Chapter 19

Taking a slow breath, Luke closed his eyes, trying to calm himself. His chest was hurting, and he felt clammy. He knew it was stress and didn't know if he could take much more. It didn't help matters that his father seemed to have little confidence in him and left all the business matters in his lap to deal with. He didn't really blame, him. He loved his father and knew it was the best for the family. The fact was, he never wanted this; it was greatness thrust upon him. He wasn't made for this life, yet here he was, the Don of the struggling Gambino family with a leader who was on the brink of insanity.

"Dad, I need your permission to look into Roman for this. I think he's trying to take over the territory and cut us out of the shipping trades."

The grey hair man was silent for a moment. He didn't want any sort of issues with the D'Amico's, considering they had more people and far more gun power, not to mention much more pull in the Italian families.

"Do you really think Roman would do that, Son? You two were the best of friends, and suddenly you're pinning him for trying to interfere in our affairs?"

"Our drugs almost killed Beau once, Dad. Now he's dead and Roman blames me. Do you think if the roles were reversed you wouldn't suspect something?"

"I suppose not. It was my fault back then. I should have never made those deals with the street gangs. I was just looking at the money and it's cost us everything."

"You were not in your right mind, Dad."

"Eh, I was in good enough mind to make it happen, now wasn't I?" the man huffed.

"I don't blame you. Anyway, about Roman—"

Ignoring him, his father continued, "I worry that maybe you're into something you're not telling me about. I heard about those Serpent connections."

Luke gritted his teeth once more. "I told you, don't ask questions about that. That's my business, not yours."

Letting out a slow breath, he agreed, "Fine. Do what you must with Roman but keep it tight. Don't go and get yourself killed."

"I won't, father. I'll take care of this. When we find Claudia, I'll put an end to all this, and we'll be back on top." Taking a slow breath, he mumbled to himself, "I hope."

"In the meantime, we need to figure out how to get that money to the cartels. We don't need that weighing on us."

He was right. The cartels wouldn't wait for his family issues. They'd be ready for a fight if the money didn't come up soon, and Luke knew it.

"Have your man Octavio head to Colombia with some of our private stash as good faith. They like him. Let him tell them what's happening, and as soon as the wedding is over, I'll send them the money. Even if I have to pay it all myself."

"Be sure you do. You don't want them showing up on your wedding day. Those men are ruthless about their money and their product."

Luke dropped his head with a sigh. "Dad, if I can't find her, there will be no wedding day."

"Son, you don't have to marry Claudia. She was on her best behavior the other night, but you know that doesn't last long with her. Her family's money isn't worth sacrificing your happiness. I know you've been trying to learn to love that woman, but she's a nightmare and you know it. Hell, you haven't even met her family in Italy. She claims to be from old money but all she does is spend yours."

"I have to do this. If not, we'll lose everything."

Disgusted with himself, Luke hated to even admit to himself that Claudia was blackmailing him. If he didn't get her back, the Ricci family would make good on their promise to end his family connections, and his entire life would fall to ruin. She already had told him her father would have his family killed if he didn't comply with their demands. The Ricci connections, through his father's people, were what was keeping their little crime family afloat. The Ricci's were one of the most notorious crime families in the old country and he didn't stand a chance against them.

His father's voice was graveled over the other line as he cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Son. I failed you. I'm just not as strong as I used to be, or I'd be helping more. I know you think I left you with all this, but I had no choice."

"No, it's not your fault. You're sick, Papa. No one blames you. That infection you in your head, from that hunting trip to the Amazon, messed up your mind for a while, and you made some bad choices. You can't help you're still sick. I'm working to fix it, so don't worry. I'll learn to love her, somehow. Just try to find a way from her family from finding out that she's missing. We don't need more death on our hands."

"On it. Take care of this Roman situation and we will deal with the rest in due time."

"All right, I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Son."

Hanging up the phone, Luke ran his hand over his face. Seeing the pain in his eyes, his friend and security guard stepped up, patting his shoulder. Ricco was an old high school buddy and a small-time hustler turned hitman.

"Are you okay, man? How's your dad?"

"He'll be fine. But we must get Claudia back before the Ricci's find out she's gone. Her grandfather is ruthless from what I my dad says. I haven't met the Ricci's from the old country, but I hear they don't play games. They'd just assume shoot you that look at you. They run the head of the five families and her father is the Godfather over them all"

Rubbing his chin, the blonde man thought for a moment. "Shit. That's not goo. But... You haven't even met her father, Luke. Maybe she was bluffing about him wanting to kill us for whatever happened over there."

"Do you want to risk it?" he asked, looking at his friend like had lost his mind. "The Ricci's have deep connections to almost every crime family in the country. They'll put a hit out for my entire family and all my men. I can't let that happen."

"What did she do, Luke? What's she holding over your head?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it."

"I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."

"I said don't worry about it!" he yelled.

He had no intention of talking about the real reason he had to marry her. Not only was it the biggest mistake of his life, but it was also humiliating for someone who was meant to be the head of a crime family. He just hoped Claudia would keep her word and not betray him.