Page 108 of Dark Breaker

I feel incredibly guilty. I completely forgot about Nicolo and Angela’s two brothers, and that they’re still being held by the Jackal. All my attention has been focused on Rosa. That’s how disoriented and out of sorts her kidnapping has made me.

“Yes,” I say. “What’s the update?”

“My father can contribute up to five million Euros out of the ten the Jackal wants to secure their release,” she replies.

“They don’t want to attack the Tunisians during their meeting tomorrow then I take it?” I ask.

“No they don’t,” she replies. “They’d rather pay if it avoids bloodshed.”

“How much can the Morettis contribute?” I press.

“Another two million Euros.”

I tap my lower lip. “That leaves me on the hook for three million Euros. That’s actually reasonable.” Assuming I can get pa to sign off on the release of the funds from the bank. I’m sure he’ll go for it, as he prefers negotiations to bloodshed, too. “But… we have no guarantee the Jackal will actually let them go. In fact, he probably won’t. The guy’s an asshole and a lunatic, the worst kind of mobster there is.”

“If the Jackal takes our money and doesn’t release the prisoners,” Angela replies. “Then we’re definitely going to war.”

“It could be too late by then…” I tell her.

I can hear her sniffle over the connection. “It has to work. It has to. The Jackal will release them. I can’t lose Massimo.”

My heart goes out to her. I know exactly what she’s going through. “You’re right. It has to. And if it doesn’t, we’ll find a way to get him out. I promise you, we will. Will save all our brothers.”

“Thank you,” she says. “I appreciate that. It’s not something I expected from you, if I’m being honest.”

“It’s time I started treating this alliance of ours more seriously,” I tell her. “Instead of always looking for ways I can use it to benefit myself, ways to leech off my allies, it’s time to start pulling my own weight. Rather than lashing out at your husband and his brothers for every perceived slight. If I’d realized this sooner, maybe Rosa would still be here now.”

I’m not sure why I’m opening up to her. Maybe because she’s the only one who truly understands what I’m going through right now. Her husband obviously means the world to her.

Angela is quiet a moment. “She’s changed you. In a good way. You seem to have matured a lot lately. At least that’s the impression I have. Sorry, I don’t mean to offend you.”

“No offense,” I tell her. “Because you’re right. I guess it’s the realization that my actions hurt not only myself now, but the people I care about as well… that’s what’s changed me. It’s a realization that hits really close to home. Why does it take losing someone to recognize they mean more to you than everything else?”

“I don’t know,” she replies. “It’s strange how life works. Good luck, Fabio. I hope you find her.”

“I will,” I tell Angela. “I have to.”

With that, I disconnect.

I glance at Cateno. I know he heard every word, but he’s pretending the road is requiring all his concentration and he doesn’t say anything. I’m grateful.

Pa finally calls shortly thereafter.

“What a fuck up you are,” my father tells me. “Mio Dio. Letting your brother fall into the hands of the Jackal. How could you let him capture Nicolo? How could you? Ten million Euros. He wants ten million Euros. The bastard is going to beggar us.”

“Actually, it’s three million now,” I reply. “The Amatos and Morettis are pitching in seven.”

“So our alliance is finally paying us back after all,” he says. “Though it helps that Nicolo isn’t the only prisoner I suppose.” He pauses. “All right, I’m authorizing you to pick up three million from our accounts. I’ll call the bank. Should be ready to pick up tomorrow morning. Don’t fuck this up.”

I suppress a growl. I wish he’d have more faith in my ability to lead this business. Then again, itwasmy fault that Nicolo was captured. I led him to the building where the Jackal’s goons were lying in wait.

“I won’t,” I assure my father.

He hangs up.

Picking up the money tomorrow morning works for me, because I don’t have time today. I plan to find Rosa. I’m going to spend the rest of today looking for her, and all night if I have to.

I continue going through the mental list of people who might have her. Her exes suddenly pop into my mind. I remember the way they pulled her into the pool at the party. Like she was their property.