Page 8 of Dark Breaker

Stefano, Roberto and Enrico come up behind us. Giovanni and several of the Amatos leave their own vehicles and join our group.

“A nice night for a gunfight,” Giovanni remarks.

“It certainly is,” Massimo agrees. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Giovanni glances at Angela and his face darkens. “I told you not to bring her.”

“You really think she’d stay behind?” Massimo asks incredulously.

Giovanni’s features soften, and he nods. “She can be stubborn.”

The D’Alimontes approach. When they grow near, Fabio emerges from the circle of men. He glares first at Luciano, who returns his scowl measure for measure, and then at me.

“She’s not welcome,” Fabio says, pointing at me. “Either you stuff her back into that SUV of yours, or we all go home and make plans to kill each other tomorrow. Or we can even do the killing tonight, if you prefer.”

“Over a busted lambo?” Massimo says through gritted teeth.

“Doesn’t matter if it was a lambo or a pinto,” Fabio hisses. “It was my property. No one touches what’s mine.”

I can almost respect his dedication to protecting his property. Almost. If it didn’t mean so many people would have to die over it.

“They don’t make pintos anymore,” I announce casually.

Fabio shoots daggers at me with his eyes.

“No one touches your property?” Luciano chimes in, drawing those angry eyes to him. “Well no one touches my sister, either.”

Fabio cocks his head. “How about you and I duel then? Settle this right here. You and me to the death. No guns. Just knives.”

“I’m up for that,” Luciano says. “But forget the knives.” He bares his teeth in a feral grin. “I want to kill you with my bare hands.”

Fabio glances at my brother’s injured leg and smirks. “You can certainly try. Bet it still hurts, doesn’t it? I’ll almost feel bad, killing you. It’ll be like killing a wounded, helpless animal.”

Luciano takes an angry step forward. “Want to see how helpless I really am?”

Massimo blocks him with a raised arm.

“I’ll wait in the SUV,” I quickly announce. “I’m not really interested in your negotiations anyway.”

“I’ll stay with her,” Angela says. She glances between Massimo and her father. “I think it would put Papa at ease.”

Giovanni nods approvingly.

“Luciano, you stay with them,” Massimo tells him.

“But—” Luciano begins.

“Do it!” Massimo hisses.

Fabio grins triumphantly as Luciano retreats to join me. My brother flinches every time he places any weight on his injured leg.

Giovanni focuses on one of his men. “Maurizio, I want you with them too.”

The man named Maurizio nods, then joins us. From Angela’s smile, I can tell she knows him well, and is happy he’s staying behind.

Massimo meets my eyes. “Are you sure about this? What we decide in there could effect your future…”

Giovanni raises an intervening hand. “She won’t have any say in the negotiating process anyway. Nor will Fabio, for that matter.”