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Vinny looks like an ugly reptile. Pale with a long neck, a thin face, and a hooked nose. He’s painfully thin and dresses terribly in cheap badly cut suits, but I am sure he does that on purpose so no one will guess at his true wealth or will underestimate his ferocity. He should not be underestimated under any circumstances. He didn’t rise to become the Head of his clan by being harmless.
He rises to greet me and waits until I’m seated before lowering himself into the seat across from me.
“What is this fucking place?” I ask, disgusted with the ambiance and general outlook.
“Because of the nature of our discussion I thought it would be perfect,” he says, his black eyes glittering like a rat’s. “A friend owns this place.”
“I can tell.”
He leans back against the fake leather seat and smiles. “It’s funny. Who would have thought that you would marry Barbieri’s daughter.”
“You’re telling me what I already know,” I snap.
He laughs, an ugly sound. “Hey, relax. I’m on your side now.” He leans forward. “And I’m about to give you information that is vital to you. Take it as a sign of my goodwill towards this alliance.
I narrow my eyes. I know that every intel is important, even if it’s given by a madman.
“Sal is going after Francesca. He knows that’s your weak spot.”
It’s been years since I felt fear, but I feel it now, thick in my veins and hot in my belly. I’m not afraid of being hunted down by anyone. It’s the thought of a life where Francesca isn’t in it that scares me. I picture Sal and Vinny’s heads on spikes for a second. The image gives me great satisfaction. I keep my expression blank.
“Well, too fucking bad for Sal. If he kills her, he will be doing me a favor. I married that girl to get the land, and now that it is mine, I don’t give a damn what happens to her.”
His eyes flare, and I’m relieved that I’ve managed to convince him that Terra de Barbieri is more important to me than Francesca. In our world, your enemies don’t come for you; they come for your weakness. They study the things you hold in high esteem and try to pull out your wings by snatching them away from you.
Showing weakness for Francesca in front of Vinny is the fastest way to have a bounty on her. If they believe I don’t care about her, there is a good chance she’ll be left alone.
“Can we talk about my proposal now?” I ask. “Or are you not done speaking about things that don't matter to me?”
He nods. “The proposal.”
“You and I are going to fly over to Terra de Barbieri,” I explain. “News about that will spread, and Sal will reach out to you.”
Vinny laughs. “So basically, I’m the scapegoat.”
“Don’t act innocent with me Vinny. Sal will snap your neck as easily as I will sit down to dinner tonight. This association between us benefits you more than me, and you know it.”
“And so what happens when Sal reaches out to me?”
“You let me know. If he knows what is good for him he’ll come in on the deal with us, or I’ll organize his takedown.” I rise to my feet. “I’ll take my leave now.”
Vinny smiles. “I hope this is the start of more business ventures together.”
I walk out without replying.
During the drive back home, I am restless and angry. It feels like the journey is taking forever, and I keep checking my watch every few minutes. As soon as we pull into the driveway, I bolt out of the vehicle and run into the house.
Francesca is awake, but when the door swings open she jumps, then visibly relaxes when she sees me walk in.
“Valentino?”
I climb onto the bed and loom over her body. Then I wrap my arms around her tightly. Fuck Terra de Barbieri. I’d give up a thousand Terra de Barbieris for this woman.
Taking Sal down won’t be easy, but it’s a war I’m willing to take on.
“Are you okay?” she asks softly, sinking her fingers into my hair.
“I’m fine.” My brain wants me to alert her to the dangers lurking around her, but my heart wants me to offer her complete protection, and that means keeping her in blissful ignorance.