Bound by honour

Antonio Gustaw's POV

I sat behind my desk, the weight of the family name heavy on my shoulders. The low hum of voices outside my study room, the distant clink of glasses, the sharp laughter coming from my men were the only sounds surrounding me and filling the silence I felt.

I knew this moment would come but I'd prayed it wouldn't come so soon. I glanced down at my trembling hands and forced them to stay still. I murmured to myself continuously, "A leader can never show weakness. Never!"

Few minutes later, I heard a soft knock on the door. Marcello, my cousin and the consigliere, stepped in, shutting the door quietly. His face wide, and his expression readeable. I already knew what he was going to say.

"Don, the Caporegime just confirmed it. Enzo Moretti and his family are on their way here." Marcello said in a low voice.

I closed my eyes in wariness briefly and said, "Enzo Moretti, the ruthless head of the Moretti family, a man I have been avoiding for years now. If he is coming here, it could only mean one thing- he has finally discovered my betrayal and is coming for war".

"Well", I paused, pushing my chair back and standing.

"We both know why he is on his way here so we have to prepare as much as we can. Double the security in-house, get our best shooters ready just in case. I know we are no match for the powerful Moretti's but we can try. When you are done, meet me here so we'll continue to think of ways to negotiate with them."

Marcello nodded quietly and hurried out to carry out my orders. As he left, the room grew colder and empty. My secret- The one I had kept hidden with me for fifteen years, was now a ticking bomb ready to explode. The betrayal of the Omertà, the sacred mafia code, wasn't something anyone could walk away from, not without paying a huge price.

Fifteen years ago, my wife, Elena's mother, was taken from me and I couldn't do anything about it. I felt devastated, depressed and desperate for a solution. Then the police dangled hope in front of me and promised her safe return if I gave them some information on two mafia dons. I was helpless, so I broke the code in exchange for my wife's safety.

I gave them what they wanted. And they still couldn't save her, she died anyway. I'd buried the guilt with me all these years, hoping no one would ever find out. But now Enzo Knew, and my family's very survival depended on whatever deal we could strike today.

I heard another knock on the door. I looked up just in time to see Marcello poke his head in, looking worried.

"Don, I was told they were on their way but not how close; now I know. The Morettis are so close, we do not have time to discuss any further."

"Damn it!"I said in a low voice.

Then continued, "All right then, he will meet me on the rooftop. Have Brienna bring up our newly produced banana cake bread, everyone loves it, with fruity sides and two wines from the cellar. Go! Go!"

I quickly headed to the rooftop and settled down. It has been my favorite place, I loved conducting meetings there because of its serenity. I had paid.  a big fortune to interior designers to design the rooftop and make it comfortable for private meetings like this.

Today, though, the rooftop felt like a trap. A cage where I would meet the Lion himself but I decided to be brave not just for myself but my family.

By the time I arrived, I heard footsteps and knew that the Moretti boss had arrived. So I turned to see Enzo Moretti, his son, Luca Moretti and members of his mafia family headed towards me. Enzo and his son moved closer and sat down on the sofa opposite me but every other person stood around them, alert, waiting for the right time to strike.

Enzo Moretti spoke up immediately and sat down. "Antonio, I'll go straight to the point because my son and I have an event to attend in the next forty minutes. What you did was an utter betrayal and totally despicable".

I felt the muscles in my neck tighten as I tried to speak, "I can..." he cut off