Chapter 121
121
The day of the funeral was somber. Leonardo was buried in a small field near the olive groves, next to a marble tombstone belonging to his wife.
Other than the immediate family and the foot soldiers who worked for them, 50 people attended – strangers I had never seen before. Middle-aged men with grey streaking their hair. Wives dressed in black. They said their condolences to Fausto and the brothers, then left shortly afterwards in limousines.
Members of the Cosa Nostra. The heads of families from across Italy.
Back at the house, the servants put out food for the few visitors who stuck around. I was standing guard when Niccolo came over and whispered, “There’s a meeting in the parlor. Dario’s on the phone. He requested you be included p>
“Alright,” I said, then followed Niccolo into the foyer.
I hadn’t talked to Dario yet; I hadn’t had the chance. From what Niccolo had told me, Dario had gone insane with grief and rage when they told him his father had died – especially when he realized that they could have told him the night before and that they had robbed him of the chance to say goodbye. He had struck a guard in his anger and been beaten and thrown into solitary confinement for 72 hours.
We entered the parlor. All the brothers were there, as well as Fausto and Aurelio.
A cell phone was sitting on the coffee table in the center of the room. Everybody was huddled around it.
“We’re here,” Niccolo announced loudly as he shut the door.
“Is Lars with you?” Dario’s voice called out from the phone. He sounded like a different man – broken and alone.
“I’m here,” I said. “I’m so sorry, Dario p>
“Thank you. Thank you,” he repeated, and I could hear the grief in his voice.
“What I want to know,” Adriano said with barely contained rage, “is why the fuck we have to do this today, of all days p>
Fausto replied calmly, “Because a great many things have to happen… and it’s best if we chart our course now so we don’t become confused in the days ahead. I know it’s painful… I’m grieving, too… but it needs to be done p>
Adriano looked like he wanted to reach across and throttle his uncle. “This is fucking BULLSHIT – ”
“Adriano,” Dario said wearily over the phone. “Enough p>
Adriano immediately fell silent.
“What are you thinking,” Dario said, and it was obvious the question was directed at his uncle.
“I would like your blessing to start my own family,” Fausto said. “Aurelio will join me. I would like half your father’s business in Tuscany… and the entirety of Florence p>
“No fucking WAY,” Adriano snarled.
“Why?” Aurelio sneered. “Because you think you’re going to run it someday p>
Adriano leapt to his feet, hands balled into fists.
The other brothers began arguing, too –
A cacophony of voices filled the room –
“QUIET!” Dario roared over the phone.
Everyone went silent.
When Dario spoke again, his voice was neutral. “I’ll have to talk with my brothers separately, but I’m amenable to starting your own family and taking half our territory. However, Florence is out of the question p>
Fausto frowned. “Dario – ”
“With all due respect, Uncle, I’M the one who went to prison to protect our position in Florence, not you. I didn’t agree to spend four years in San Vittore only to give up the crown jewel p>
Fausto took a respectful pause. “I realize that, Dario, but – ”
“My decision is final, Uncle. I’m willing to compromise on everything else… but not Florence p>
Now it was Aurelio who looked like he might kill someone.
Adriano just smiled at him with a Fuck you expression.
Niccolo spoke up beside me. “You realize, Uncle Fausto, that we’re willing to split our father’s business territory because of the love and affection we have for you, and in gratitude for your 25 years of service to the family. But you’re not owed anything p>
Fausto smiled. “Spoken like a true consigliere. I taught you well, Machiavelli p>
Niccolo gave a tight smile back. “Then you’ll understand why you’re not getting Florence p>
Fausto sighed. “All right. We can discuss the geographical boundaries now, or – ”
“I’m not going to be able to stay on the phone much longer,” Dario said. “I’d like a moment of privacy with my brothers p>
“Understood,” Fausto said. “Thank you, Dario… and I’m truly sorry for the timing p>
“Thank you, Uncle,” Dario replied, though he didn’t exactly sound warm as he said it.
“Come, Aurelio,” Fausto said as he walked towards the foyer.
Aurelio gave his cousins one last hateful look, followed his father out of the room, and shut the door behind him.
“Are they gone?” Dario asked.
“They are,” Niccolo said. “Are you sure about this p>
“He wants to go. We need to give him something, or it will only breed resentment p>
“Agreed, but – ”
“I have to go soon, and we need to elect a new don p>
Niccolo looked at the others. “I say we put it to a vote. Everyone in favor of Dario becoming the new don p>
Niccolo raised his hand – and every other brother raised his hand without hesitation.
I raised mine, as well.
Niccolo smiled. “You don’t technically get a vote, Lars, but let the record show that you voted in accordance with everyone else. It’s unanimous, Dario – or, should I say… Don Rosolini p>
“Don Rosolini,” the other brothers said in unison.
There was a long pause. When he finally spoke, Dario sounded choked up. “Thank you, brothers. And thank YOU, Lars – I appreciate the show of support p>
I smiled in embarrassment. Everyone else chuckled kindly.
“I will do my best to bear the great responsibility you’ve entrusted me with and to be worthy of the honor. As my first act, I appoint Niccolo as my consigliere. Any objections p>
No one said a word.
“Good. Niccolo, I give you full authority to negotiate with Fausto on my behalf. No need to clear your decisions with me – I trust your judgment p>
“Thank you, Don Rosolini,” Niccolo said somberly.
“I have to go. Know that my heart is with you… and that I love you all. Goodbye p>
Everyone murmured goodbye, and the line went dead.
Niccolo exhaled heavily and looked around at his brothers.
“Well… so begins a new era,” he said. “Let’s make Papa proud. Lars, would you please bring Fausto and Aurelio back in p>
“Of course,” I said, then walked over to the parlor door.
When I opened it, I was immediately struck by what I saw.
Fausto stood there by the foot of the stairs with Aurelio next to him.
He was surrounded by foot soldiers – one of whom was bent over Fausto’s hand and kissing a ring on his finger.
I noticed that every single man surrounding him was one of the old-timers.
“They’re ready for you,” I announced.
Fausto smiled at me and walked back into the parlor like a king entering his court.
Aurelio followed close behind. He didn’t even spare me a glance as I shut the door behind us.