolve, we are all old. I need you to leave, I swore to your mother that I would keep you alive.
Restless, I paced back and forth thinking of a way to convince Grandpa to help me with the plan. I would not leave it to the elders to resolve, after all, it was the Commission that painted a target on my back by giving me the coin and making me the avenger.
I know that my grandfather will confirm your suspicions and I expect exactly that. He's the only one able to make me a live bait and I'm counting on that. I just hope I can escape before it's too late.
— Not! Don't look at me like that ... I swore to your mother that I would keep you alive, I won't do any of that.
— Yes, grandpa, you will. This is my legacy, I am the avenging angel, I was prepared to take on this responsibility for my entire life. Now, does it tell you how you were poisoned? — I asked unconventionally.
— Someone was giving me arsenic ... I thought an old man my age would die easily from poisoning; little do they know that my health is better than that of many boys out there. — Grandpa laughed, but just like the ambush in Rio and the rescue of Irina and Vincent, I got the message.
But I didn't want to tell him about my intentions, Grandpa is very smart and could put my plans to waste.
— Grandpa, now that I'm in Vennidt, you could call a meeting like the old ones. What do you think? — I asked.
***
Two days after my arrival, the former keepers and their families were gathered around our gigantic dinner table, and like good Italians, the conversation flowed easily, memories and friendships were revived with a good party. But when the food was served, the conversations stopped, nothing was heard but the noise of cutlery on the plate and the rustling of napkins, meals are always sacred.
The godmother prepared a feast, an abundance of pasta, bread, cheese, sauces, olive oil, meat, and fish; and had inspected the entire kitchen like a sniffer dog, made sure that no one would die in his home.
At the head of the table sat Grandpa and Giacomo Rizzo, this one with his family around him. I sat at Grandpa's right, and Uncle Vitto was not very happy with the seating.
The rest of the guests were spread out strategically across the table, among them were the five elders and the former coin holders, whom most did not know who they were.
At the end of the meal, we took the party to the living room, and while liquors were being distributed, the bathroom tenors tore our ears with old Italian melodies.
I was having a warm conversation with my sponsor when Grandpa raised his hands to get the attention of everyone in the room, and because he was a beloved and respected member, everyone looked at him. Then I knew that the second part of my plan was beginning. Jullius gave my shoulder a little squeeze, and I knew he would also have to be aware.
Grandpa started his speech.
— My family shamed this Commission twice, but we redeemed ourselves once because my son Vicenzo proved his worth, honoured the name Venni — Uncle Vitto shrank slightly at that mention. — And today your son takes his place, all the family business, and he also takes my place in the Commission. Riccardo, it is your duty to protect this family, that is your legacy, and from now on your uncle and I, as well as each member, employee, or associate of the family will answer you. Everything is yours, my son.
The entire room was silent, for it had never been heard that a ring had been passed with its owner still alive.
But Giacomo Rizzo got up and, leaning on his cane, went to meet Grandpa, kissed both cheeks, greeted him, then removed the ring from the patriarch of the Venni family and walked towards me. I knelt to receive the blessing, as the parish priest came up to say the prayer of Saint Michael the Archangel.
— For this family and the blood, for all the families, for the legacy and inheritance! — declared Giacomo, who put the ring on my finger and kissed my cheek, as he did with my grandfather.
— For the family and the blood! — echoed all.
I said the prayer of Saint Michael the Archangel, who was the patron of my family.
''Glorious St. Michael the Archangel,
powerful winner of spiritual battles,
come to my needs
Spiritual and temporal.
Get away from my presence all evil
And all enemy attacks and snares.
With his powerful sword of light,
defeat all evil forces
and light my ways
With the light of your protection.
Archangel Michael,
from evil: set me free;
from the enemy: deliver me;
from storms: help me;
from dangers: protect me;
from persecutions: save me!
Glorious St. Michael the Archangel,
by the heavenly power bestowed upon you,
be the brave warrior for me
And led me on the paths of peace.
Amen!
A chorus of "amen" was heard.
Grandpa's lawyers brought all the documentation regarding the transfer of the assets, but it was all symbolic since we knew that the killer could try to get it before it was registered.
— Grazie, Bartolo. The original documentation has already been filled in and registered, and Ricco's inheritance took effect a few days ago. Now I want to rest, and I trust my grandson Riccardo Venni just as I trusted his father.
— Thank you, grandpa. I will honour and defend this family until my death.
Even though he was red, Uncle Vitto tried to say that it was a wise decision, because when "Il capo parla, gli Altri Stanno zitti;" but my godfather and I saw his fury.
Everyone came to greet me and kiss the ring, one by one, the elders kissed me on the cheek, and the members of the Commission and my friends kissed my ring, even the youngest came to congratulate me as a sign of respect. When Vitto's turn came, he put his best smile on his face and kissed me not just twice, but three times, and I knew what that meant.
After all the congratulations, I invited the members of the Commission to speak privately.
— Would you like a coffee in the meeting room? I believe that ladies and ladies have a lot of conversations to catch up.
The men continued laughing and talking as loudly as ever.