A Mob Boss's Family (Book 2 Of The New York Mafia Trilogy)

20. His Troubled Mind

Francesco took a deep breath " You really want to know? I tell you because you made me feel satisfied by saying you are mine..... That was the peace treaty with my uncle and my father. That was the piece of paper that stated the terms of our agreement. One of those terms has been broken. Now it's war time. I am going to go after my uncle and my father with all I have. I would put them on trial where I will be judge and executer. I would make them answer for their crimes. I would torture their souls like how they did mine. They hurt me by ripping away my loved ones. I would rip them apart as retaliation. They will pay for hurting me, for hurting my brother, for hurting my relationship with you and for turning my mother against her own sins. That's the big news sweetheart. The big news you wanted to hear. My mother has given in. My father wants to marry her. They were meant to get married in a double wedding ceremony in Sicily at the same time as my uncle and his wife renewed their wedding vows. My father was in Sicily trying to do just that before he was assassinated. That's what you wanted to hear. I have lost my father, my uncle, my mother.... I even denounce my uncle's wife as my aunt today. Anyone who sympathises with my uncle is as guilty as him in my eyes. I disown them all... Even my mother has to pay if she truly lives my father and has forgiven him. She would stand my trial too if she truly has turned a blind eye to the crimes of her ex husband. How could she Adele? How could she forget what my father did to Costanzo and I? How could she discard that from her memory? How could she forget and forgive all he did to her and agreed to marry him...."

Adele was looking shocked " Francesco .... I am so .... Sorry... But are you sure?"

Francesco laughed bitterly " Unfortunately I made sure to double check. Sadly I am sure. I sent telegrams to my contacts in Sicily. They td me all about it and much more. My mother is at the hospital sleeping in the same bed as my father nursing him. There is no betrayal above that. I can't forgive them. I can't forgive my father, my uncle and not my mother. They will face my wrath. I am taking us to Sicily after thanksgiving. I am taking enough security with me and will sort this nonsense out."

Adele couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had been shaking her head while she was hearing Francesco's words. She didn't want to make things worse so she wanted to speak carefully or not speak at all but it couldn't be worse than this. She stuttered " Don't talk like this. Please. There has to be another way. This is a family problem. It happens to every family. You shouldn't think like this..."

Francesco spoke " Think like what sweetheart? This is my verdict. Costanzo and I were the ones who had to go through hell at my fathers hands all these years. We were the ones who had to grow up without even seeing our mother no thanks to my father and my uncle. I suffered. Costanzo suffered. Our relationship suffered as they tore us apart... They have to pay."

Adele spoke in a desperate tone " How can taking revenge solve anything?...."

Francesco spoke " It would solve everything. It would put my mind at ease. It would prove that I am not weak. I want to show them I am strong enough to crush them if I wish it now." Adele was feeling Francesco getting more agitated and sounding more distant now.

Adele spoke "Please don't talk like that. You must be hurting but what about Costanzo. He was hurt too as you say. Don't you think this may not be what he would do?"

Francesco's expression hardened. His business mode was slowly coming back " He would do as I say and as I decide but .... he will be allowed to have a say. But nothing will change the fact that those responsible have to suffer. I may not punish my mother since she has suffered enough but I might banish her. Her crime is loving my father. I can't comprehend her betrayal. How can she forgive that monster. How can she forget? How dare she?" His tone made Adele tremble in fear. The cold Francesco was back. His voice had any emotion now.

This side of him was scaring Adele " Francesco. You have to think rationally. Not emotionally. Hurting your family wouldn't help you settle things. Making your family members suffer wouldn't calm you down ...."

Francesco spoke " But it will. Justice must be served. But sweetheart ... Don't call them my family. From now on I disown them."

Adele gasped "Francesco. You cant say that. You cant give up on your family."

Francesco spoke firmly "Sweetheart. I already have. Its all over."

Adele pleaded "How about our future? How about our family? Don't you want our .... children to have a family? Wouldnt you want them to have their grandparents around them?" Adele noticed some emotion flashing across Francesco's eyes. There were some emotions there. Adele knew that Francesco felt something as she finished her sentence. But of course Francesco masked his feelings with a passive emotionless expression and cleared his throat "That's .... irrelevant now. We have no children. Now why don't you go to bed sweetheart while I finish off some arrangements?"

Adele spoke "You didn't answer my question. It is relevant. Why should I go to bed now if you don't also do the same?"

Francesco spoke "I have answered your question sweetheart. That was my response. Don't question me further or I may get angry. We talked enough about this for tonight. Now I need to go to speak to Costanzo. After that I will come to bed. I promise. Now be a good and go to bed or I will carry you to bed."