Page 52 of He Should Be Mine

The door opens again. Nicolo steps in. His blue eyes widen when he sees Dante.

“Enzo not coming?” I ask.

Nicolo tears his gaze away from Dante to look at me. “He sends his apologies.”

My jaw ticks. I like Nicolo, he has a good head on his shoulders. But he is young, and I wanted to talk to his boss, not him. But none of that is the kid’s fault.

I gesture for him to take a seat. He flashes me a relieved look and hurries to sit down. I pour him a drink too. He takes it calmly.

I can trust him. Whatever is said at this meeting, will reach Enzo’s ears, and Enzo’s ears only. I know that. It will have to do.

The door opens for the third and final time. Carlo strides in as if he owns the place. He pulls out a chair, sits down and immediately reaches for the cigarettes in his pocket. I pour him a drink and slide it across the table. He nods his thanks and takes an appreciative sip.

He is a big man, all sleek muscle under his dark suit. He’s tall and imposing and he uses it well. He owns any room he is in and people know it. He’d make a good Don. But he doesn’t have the right bloodline. So instead he is the Ajello Family’s most respected capo.

Having him on my side is everything. It’s a game changer. The thing that makes this possible.

“Thank you for coming,” I say.

Three pairs of eyes look at me. And wait.

There is no point in beating around the bush. That was done via coded messages and secretive phone calls. We all know why we are here.

“Once I am heir, how can I repay you?” I say calmly.

What do you want in exchange for helping me destroy Riccardo.

Dante speaks first, surprising us all. “More freedom. Give me work, I don’t mind that. But otherwise leave me alone.”

I nod my head in understanding. “That seems fair enough.”

“No meetings. No reports. No dinners. No stupid other jobs that are not the stuff I’m good at.”

Got it. He just wants to torture people. Nothing else. I’m happy to agree to that. To be honest, I’d be happy to agree to anything Dante requested. I’m just glad his desires are so reasonable.

“I’m happy to agree to that,” I tell him.

His dark eyes light up. He doesn’t smile, but he never does. I think he is happy.

One down, two to go.

I turn my attention to Carlo. He takes a long drag of his cigarette. Slow and steady. Letting me know I have to wait for him.

“I want a seat at your table.”

I nod. Another reasonable request.

“Make me your Consigliere when you are Don, and I will make you heir.”

It’s a struggle to keep my face neutral. Carlo as my right-hand man? That is perfect. I can’t imagine anything better. I would have bargained and negotiatedforthis. Having Carlo give it to me is incredible. Maybe God is smiling on me.

I offer out my right hand. Carlo takes it in a strong grip. We shake hands and seal our future.

All the attention turns to Nicolo. He doesn’t squirm. He holds his head up high.

“Enzo’s offer is in exchange for keeping forty percent of his takings.”

That’s double of what he gets now. But I don’t care. It is not so outrageous as to be insulting. And I don’t give afuck about the money. I’m not doing this for wealth. I’m doing this for Molly. So he will be safe. So he will be mine.