As the men settled in the room and spoke nicely, I watched them, I could see clearly who my enemies were.
I saw the moment when Jullius left the room, so I knew that the men would take up their positions in a few minutes. I would tell a story while waiting for my sponsor to return.
— My grandfather always taught about the value of the family, my mother told me that my father was an honourable man and that he loved this family. And I am very proud to be part of it, so I will tell you a story. — Grandpa touched my knee with his cane and smiled warmly at me; there were very few times that I saw that smile.
— I grew up listening to my mother saying that although my father loved this family, he wanted me to stay out of business, if you know what I mean. I understand his desire, but I would never turn my back on the blood.
— As it is not known to everyone, I have some bad news to share. At my home in Rio, I was surprised to discover my bride's betrayal, she was caught in the act with my cousin Vincent. — Everyone was perplexed by the revelation. — But what appeared to be just an act of betrayal turned out to be something much more serious.
— For many years we are the target of a meticulous and cruel killer. Several members of our families were killed, among them my parents, the son of Giacomo Rizzo, the parents of Irina Matteo, and several accomplished men and members of the Commission, such as Guilhermo Sorrentino, father of our friend and brother Amato Sorrentino.
— During that time, men, women and even children disappeared from the map; my friend Aldo Rizzo unfortunately joined the list of missing persons. — I made a small gesture to Giacomo, who nodded in response understanding my reference
— For years this Commission has worked to find a link between the deaths, but the architect of the crimes was subtle and slippery, and left no clues behind. But a few days ago he made a mistake ... — the room was silent, everyone present had lost a relative or acquaintance in this plot. — He was wrong to betray the blood, he was wrong to betray the family, he was wrong to send Vincent to my house, and he was wrong to involve Irina in this story. The bastard had — l'idea sfortunata — to send a group of "kids" to attack me in the middle of the night to give me a "warning" — I emphasized the "kids" to call attention to their foolish mistake. — I think most of us understood that he is after the coins, but for that he would need to kill the avenger, the only one who could hinder his plans. And when the Commission decided to cancel the coin delivery ceremony, our executioner had his plans postponed, because even if he killed all the members of the Commission he would not have the coins, much less the secrets.
— Yes, my friends, the plan was well set up from the beginning; he knew that my father would defend him, so he was sure he would not be convicted of the death of the governor's son. When my grandfather decided to leave the organization following my father's request, he saw a chance to defeat the Commission, because a slight weakening would be enough to dismantle our entire organization. But the fall of the Commission would only be worthwhile if he could have the five coins, so he sold the families' rights in exchange for the Titolari di Segreti coins.
— But the Commission went ahead and cancelled the ceremony. A while ago I received my coin, but he didn't know what it was, and because of that he started to provoke me to know if I would be the one with the ability to rip his head off
— He took Irina's parents to his side, but my father brought them to reason, and they confessed that they helped the enemy to set up the ambush for Scaranzzo. Matteo had also said how he managed to corrupt Raffaello, who was addicted to amphetamines and other drugs; parties and orgies consumed him and by the time Raffaello woke up it was too late, he was afraid to put his parents and his best friend at risk if he said anything. Raffaello died taking the secret with him, but Matteo told everything he knew why they died; and my father was brutally murdered for trying to help those he loved. A few years later, when he came after me, my mother ordered me to hide on the roof, and while I was forced to stay under the one I did to her, I saw her being kicked to death, but she didn't say where I was.
The silence was blunt, everyone knew who I was talking about, but nobody dared to say it out loud or if they dared to look at him.
— When I caught Irina and Vincent in my bed I facilitated their escape. That same day I sent a message to the coin holders, knowing that they would understand the message, because if I followed the protocol all the members of the Commission would be dead. Hours later I went to meet an illustrious member, who handed me all the coins.
I am the one who owns your souls, he is mine until I decide the right time to delegate him.
While some elders laughed, others looked at me in surprise and somewhat incredulous. Vitto looked at me with deadly hatred, his teeth gritted with attention from his jaw, he held his cane so hard that I could hear the crackling of the wood.
— Yes, my friends, I have the coins safely stored. And if you want to know what is written on mine, I say… Quis custodiet ipsos custodes, I am the one who keeps the guardians and this family, this is my legacy; I am the judge, I am the jury, and I will be your executor. I know who you are, and I'm ready, come on!
Vitto screamed and drew his gun and pointed it at me. The members of the Commission and the others, automatically, did the same; most aimed at Vitto, but some aimed their weapons at me.
— Damn you! You are all traitors. And you, kid, are like him, a stone in my path to be eliminated.
He took aim and shot, but not at me, but at my grandfather. The lights went out and a great deal of smoke hit us, but I already expected something like this. Vitto managed to escape, but he would not go far.