Two days later…
The trial was held at an undisclosed location. It had to be. If anyone wanted to take out all the heads at the same time, it would be at one of these trials. As it was, they had security on top of security.
All the family heads were here. Even Max Gotti, related to the New York Gotti’s. All the heads of the factions in this state were present.
Leon stood from his seat as the 12 men stared up at him.
“We have a list. This list was one that Siobhan McCrary had. They were sleeper cells, she had arranged for them to go into action upon her death.” He paused. “I made sure of her passing, myself as she was a danger to the family and all we hold dear. The woman planned a takeover of our city. She was insane believing that she and her son, Liam Carrack would push all of us out and takeover.”
Many of the men present were now aware of that plot, so they nodded.
“You all have seen the evidence of that and we have disposed of that enemy. It seems the east side Irish have stood aside and had nothing to do with this plot. We have researched it in depth and we feel they are not involved. We do not want a war with them unnecessarily either. There has been no proof however, that they were involved. But as to Siobhan, she had a backup plan in place. I have passed the list of her men in this sleeper cell around to you and one name has since been added. Also,” he paused and help up a book. “This book belongs to the man added to that list, one that you all know of. Or you might even know him personally.” He stared around. “However, you all will note one name on the list first please? Before we deal the little book I hold in my hand.” He nodded at John.
John went out and after a minute or two, he came back with a well dressed man in cuffs.
“Our very own man,” Leon stated. “Who was working with this Irish mob, making his own money on the side in doing so.”
The men sat forward and looked at the man that arrived.
“Mark Innes, the CEO of one of the richest banks on the east coast. Mark, as you know holds the accounts of the Family in his bank.”
“It’s a lie!” Mark shouted.
Leon raised his brows as another one of his men stepped forward and handed them all another file. Then Leon explained, “This file contains just the last year of cash accounts that Mark had funneled for Siobhan and her son.”
The room went quiet except for the sound of papers being moved around.
Leon looked over at Mark. “You can offer a defense if you so wish.”
Mark leaned forward to see the file that the council was now looking at. His shoulders slumped as he hung his head.
Leon thought so. The evidence was right there. “So, you have nothing to say in your own defense?”
Looking defeated, Mark shook his head.
Too bad, Leon thought, he had wanted to at least hear the man’s reasons. Then he mentally rolled his eyes. What reason was there except greed? Now the man would pay for his greed with his life. How dumbass could you be to betray the Family? It was unbelievable really. But yet, there was the proof. Leon nodded at John and his man took Mark out of the room. Sentencing would be later and he would leave that up to these men at the table.
“So,” Sal Aventi, spoke up, “The book? And the name you added to this list. Peter Long…” He shook his head. “This had better be concrete Leon. The man is very influential. In fact…If we decree him as guilty, we will have to do it in some way as to not draw attention to his demise.”
Leon nodded and he released a sigh. “I am highly aware of this. Very aware and if it weren’t for this book…” He set it on the table. “And eyewitness accounts of his alliance with Siobhan and her gang, I would never propose for us to take this man out. I will leave this book here along with transcripts of the eyewitness accounts. If the Council wants anything further, I… as always, will be at your disposal.” He nodded at the men and sat down.
Now it would be up to all of them. Leon met each and every gaze in that room. He knew they would see the right of this.
When he arrived home an hour later, he was happy to see all the new windows had gone up at the house. Men also worked on the landscaping as the cleanup crew had already cleared out the entire mess from the copter crash. In a few more days after the turf was laid down, no one would be able to even tell that this near disaster had ever happened.
It still amazed Leon that the Sinners and the Bastards had literally been willing to give their lives to protect him and Calderone. Though it shouldn’t have surprised him, it still did. The courage they had, the loyalty. It humbled him truly.
He walked up the steps and went inside.
Dogs were barking. He smiled as he shook his head. He had already gotten used to canines taking the house over when Willow joined them. Now, though, it would be a lot more. His daughter would certainly have her own dogs now.
He heard laughter and yes… he stopped. He smelled cookies. He stood in the foyer and just took it all in. His home finally filled with his family. What more could a man want in life?
He then strode through and into the living room.
There Willow sat with her dogs and she was watching Meena with Apollo. The dog that did not like anyone really. Well, he loved Meena as she played tug on a sock with him.
The two women looked up.
Leon smiled. “Hello lovely ladies.” He nodded at the dogs. “And canines.”
Meena laughed. “You are always so… sophisticated daddy. Canines?”
Willow smiled. “I love his and Calderone’s old world style. Gosh, they open doors for you. Kiss your hand like men rarely do anymore. It is so dammed classy.”
Calderone came in with a plateful of cookies. “Did someone call me classy?”
Willow giggled as she nodded.
Leon tisked. “Son, more cookies?”
Calderone plucked one up and paused before he took a bite tie say, “Yes, dad. No worries. I have doubled my gym regimen since Evelyn has taken charge of the kitchen. But damn, am I happy she has.” He walked over and set the plate of cookies down in front of Willow.
Boss, who was still wrapped up around the ribs from his incident with Jasper, sniffed the plate.
“No, no,” Meena called out. “Those are chocolate chip, Boss. Bad for dogs.” She looked around inside her bag that sat on the floor and took out some dog treats. “Come on,” she called.
The three dogs in the room all came over and sat in a perfect line in front of her as she spoke to them in whispers and gave each dog a treat.
Leon looked up to the doorway on the other side of the very large room to see John leaned against the door frame as he watched Meena. Leon paused. Was that a look his man wore that meant…he cocked his head and took in the man’s expression. Well, I will be dammed. Leon did not know how to feel about this. Though, it would be up to his daughter in any case.
Just then, Meena looked up and saw John. Her cheeks turned a bright pink.
Leon was stricken by this as she looked so much like her mother had years ago, and the instant blushing was the same trait his Evelyn had. Well, he had his answer. She did feel something. He raised his gaze to John.
The man met his eyes. He looked a bit caught off guard. He seemed to search Leon’s face for some answer.
Leon shrugged and nodded to his daughter. As if to say, not up to me.
Willow was laughing and this drew everyone’s attention to her.
Calderone was now bringing a glass of milk in from the kitchen and he was sloshing it on the carpet.
“Calderone,” Evelyn called as she followed behind him. “You are making a mess!”
He laughed. “It’s not too bad.” He winked at her. “Did you bring the pastry I asked for?”
Leon looked over at his woman to see her cheeks had just gone pink. What the heck was going on here?
“Yes, I did.” She giggled as she presented a silver domed covered tray to him.
Calderone set the milk glass down next to the cookies. Then turned to kiss Evelyn’s cheek. “You are the best!”
She bit at her lip and nodded.
Leon moved closer to stand next to her. Something was up here.
She glanced at him and then placed a finger up to her lips.
He tilted his head at her in confusion.
Calderone walked over to the table and looked down at Willow.
She gazed up at him. “Well? Aren’t you going to dip your cookies?” She raised the glass of milk up.
He shrugged. “I will get to it. But I wanted to give you something special. See Evelyn used to make this pastry when I was a kid. It is raspberry cream.”
Willow sat up straighter. “My favorite flavor?”
He nodded.
“Aww, thank you Evelyn,” Willow offered as she smiled at Evelyn.
Evelyn smiled back then took Leon’s hand.
He looked back and forth as he noted her hand seemed a bit wet like she was nervous or something.
Willow gazed up at Calderone. “Well?”
He stared down at her. “What?”
She laughed. “The pastry, Calderone?”
He seemed to snap to it and then he knelt down and pulled the silver top from the tray.
Willow’s smile dropped away as she leaned in to look.
Leon stepped closer to see what the fuss was about. Then he grinned.
Sitting on top of the cream pastry was a glittery diamond ring.
Willow gasped and stared at it. “Oh, my god…”
Calderone stared at her. “Willow. Love of my life. You not only saved my life but you gave me more happiness than I deserve. I want you to stay with me forever. Be by my side. I will cherish you and treat you like you were a queen.”
A single tear rolled from Willow’s eye.
“Will you marry me?” he asked from his kneeling position on the rug.
The room fell silent.
Everyone waited.
Willow tried to speak. Then she brushed more tears away.
Calderone waited.
Leon could feel his son’s nervousness the longer this took. It must be playing hell on his nerves.
“Yes…” a whispery version of Willow’s voice came out from her trembling lips.
“Say it again, Sweet Willow,” Calderone demanded.
“Yes!” she exclaimed.
He let out a huge relieved sigh and took the ring carefully from atop the fluffy pastry. Then he licked off the cream from the ring.
“Oh, my…” Evelyn whispered.
Willow never took her eyes from him and she visibly shivered at this action.
Grinning, Calderone then grasped her hand and slipped the ring onto her finger.
Evelyn clapped and did a little dance.
Leon laughed and started to clap.
Meena joined him in the applause, as did John.
Calderone grabbed Willow up and had her standing with him as he kissed her deeply.
Leon’s heart swelled. He had seen his son mourn his wife for all those years and miss his daughter badly. To see him grab his happiness? Leon swiped at a tear.
Evelyn leaned her head onto his shoulder. “That was the sweetest thing I ever saw. No pun intended.” She laughed.
“Yes, my dear it truly was,” Leon whispered as he cleared the swelling from his throat. He waited for his son and Willow to stop kissing, but the kiss went on for quite a bit.
Finally, they broke the breathless kiss.
Leon stepped forward. “Now let’s all go out and celebrate!” he announced. “Limos, champagne, candle light dining on the highest building that Boston has to offer!”
Calderone grinned.
