Meet The Neros, Part 2

Inside the office was a large wooden desk, a small wall of books, and a bay window that overlooked the harbor. For a hotel, it was a surprisingly generous office space.

Sitting behind the desk was Vito. The moment he saw John, a wide grin spread across his face.

“Johnny, you made it,” he said, genuinely pleased.

Vito was one of his father’s oldest friends and his personal banker.

A light-skinned Egyptian man, Vito had known his father since childhood. How they met, John never knew. But one thing was clear: Vito knew everything.

Possibly even more about his father than his own father. It made sense then that Vito was the one carrying out the will.

Standing at the bay window was Peter, John’s older brother.

Arms crossed. Red suit. Gold-rimmed glasses. His teeth glinted with gems, and his long dreadlocks were tied back. The man looked like a mobbed-up T-Pain.

Even though John had grown since they last saw each other, Peter was still taller. Six-seven. Built like a heavyweight boxer. His muscles stretched his suit at the seams.

He looked loud. Dangerous. Expensive. It matched exactly the type of person he thought his brother would become.

In the two chairs in front of the desk sat his sister, Jade, and his mother.

Jade was dressed in an all-white futuristic dress, diamond earrings, and a diamond belt to match. A blue Louis Vuitton purse rested beside her. Her white and blue heels gleamed with glass tips. Her hair was done in two sculpted buns, streaked with lines of sky blue threading down through the design. A tiny diamond-studded nose ring sparkled on her face.

Unlike Peter, who led with power, Jade led with precision.

She was the smartest person John had ever met. Always thinking ten steps ahead. Always chasing the next evolution.

Her outfit didn’t surprise him at all either. It was exactly her.

Sleek. Sharp. Calculated.

John glanced down at his own suit. Standard issue. Black, clean, purple tie. American flag pin.

He wondered if he matched what they imagined he grew up to look like too.

The only person besides Vito who smiled at the sight of John was his mother.

When she turned and saw him—

“Bambino,” she said softly.

She stood up and rushed over, throwing her arms around him in a hug.

“Hello, Ma,” he said, returning it as best he could.

Even though she hadn’t defended him during his fallout with his father, he still couldn’t bring himself to reject her. But the hug was awkward. Unnatural.

He’d never hugged her at this height before. He was taller than her now, so she pressed her face into his chest, and the sensation was… foreign. He had only ever done it when he was shorter or the same height. Never from above.

He hugged her back anyway.

“Well, well, well,” said Jade. “We were starting to think you weren’t gonna show. I mean, you are an hour late.”

“I got here, didn’t I?” John said. “Maybe if there weren’t a sea of guys outside, I’d have made it sooner.”

“You knew what time this started,” Peter said.

He stormed over and pulled their mother away from John.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“You know what I’m doing,” Peter said. “Where’s the wire?”

“My wire?” John asked, dry sarcasm in his voice.

“Oh, you wanna be a funny guy now?” Peter growled. “Spread.”

“Yeah, before you start frisking me,” John said, “I’ve got something for you.”

“Cut the bullshit,” Peter snapped.

“No, seriously. Read this.” John reached into his pocket and pulled out the card—the one he signed back at the hotel. “At the end of the day, I’m still a Nero. If I feel like showing respect, the least you can do is accept it.”

He handed the Hallmark card over.

Peter looked down at it, his face twisted in a skeptical frown.

“Let’s see what kind of nonsense you wrote.”

He scoffed at the cover. Then opened it.

His expression changed. The fire in his eyes seemed to be put out in an instant.

“Ah,” he said. “Ah… yeah. Thanks for showing respect. I’m tense is all. We all are.”

Peter looked up, eyes softer now.

“You’re right. I acted too harshly. I haven’t seen you in a long time… for obvious reasons. But I’m still watching you. Let’s get started.”

“Yeah, I figured,” John said.

Peter stepped toward the suite door and opened it.

“Could one of you get his jacket?” he called out.

A goon stepped in, retrieved John’s coat, and left.

“Why can’t he wear a jacket?” Ruth asked.

“Oh, but you get to keep yours on? You’re always so dramatic.” Jade added.

Peter didn’t answer.

Instead, he handed Jade the card.

She read it silently.

“Condolences,” She read aloud. “Sorry I couldn’t be there with you. But I’m loving you from afar, no matter where I go, no matter where you are.”

And underneath, in small, clean writing:

The wire is in my jacket. If you search me, you won’t find it.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Jade’s mouth. She folded the card and tucked it into her bag.

“Can I see it?” their mother asked.

“I’ll show you in a sec, Ma,” Jade replied. “But I think Peter’s right. We should get started.”

Their mother stood.

“Sit down, all of you,” she said firmly.

John moved to pull out a chair for her.

“Please, Ma—sit down.”

“No,” she said, waving him off. “This isn’t for me. It’s for the three of you. Now sit.”

“Mom—” Peter began.

“Don’t you dare use that tone with me,” she snapped. “Sit down! All of you.”

Before they could think, the three siblings were in their seats. Backs straight. Heads forward.

They looked at each other in surprise.

After all these years, her voice still hit like a slap to the spine.

Vito cleared his throat.

“Now… as you know, your father updated his will last year. What I’m about to read is the most current version.” He paused. “He loved you all very much. Even if some of you didn’t appreciate it.”

Jade and Peter glanced sideways at John. He rolled his eyes.

“Your father left three primary instructions in this will. I’ll read them now.”

***

Dear Family,

I love you. I’ve loved you with all of my heart.

I know I wasn’t the perfect husband. I wasn’t the perfect father. But everything I’ve ever done, even when you couldn’t see it, was to make you strong. Because the world doesn’t care how nice you are. It only cares how strong you are.

I have regrets. Of course I do. But I did what I had to do.

John, if you’re hearing this, then I haven’t failed completely.

And if you’re not… well, then one of you, Peter or Jade, please read this to him. I’d be eternally grateful.

We are the last of the once great kingdom of the Moors. We were dark skinned North Africans that ruled Europe and now I have built an empire that stretches across the world. I spent my life trying to make our ancestors proud.

There’s much I wish I could say and even more I dare not speak. In time, you three will understand. However, the road to that understanding will require crossing the burning sands. It is unforgiving and only the strong survive.

I spent my life trying to make everything perfect. Even now, in death, I have three final orders.

One:
To my darling wife, Ruth Ericka Nero.

Ruthy,

I always knew I’d go before you. And though I’m no longer here to protect you, others will. The family, and even other families, will keep you safe. The day I met you is when my real life started. Why you took interest in someone like me, I will never know. What I do know is that I knew from the moment we met, I would be with you until the end.

Whether I’m watching from above… or, let’s be honest, from below. I love you.

Go to the place where we first met in Boston. You’ll find a nest egg waiting for you. Enough to live out your days in peace. The house is yours, as it always was, and always will be.

Two.
To Vito, my best friend.

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Looks like this is the end of the road, my friend.

Take care of my family. For you, this is a two-parter:

One, make sure Ruth never wants for anything. And two, help my brother Tony Nero…

***

Vito hesitated.

“…As I am naming him the next boss of the Nero Family. He may not be your first choice but he’s my final one. I will be able to rest in peace knowing that he has it for a while. Watch his back as if it were my own.”

Everyone gasped. Even Vito looked uncomfortable reading it.

Tony. Their uncle and Michael’s younger brother.

Smart with money, yes, but different. Cold. Calculated. The opposite of his brother in every way.

He hated meetings. Hated people. Wasn’t even here now. Even John was here.

But Tony?

Gone.

The rest of his five siblings had shown up and yet, Tony was named boss. The only thing Uncle Tony did better than their dad was make deals. However, it takes more than that to lead an organization of this size.

“That’s ridiculous,” Peter muttered. “Uncle Tony didn’t even care enough to show up!”

“I hate to agree with my brother,” Jade added, “but he’s right. He’s not fit to run the family. He’s smart, sure, but leadership takes more than math.”

“I’m sorry,” Vito said. “It’s what your father wanted. But,” he added, “Tony’s position may be… temporary.”

“What do you mean temporary?” John asked.

Vito swallowed, beads of sweat forming on his temple.

“This is the tricky part,” he said quietly.

***

Three.

For my final wish…

I, Michael Lear Nero, have spent many long nights considering who my true successor should be.

I have two sons. One daughter. All brilliant in their own ways.

Peter, you may not be as clever as I was, but you have a level of strength and a boldness I was always proud of. Like a lion that’s king of his jungle, you lack the fear of failure in your heart. The mark of a good leader and predictably of an older sibling. Knowing when and where to use it will take you far.

Jade, you’re one of the smartest people this family has ever produced and the smartest person I’ve ever met. You must’ve gotten it from your mother’s side because to say I had anything to do with your complex way of thought would be a lie. You could out sly a fox. Use your mind to stay one step ahead. Don’t think for a second I ever doubted you.

Two stayed. One left. But even the one who left never ratted.

John, you had every reason to. And yet, you didn’t. Not once. I’m not sure if that was loyalty or some last shred of pride in our family name. I don’t regret what I did, but I do regret not being able to see you grow into a man. You’re very head strong and adaptive. As a sheep that left the meadow, I hope you’ve grown the horns of a wild ram.

If any of you decided to take control, whether through diplomacy or through fire, I have no doubt you’d rise to the top.

***

All three siblings looked at one another, eyes narrowed. None of them knew where this was going.

***

Therefore…

To my eldest, Peter Gonellus Nero.
To my second, Jade Reagan Nero.
To my youngest, John Cordell Nero.

I leave everything. But only… to the last living sibling.

***

A silence fell over the room like a dropped curtain.

Vito read on.

***

Whether they die by natural causes or otherwise…

The last sibling left standing will inherit everything. From Uncle Tony. From me. From the Family.

Everything.

Except the house, of course.

I know the greatest leader will survive.