Chapter 7

As the man's hushed words reached Giovanni's ears, his expression suddenly shifted, and a dark, intense expression crossed his face. He slowly, calmly stood up from the table, causing the conversation and laughter at the table to come to an abrupt stop.

"Looks like we have a rat in our family… someone among you, is working with the feds," Giovanni said in an icy tone, walking behind the guests. And then he took out a pistol, covered in gold.

Seeing the pistol in Giovanni's hand,the shock and fear on everyone's faces couldn't be hidden no matter how hard they tried, and they exchanged puzzled, concerned glances. Giovanni's sudden change in attitude made them feel extremely suspenseful and anxious "Don Giovanni, what are you saying?" one of the guests questioned, voicing the collective confusion.

Josh, unable to understand the developing situation, watched his grandfather intently, his heart racing anxiously. The presence of the pistol made him uneasy, and he scanned the faces around the table, and noticed that just like him, everyone was scared. However, when he looked at Antonio, his cousin, Josh was surprised to see that he was unfazed, continuing to eat his breakfast as if nothing was happening.

Giovanni's gaze darted around the table, his gaze locking onto each and everyone's eyes, his expression was so cold, a stark contrast to his happy self earlier.

"So, is someone going to speak up?" he asked, his voice was laced with a menacing tension that sent a shiver through the air. The sound of the gun cocking only made the anxiety worse.

The atmosphere had shifted in the blink of an eye, from a cheerful and joyous gathering to a ghostly and unnerving moment.

When Josh looked at his grandfather, he saw a totally different person, with a cold and murderous look in his eyes. The transformation before his eyes was deeply unsettling, this was a side of Giovanni that he had never expected. The cold, menacing look in Giovanni's eyes hinted at a darkness within, a chilling reminder that crossing him was a path leading to hell. Josh had no desire to find himself on his grandfather's bad side.

Suddenly, without warning, Giovanni squeezed the trigger of his golden pistol. There was a loud deafening sounds, and immediately one of the people seated at the table, a middle aged man, collapsed his face landing onto his plate with a sickening thud.

The others at the table, just stared at the lifeless man. Taking their eyes off the dead man, they looked at Giovanni with fear in their eyes. Giovanni looked cold and unapologetic as he put the gun back on the holster.

Josh couldn't believe his eyes as he looked at the dead body. The image of the man collapsing on his plate would forever be etched in his memory, and he realized that his newfound family was far from ordinary. And he couldn't help but wish he didn't have to see all of this.

Giovanni darted his gaze towards Josh and instructed, Josh come with me.

Josh nodded and followed behind him. The image of the dead man was still stuck in his head. 'Great, now that's going to haunt me for life.' He thought to himself. Now more than ever he felt opposed to the idea of being part of this Mafia family. While he loved the idea of forming a bond with his grandfather and cousin, his morality just wouldn't let him be involved in a life filled with criminality.

Giovanni led Josh inside the mansion, as they stood in the grand foyer, Giovanni stopped and looked at Josh, then he asked. "So, tell me grandson, have you come to a decision?"

"Um, about that…" Josh was hesitant to reply, not sure how the old man would react after telling him that he had decided that he didn't want any part of this. "I don't think I'm cut out for this type of life."

With an unreadable expression, Giovanni looked at Josh, and then he let out a deep sigh. "I had a feeling you might say that," he admitted. "I won't force you into something you're not comfortable with. Family is important, but so is being true to yourself."

Josh offered a smile, glad that his grandfather turned out to be an understanding man. "Thank you for understanding, grandfather."

Josh's grandfather let out a sigh, as he said in a serious tone, "But, if you choose not to accept your true identity, we might have to part ways. I hope it doesn't come to that, but I must be honest with you." He was the happiest in his life after finding Josh, but now he was being forced to consider parting ways with him once again, because Josh didn't seem interested in the family business. As painful as it was, he felt compelled to do it. He just hoped that after some time Josh would consider his decision.

Josh nodded, understanding where his grandfather was coming from. "I understand, and I, just need more time to think about everything." He said.

However his grandfather was not having it, it now or never. Josh had to make a decision now. "I'm afraid, you'll have to decide now Josh."

Josh couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed, as he had hoped for more time to come to a decision. He was about to reply to his grandfather, but at that same time, his cellphone rang.

"You might want to answer your phone, who knows maybe it's important." Josh's grandfather advised.

Heeding his advice, Josh quickly picked it up to see who was calling. When he answered, he was met with the voice of his landlord on the other end.

"Hello, Josh," his landlord began, his tone unpleasant as usual. "I regret to inform you that you've been evicted from your apartment. Your belongings are on the street, and you need to come and gather them." Josh's landlord didn't wait for Josh to say anything before hanging up the phone.