Page 141 of Niccolo (Mafia Kings #7)

I didn’t fare any better with the Widow.

I had her recount the day Massimo had saved her from Wagner mercenaries in her own home – and how she had rooted out a mole in her organization named Giotto Prusetti.

“And who did Giotto say paid him to betray you?” I asked.

“Fausto Rosolini,” the Widow said as she stared directly at my uncle.

Many of the men in the room murmured in shock.

“How much?”

“One million euros.”

“Thank you, Signora Fioretti,” I said. “That is all.”

Sofia wasted no time laying the groundwork for doubt. “Where is Giotto? I’d like him to corroborate your testimony.”

“He is no longer with us,” the Widow sniffed.

“‘He is no longer with us’ because you fired him… or because he’s no longer breathing?”

“The second.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I shot him.”

The Widow’s reputation for viciousness was well-known.

A few dons chuckled at her reply –

Until Sofia said something that made the old men’s eyes bug out.

“My… that’s certainly convenient. No way to confirm you’re telling the truth.”

Only a fool would cross the Widow of Venice.

Anyone could tell you that –

And Sofia had just crossed the old lady by implying she was a liar.

The Widow glowered at Sofia. “Massimo Rosolini was there. He can attest to everything Giotto said.”

Sofia frowned again in feigned confusion. “Wait… didn’t Massimo just marry your granddaughter?”

“Yes.”

Jesus.

Here came another train crash. I could see it plain as day, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

“So he’s your grandson-in-law?” Sofia asked.

“That’s what happens when a man marries your granddaughter,” the Widow said icily.

Sofia turned her back on the Widow and faced the other dons. “Interesting. A witness brings charges against Fausto Rosolini – and the witness just happens to now be related to Dario Rosolini within the last couple of days. I think I’m starting to see a pattern here.”

“I will not sit here and allow my integrity to be questioned,” the Widow snapped. “I swear on my granddaughter’s life that what I have said is the – ”

“No need to swear,” Sofia interrupted. “I have no further questions.”

Another mic drop moment.

Some of the dons were aghast at Sofia’s temerity –

While others were delighted.

The Widow had many enemies, and they enjoyed seeing the old woman taken down a peg or two.

But no matter how you sliced it, Sofia had again cast doubt on my witness.

“Bold,” I murmured as she passed by me.

“Audace, audace, toujours l’audace,” she whispered back.

I grinned.

I liked a woman who could throw my own words back in my face.

At the rate she was making enemies today, I would have told Sofia to watch her back…

But at the rate she was torching my witnesses, I was more worried about watching my own.

But now…

It was time to turn the tables.

“For my next witness,” I said, “I call Sofia Toscani.”