The whole room was graveyard silent, not even a pin drop could be heard as all the men looked at each other and at Spade at the head of the table.

Salvatore was the first to speak up, drawing the whole attention away from Spade and to him. Even Spade had turned to look at him

"We're all gathered here today for one reason and one reason alone, The auction" his hoarse, and very strange voice resounded in the room, he sounded like he was wheezing and trying to make a sentence at the same time, like there was something stuck in his throat stopping the words from coming out clearly.

The other men agreed nodding their heads and looking at each other. "The reason why we're here to discuss that" he muttered his eyes landing on Spade "is because we want to host this year's auction here in New York" he finished, Spade almost didn't hear him correctly.

Did he just say he was going to bring this year's auction to New York? It has never happened Before, not once in 20 years, so why now? Why suddenly?

He looked back at the other men and they all seemed to be in sync with this, in some sort of silent agreement with what Salvatore had just said. They can't be serious, the only person that had the same look as him was Matteo, he also seemed to be just as confused and curious as Spade.

"The auction that is supposed to hold three months from now"? He asked and they all nodded "you want it here in New York? What happened to holding it in Rome? It has always been like that"? His voice cut through everyone's thoughts in the room, making Salvatore's words and declaration seem less important.

"Spade" Salvatore's voice cut through again, since he was closer to Spade, it was easy to speak without having to raise his voice "you said it yourself, we have always done it in Rome, for as long as anybody can remember, we all thought it was time for a change" he said looking at the others and they all nodded in agreement making small talks amongst themselves, whispers going round in the room

Spade's eyes left his uncle and watched each of the men as they all agreed and whispered amongst each other "So you all agree to this"? His strong, hard voice stopped all their whispers as his eyes moved from each one of them, making a few recoil back, and some others avoiding his accusing gaze.

"Uhh.... It's a good idea, i think" one of the men from the right side of the table, fourth chair, whispered, making Spade to turn to him with a sharp gaze, he quickly looked down, not meeting his eye. "And we... We just wanted to ask you for permission" he further added

Spade's eyes scrutinized him very well, he knew this man very well, this was one of his father's allies, one of the many people who had dealings with his father when he was still Capone.

"No" he thundered and immedaitely gasps could be heard in every corner of the room, as everyone had their eyes on him again "The auction will hold in Rome, not here in New York" he finished

"But Gio this is a good business opportunity, do you know just how much money can come from having this auction here in New York"? Salvatore asked looking at Spade expectantly "you don't even have to be there if that's what you're concerned about, all you have to do is just give us the green light and we'll take it from there" he finished.

True Spade might be involved in things like the auction and other unorthodoxed activities, but he was always never present for any of it, Matteo was always his representative there, and when the time for splitting the money came, he always ensured he got his cut, which is of course the biggest, since he funded most of them.

But he wasn't at all worried about anyone seeing him at something like that, he was in the mafia surely no one should think he was a saint, he had more blood on his hands than he can even mention.

What he was concerned about was the troubles that came with things like this, and recently a lot of his underground businesses have been facing numerous threats, like his gun shipment getting stolen, the drugs that he was supposed to deliver to the Yakoza last week, suddenly disappeared with no traces, and about a month ago, his club was raided, apparently someone tipped the police off about a shady deal going down in the club and most of his men were arrested

So imagine if he was caught in the web of something like this as outrageous as human trafficking, it'll be a disaster. One he couldn't risk, not without knowing who was behind all the attacks.

He was losing a lot of money and that was one of the reasons he took Greg's deal. He had never been one to consider being married so quick, but he needed more grounds as it is and Greg's company was just sitting there waiting for the taking, so the moment he brought up the contract about marriage, he saw an opportunity and he took it.

"I'm not changing my mind, it's still no" he muttered, his uncle was about to open his mouth obviously to oppose again but he was quick yo cut him off "And I dare anyone to go against me, I won't hesitate to make them an example to the rest of you" he muttered dangerously low as his eyes moved from his uncle to the other men and back.

He nodded before looking at the other men "You all heard the boss, Rome it is" he murmured and the whole room erupted in talks and whispers.

Spade just got up and pushed his chair back before walking away from the table, Matteo hot on his trail

"Phewww, that was intense" he whispered looking up at Spade who had an expressionless face on

"I want you to keep a closer watch on them, anyone who does something that feels off, let me know, I'll be the one to kill them myself" he muttered and Matteo just nodded before opening the door and walking out.

Salvatore followed behind him closely and soon enough he walking by his left side in the hallway "Gio, it's been a while" he muttered, Spade just grunted in response "I heard you're getting married? Never thought I'd live to see that day" he said chuckling making Spade to stop in his track and facing him, Matteo too.

"Who told you that"? he asked gruffly and Salvatore just shrugged

"You know, whispers here and there, a little gossip, things like that, especially when it comes to you are not so much as hidden as you think" he muttered using his one good eye to look Spade over. "I guess I should be on my way, I'll see you around nephew" he said before walking away and leaving Spade standing there with Matteo watching his back.

Not a lot of people knew about the married deal with Greg, but his uncle was the last person he expected to know about it.

"I don't trust him" Matteo muttered looking at Salvatore's back as he walked away

"Keep a close eye on him, find out what he's been up to recently" he ordered, Matteo nodded.

They both walked away towards his office here in the warehouse. Passing a few of his men in the hallway wearing black and holding their guns securely.

He opened his office and walked in, Matteo trailing him, he took off his jacket and placed it on the chair before sitting down on it. He sighed out, and pulled a cigar case from his table, he opened it and pulled out a huge cigar, placing it between his lips, taking the lighter from his pocket he flicked it and lit up the cigar, inhaling deeply.

Matteo just stood in front of him as he watched him smoke the cigar. "What do you have for me"? He asked taking out the cigar from his mouth.

"Nothing much, his routine is pretty much the same everyday, wake up, take his bath, he spends too much time in the shower if you ask me, eat breakfast, he really likes bacon and coffee, he spends even more time putting on his clothes, not that I'm watching him dress up or seeing his naked body....." He rushed out chuckling, Spade just gave him a pointed look and he cleared his throat "Right uhm, he hasn't done anything suspicious yet, just goes on about his normal routine" he adds making Spade sigh out "Why am I even watching him, usually I'm supposed to be watching the girl and not the brother in law"? Matteo asked as Spade twirl the cigar in his hand, before putting it in between his lips and taking a hit of it, puffing the smoke out

"For precaution" he muttered before dropping the cigar on the table "just keep watch on him" he added.

Even though he knew Nate wasn't any problem to them, there was still something tugging at his head and mind, like warning bells but way different than warning bells, louder and stranger.

"Okay" Matteo muttered giving Spade a long look, being close to him and all, he'd always known Spade trusted no one, he should be used to Spade being so paranoid about someone like this, but this was different. With this Nate kid, Spade wasn't just paranoid, there was something else.

Anyone could tell the kid was no threat, sure he may have doubts about Spade and the marriage thing, but that's just it. Watching him closely the past few days, Matteo has seen that he's just a regualr guy, the kid didn't even know he was being watched closely. Why Spade was still so paranoid is something he couldn't quite understand, but he wasn't gonna question him about it.

"Yeah before I forget, what are we gonna do about Lucas? He has refused to talk" he asked looking at Spade and he just sighed out "He keeps repeating the same thing, that he's innocent and being framed"

He put his hands on the table and scratched his chin, narrowing his eyes "Keep him locked up, I'll figure out what to do with him later, I have something I need to take care of first" he muttered before getting up from his chair and picking up his jacket.

Matteo just watched him, this was how he worked, around the clock no rest. One of the reasons why Matteo respected him a lot, sure he's bad and all, but he's very strong willed and hard-working. Where he is today, he worked for it and earned it

"Come on" he muttered to Matteo walking out of the office, like a lost puppy he just followed him, hastening to catch up with him

"Where to"? He asked

"The dock"

It's been a while guys.

Sorry been facing some personal crisis lately and it messed with my head 😩😩

But I'm back now