Page 41 of Masked Seduction

I tense. “Where?”

“South of Harmon. Couple of properties up for sale, warehouses mostly. Problem is, they’re making plays on buildings that are already paying us for protection.”

Mikail folds his arms. “And it’s not a polite takeover. We’re talking broken windows. Trashed interiors. Owners getting late-night visits.”

“Fucking hell,” I mutter.

“Got at least four business owners on record calling us this weekend,” Denis says. “One of them has been paying since your father ran things. They’re scared, Abram. Really scared.”

“And the cops?”

Denis rolls his eyes. “Some of the people pulling this shit probablyarethe cops.”

“Or paid off by the Agostis,” Mikail adds.

I exhale slowly, my jaw tight. “Maybe it’s time I sit down with Don Agosti. If he wants war over property lines, we’ll give him a lesson in why that’s a mistake.”

Denis shakes his head. “It’s not the don.”

“You sure?” I ask.

He nods. “Don Agosti hasn’t been seen in public in months. Hasn’t made a statement. Hasn’t been at any of the usual places. People are starting to whisper.”

I narrow my eyes. “What kind of whispers?”

“Lung cancer,” Denis says. “Advanced. Word is Nico’s running things. Making his move early.”

I sit back, my mind working fast. Nico Agosti. Arrogant little fucker with more money than sense. Spoiled and mean. Not someone I’d ever consider a true player.

But illness changes things. Succession changes things.

And the promise of power makes boys get greedy.

Mikail is already reading my mind. “We call a meeting?”

“Yes. But it needs to be done right. We invite both Nico and his father, otherwise that’ll read as disrespect to the don.”

“Even if the old man’s on his deathbed?” Denis asks.

“Doesn’t matter,” I reply. “As long as he’s alive, we follow the rules.”

Mikail rubs his jaw. “Agreed. Show of respect will put us in a strong position.”

“I’ll have Jenna arrange it.”

They both look at me, eyebrows raising in sync.

“You’re going to have your assistant arrange a sit-down with the Agostis?” Denis asks, skeptical.

“She’s very capable.”

Mikail chuckles. “I suppose that’s one word for it.”

Denis studies me like he’s trying to decode something I’m not saying. I hold his gaze until he finally drops it with a shrug.

“I’ll trust your instincts,” he concedes. “You’ve always had a good eye.”

A better eye than either of them realize.