That’s not an option. We don’t go behind each other’s backs, and we do not go against direct orders from the boss. There is a hierarchy in this family for a reason. And although I don’t get involved in any of the illegal shit anymore, I’m still a made man. I’m still a De Bellis brother. That will never change.

* * *

“You can’t be fucking serious.” Gio’s voice echoes off the walls of his office. I knew he wasn’t going to like what I came here to say. I also knew that this was a conversation for all five of us to have together. Which is why I had everyone meet us here.

Vin was the last one to turn up. He was fifteen minutes late, and even after he arrived, he took his sweet-ass time making sure Cammi was comfortable with El before he’d leave her side. Sometimes I worry about their relationship. Those two are too dependent on each other. Don’t get me wrong… I’d be fucking lost if anything happened to my wife. But we have a son. We have another reason to live if, for some reason, we were torn apart.

Cammi and Vin are each other’s complete world. Anyone can see that. And with Cammi’s heart condition, well, I don’t ever want to have to watch another sibling lose themselves again… if the worst were to happen…

“I’m serious. And this isn’t a business matter, Gio. It’s a family one. This needs to be something we all live with,” I tell my brother, after suggesting we set up a meeting with our mother.

“Mary De Bellis is dead,” Gio states calmly.

“Except she’s not,” Marcel counters.

“I can fix that,” Gio mutters under his breath.

“I have a question for her,” Vin chimes in from where he’s standing by the door.

“What question?” Santo tilts his head in our baby brother’s direction.

Vin lifts a shoulder. “Just a question. Set up the meeting, Gio. As soon as it’s over, you can kill her. Or not. I don’t care. I just have one question for her.”

Gio looks from Vin to me, then over to Santo, and lastly at Marcel. He shakes his head and sighs. “Fine. Get your questions ready because I’m only doing this once. That’s more than the woman fucking deserves.”

“It’s not for her, Gio. It’s for us,” I tell him.