The Enforcer (Untamed Hearts Book 3)(109)

“But I’ve been acting consigliere for ten f*cking years!” Monte shot back.

“We haven’t been in a war, though. We need an official consigliere now, and you can’t do it because of the blood ties,” Nova argued. “Our Borgata needs that voice on the commission, and they won’t let you serve. Our don is not supposed to be dragging his ass to a commission meeting when we’re at war. That makes him vulnerable, and you may not give a shit, but I do, Monte.”

“Call me Zu, you little shit!” Monte growled at him. “And who the f*ck do you think you are? You’re his goddamn grandson! You don’t qualify either.”

“But I do.” Nova shrugged. “The church doesn’t recognize me. I am technically outside the family. I can be an official consigliere.”

“That’s a bullshit loophole! First Carlo, now this!” Monte turned on Aldo like a bear. “You are not giving Doogie Howser your commission spot! I’d rather see Frankie take it if we’ve got to put you in hiding. Most of the families have their capo bastone on the commission. Bring Frankie in.”

“Love you too, Zu.” Carlo quirked an annoyed eyebrow at Monte from his seat next to the don. “I earned my spot as the commission enforcer. I didn’t get it by default.”

“And Frankie’s wife caused this shit,” Nova reminded them. “I wouldn’t consider him the best guy to negotiate this issue. I’m the only one who can do this. If we let the don go in when every other family has theirs in hiding, it’ll make our administration look weak.”

The don looked around the back of limo, from Carlo to Monte, before his gaze rested back on Nova.

Nova resisted the urge to shift nervously, because so much was riding on going into this meeting.

“If you send an eighteen-year-old into the commission meeting as consigliere, you’ll make the entire Borgata a joke,” Monte growled. “We’ll never live it down.”

“I am eighteen,” Nova said without hesitating, because there was no sense in denying the obvious. “But I am smarter than anyone in this car. I’m smarter than everyone on the commission too…and they know it.”

“Smart is not life experience. You’re not old enough to do this job.” Monte said it like he believed it. “You haven’t bled enough. You haven’t made enough mistakes, and we’re not letting you break your teeth in with our commission spot.”

“I’ve lived, and I’ve made a f*ckload of mistakes while I did it,” Nova assured them, unable to hide the crack of pain in his voice when he considered just how many. “I work eighty hours a week. I quadrupled this Borgata’s income. You didn’t do that. I did!” Nova leaned in, getting in Monte’s face. “And do not ever question how much I’ve bled!” He poked Monte’s chest, making him scoot back on instinct. “My brother is out there somewhere, and you’re saying I haven’t f*cking bled! I’ve bled rivers! I’m still bleeding!” Nova turned on the don. “I want the consigliere spot.”

Aldo tilted his head, looking from where Monte had scooted back next to the window, to Nova, who folded his arms over his chest to hide the shake in them.

“You look like shit, Nova,” Aldo finally said. “Have you shaved in the past three days?”

“I—” Nova arched an eyebrow and had to admit, “No, Don, I haven’t.”

“Okay, Carlo, call Gino. Have him go to Frankie’s place. Pick up Nova’s shit—his shaving kit, a f*cking toothbrush, and some cologne. Make sure he gets Nova’s best suit. The Versace with the shoes to match. Black shirt. Gold tie. I want it to be gold. If he doesn’t have one—”

“I have one.” Nova kept his arms folded rather than betray his nerves. “It’s in my closet. My shit’s on the right side. Tell him not to f*ck with Tino’s stuff on the left. He gets weird about that.”

“Don—” Monte whispered.

“It’s temporary,” the don assured him. “No one has more to lose than Nova. It’s his brother. If he f*cks up, it’s on him. Let him cut his teeth.”

“You’re replacing me with this bastardo?” Monte asked him in disbelief.

“Like he said, it’s temporary,” the don repeated calmly. Then he turned around and knocked on the window until it went down. “Call the other car. Nova’s taking my spot.”

For one brief moment, the driver, Rocco, looked shocked, considering the don had held the commission seat since he was capo bastone to his father. Then Rocco called the other car and worked on finding a place to pull off.

“If we’re at war, it’s time to start acting like it,” Aldo decided for all of them. “Monte, you go with Nova. Be a mature voice for him. This isn’t a bad thing. Hard blood is always good. Change is good too.” The don reached out and patted Monte’s cheek when the car stopped. “It’s okay.” Then he leaned over and kissed Nova’s cheek. “Call me after.”

Nova nodded. “Have fun in the Hamptons.”

“I think I can get used to this war merda.” The don grinned as he opened the car door. Three soldiers stood there waiting for him like human shields. When Carlo tried to slide out after him, the don pointed to Nova. “Get him a f*cking cup of coffee before the meeting.”