Mafia Kings: Adriano: Chapter 23

I knew something big had changed between Adriano and the others. An icy silence filled the car on the trip back to the warehouse.

I looked at him questioningly, but he gave me a subtle shake of his head. Not now.

I nodded and just held my mother.

When we got to the warehouse, all the men were bustling around and packing the cars – including the ones riddled with bullet holes.

Adriano stepped out of the Mercedes and clapped his hands once to get everybody’s attention.

All the men stopped what they were doing and turned to watch him.

“I’m sending you guys back to the family compound. I want you to know it wasn’t anything you did. It’s a strategic choice, and that’s all. There’s somebody out there gunning for our family, and we don’t know who it is.

“What we do know is they wiped out the Agrellas’ entire organization in one night. Some of you saw the safe house, and I’m sure the rest of you heard about it. We also think they killed Don Agrella and his entire family.”

The men muttered and looked at each other in shock.

“That’s why you’re going home – so we can plan the next move. I just want you to know that I couldn’t be prouder of you guys. I pushed you hard tonight. I made you take some big risks, and you came through for me. All of you. Thank you. I’ll remember what you did tonight, I promise. Now get outta here and get home safe.”

The men started piling into the cars. Dario went and talked one-on-one with Cosimo and Elio, the two men who had been shot.

I could see his respect for them in how he carried himself – the way he shook hands with both of them.

Then he came back to me, my mother, Lars, and Massimo.

“Take Bianca’s mom back with you and keep her safe, alright?” he asked Massimo and Lars. “I know I pissed off both of you tonight, but I’m asking you as a personal favor – make sure she’s safe, okay?”

“You know we will,” Lars said.

“Of course,” Massimo said sourly, like he was annoyed Adriano had suggested it might be otherwise.

“Alright.” Adriano turned to my mom. “My family’s gonna take care of you, and I’m gonna take care of your daughter, okay? If your husband calls you on your cell phone, you tell my brothers immediately. And you tell your husband we’ll guarantee his safety, okay? If he won’t listen, tell him to call Bianca, and she and I will go get him. Alright?”

My mother still looked terrified – but now she also looked confused. She was used to dealing with Sergio and the Agrellas, who were complete assholes. To be treated with respect by a mafioso was a new and bewildering experience for her.

To be honest, I was having trouble wrapping my head around it myself.

She looked at me.

“It’s okay, Mama,” I said. “You can trust him.”

“Bianca… please, come with us,” she pleaded.

“I can’t – I’ve got to find Papa. You know that.”

She started crying and hugged me. “He doesn’t deserve you…”

I laughed. “He doesn’t deserve you, either. Now go with them and I’ll see you soon. I promise.”

She cried a little bit more, gave me one last hug, and allowed Lars to lead her away.

As Massimo was walking off, I put my hand on his arm to stop him.

He looked down at me dourly.

“I know the situation isn’t what you wanted… but thank you,” I told him.

Immediately his face softened a little, and he nodded.

“You’re welcome.” Then he looked off to the side at someone. “But you should really be thanking him.”

I glanced over to see who he meant, although I already knew.

It was Adriano, who was off talking to one of his men.

Massimo smiled slightly. “Don’t worry… I’ll keep your mother safe.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded again, then got in the back seat with my mother and shut the door.

Adriano banged his hand on the roof of the lead car as a sign – Okay, go!

Then the fleet of Mercedes all pulled out into the alleyway and disappeared into the night.

I waved to my mother, but the windows were all tinted black. I couldn’t see her wave back.

As the car drove away, I felt a curious mixture of sadness… and relief.

At least she was safe.

Now I just had to find my father.

I looked over at Adriano, who was lowering the garage doors by tugging on their chains.

When all but one were closed, he looked at me. “Alright, let’s go.”

There was a single car left in the garage. He grabbed my small suitcase and put it in the trunk.

I was about to open the passenger door when he beat me to it and held it open for me.

“What a gentleman,” I teased him.

“Just get in,” he said gruffly.

I did. He shut the door, then got in the driver’s seat and pulled out into the alley.

He hopped out, left the car running, and shut the last garage door. Then he came out of a side entrance and got in the car.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“A safe place I know.”

“To start looking for my father?”

“No. To get some rest. We’ll start looking for him in the morning.”