Page 130 of Niccolo (Mafia Kings #7)

Sofia

F austo decided we should drive to Rome to be safe. Not only that, but the five-hour trip from Modena gave us ample time to discuss our line of defense at the Council.

We had to stop in Labaro, a suburb to the north with none of Rome’s beauty. It was basically just a bunch of modern residential buildings and industrial areas.

We drove to a warehouse, where several limousines were waiting for us in the parking lot.

When we exited our cars, Dante and our other foot soldiers went first to protect us.

At the same time, a man emerged from a limo to meet us – along with six ominous-looking foot soldiers in black suits and sunglasses.

The man was a rugged fifty-something with a grey-streaked beard and slightly long hair. He would have looked like an old rock-and-roller if it weren’t for his $10,000 suit.

“Fausto!” he cried out with a smile.

“Giovanni,” Fausto said warmly.

They hugged like old friends.

“What’s this?” Fausto said, gesturing around at the grimy street. “Showing me the best parts of your kingdom?”

Severino chuckled, though it sounded forced. “Thank you for indulging me. Obviously, I need to make sure all parties adhere to the rules.”

“Uh-huh,” Fausto said noncommittally. “Have you seen my nephews yet?”

“I have. They arrived earlier.”

Fausto’s face twisted with hatred. “Did they gloat about killing my son?”

“I’m sorry for your loss, old friend… but the Council starts tomorrow.”

“You’re voting for me, aren’t you?” Fausto asked.

“As the host, I must listen to all the evidence impartially.”

Fausto made a sour face. “After all we’ve been through, you’re going to play the impartial judge?”

“Let’s get you to your accommodations,” Severino said and gently took Fausto by the arm.

Fausto knew enough not to press further, and we climbed into the limo with Severino.

The residence we arrived at was magnificent: a medieval-era palazzo to the east of the ancient Roman Forum. We had a wonderful view of the ruins, with a distant view of the Palatine Hill to the west and a partial view of the Colosseum to the south.

“My staff is the best in the city,” Severino said. “Dinner will be impeccable. Anything else you need, just ask.”

“How about justice?” Fausto grumbled.

“Perhaps we can deliver that tomorrow,” Severino replied. “A car will arrive at 9AM to pick you up and deliver you to the meeting place.”

“Is it a secret?” Fausto asked sarcastically.

“You know it is. I’ll see you in the morning. Oh… and I need you to promise me you won’t get up to any mischief while you’re in my city. No seeking out vengeance.”

“Who, me?” Fausto said with faux innocence.

Severino looked at him like Stop fucking around.

“Alright, alright,” Fausto muttered. “I promise.”

“Good man,” Severino said. “See you tomorrow morning.”

He was halfway across the room when Fausto called out, “Good to see you again, old friend.”

Severino stopped and turned, then replied with both warmth and sadness.

“…you, too.”

Then he walked out.

Fausto waited until Severino was long gone before snarling, “The fucker’s going to make me work for his goddamn vote.”

“You don’t think you can bribe him?” I asked.

“Not at a price I’m willing to pay.”

“Are you absolutely sure you want me to do the questioning tomorrow?” I asked nervously.

From how Fausto had described it, the Council meeting would be a trial, and I would essentially play the role of his defense attorney.

“I’ll be the lead witness, so it’s best if you handle it,” he replied. “It’ll give me more time to strategize.”

“Are you sure they’ll accept my presence?”

I was very aware that I would be the only female consigliere in the room.

“No,” Fausto admitted. “But in the end, it will come down to who we can bribe. Don’t worry, we’ve prepared adequately. You’ll do fine. Now, let’s go see the rest of the house before dinner.”

Accompanied by Dante, we walked through the magnificent halls until we came to a beautiful library on the second floor.

The double wooden doors were carved with ornate patterns of flowers and vines. The walls were covered in mahogany paneling, and a large desk was situated at the far end of the room.

“Very nice,” Fausto said as we strolled inside, then noticed something off to our right. “What’s this?”

There was a bank of five monitors on a wooden bureau. Each screen displayed four crystal-clear shots of the palazzo’s exterior of the palazzo – a total of 20 angles.

“Must be their security area,” Dante said.

“Yes, I can see that,” Fausto said witheringly. “It’s a little odd to have it in a library, though.”

“Yes, sir,” Dante replied in a neutral voice.

Fausto walked over to the desk. “Dante, bring me my laptop. I’d like to do some work tonight, and this seems as good a place as any.”

“Yes, sir,” Dante said, then exited the library.

My cell phone buzzed in my purse.

As I reached in to get it, my hand brushed against the cool metal of the Sig Sauer P365 Dante had given me.

I’d brought it…

Just in case.

I checked my phone, and my heart skipped a beat.

Niccolo.

“Who is it?” Fausto asked. “A certain consigliere?”

“Yes,” I admitted.

“What does he want?”

“To meet.”

“Where?”

“Someplace called the Galleria Borghese.”

“Ah, yes, he would choose that,” Fausto mused. He paused… then said, “You should go.”

“…what?” I asked, not quite believing my ears.

“It was a cardinal’s residence that eventually got turned into a museum. I believe they have the largest number of paintings by Caravaggio in one location. It’s worth seeing.”

I stared at him in shock. “You want me to go look at art… with the enemy… tonight of all nights?!”

Fausto smiled nastily. “Maybe you can find out his plan. Feed him some bad information. Mess with his mind a little.”

“I thought Don Severino made you promise not to get up to any mischief while we were in Rome.”

“Exactly – he made me promise not to get up to any mischief. He never extracted any such promise from you.”

“I’m pretty sure he thought your promise covered me.”

“You’re never going to win tomorrow if you don’t break a few rules, consigliere. Go. Have a bit of fun. Take him to bed if you like.”

I glared at Fausto. I wasn’t sure if he was mocking me or not.

I still wasn’t over Niccolo… not really…

And while the idea of seeing him again was frightening, given his emotional hold on me…

The prospect was intoxicating, as well.

“You’re sure?” I asked.

Fausto smiled again – the pearly white grin of the Devil. “If you can knock him off his game tomorrow, it will be time well spent.”