Chapter 10
The remaining capos arrived at nine.
Rachel let every one of them enter.
Daniel wanted the meeting canceled.
Of course he did.
“It’s over.”
Rachel looked at him.
“No.”
“You made your point.”
“I haven’t spoken yet.”
“You’ve humiliated my children.”
Alyssa laughed bitterly.
“Your children?”
Daniel turned.
She continued.
“You spent years making us compete with a toddler.”
Jason looked down.
For once, he did not insult Ethan.
Not yet.
The capos filled the library.
Rachel stood at the head.
Daniel beside the wall.
Jason without phone, card or swagger.
Alyssa near the door.
Ethan upstairs again.
Safe.
Rachel played the recording once.
No speeches.
No dramatic editing.
Daniel’s own voice did enough.
Get him upset.
Break something.
Rachel comes in.
Push her until she loses control.
The room became silent.
Then Rachel asked:
“Who was promised a leadership change?”
Four hands.
Daniel’s face tightened.
“Who was told I agreed?”
All four remained raised.
Rachel nodded.
“Who heard that from me?”
Every hand lowered.
Simple.
Daniel stepped forward.
“They believed it because it made sense.”
Rachel looked at him.
“Why?”
“You’re a mother first now.”
The room changed.
He heard himself too late.
Rachel smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
One capo said:
“So?”
Daniel turned.
“She cancels meetings.”
“When Ethan is sick,” Rachel answered.
Daniel snapped:
“Exactly.”
Another capo frowned.
“He’s three.”
Daniel laughed.
“There. That excuse.”
Rachel watched older men exchange looks.
The same contempt Jason had learned.
The same dismissal.
Daniel continued:
“Carter needs someone available.”
Rachel said:
“Carter has been under my command for six years.”
Silence.
Jason looked up.
Daniel froze.
Several capos already knew.
Others did not.
Rachel removed her signet ring.
Placed it on the table.
“Daniel is underboss.”
Jason stared at his father.
The word destroyed him.
Underboss.
Not hidden king.
Not rightful leader.
Daniel whispered:
“You promised never to say it like that.”
Rachel looked at him.
May you like
“You promised never to use our son against me.”
And every lie Daniel built for his older children collapsed in one sentence.
