Page 55 of Niccolo (Mafia Kings #7)

I t turned out the fastest way to the casino was a private helicopter ride, so the driver took me back to the airport.

On the way, I telephoned Fausto and held the phone up to my ear. I seriously doubted the driver spoke Italian, but I didn’t want to take any chances he might overhear.

“Well, THAT went rather well!” Fausto crowed as soon as he answered.

“It did,” I agreed.

“I would’ve preferred he take care of Roberto and Niccolo for us, but barring that, this is the best possible outcome.”

“I concur.”

“Alright, the jet will be refueled by now. When you get back to Modena this evening – ”

“Actually, I’m going to a poker tournament in Macau.”

There was a second’s pause. Then –

“What did you say?” he asked incredulously.

“I said, I’m going to a poker tournament in Macau. It should last three days at the most.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?!” he exploded. “I need you back here!”

“Then pay me ten percent as an advance.”

“WHAT?!”

“It’s the same amount you paid Lau. I know you have it just lying around, so – ”

“You think you can fucking EXTORT me?!”

“I’m not extorting you. I don’t work for free, and if you’re not going to pay me – ”

“THE AGREEMENT WAS YOU GET PAID AFTER THE JOB IS FINISHED!”

“I have expenses. If I don’t get it from you, then I’ll make it playing poker.”

There was a short silence. When Fausto spoke again, his voice was dangerously quiet.

“If you don’t come back on the plane, then don’t bother coming back at all,” he seethed. “And I won’t be paying you a single fucking euro for ANYTHING you’ve done so far.”

I sighed.

I had figured he’d probably go this route…

So I played my trump card.

“I think Niccolo will be at the poker tournament.”

That absolutely dumbfounded Fausto.

“What?! Why do you think THAT?”

“I was already scheduled for the tournament months ago. I think Niccolo discovered it somehow, and that’s the reason he’s coming to Hong Kong – to see me.”

“How do you know that?!”

“Call it intuition.”

Fausto snorted derisively. “You met him once for ten minutes. I think you’re overestimating your appeal.”

He couldn’t see the daggers I was shooting him from 6000 miles away, but he could hear them in my voice. “We’ll see.”

“What if he DOES show up? What’re you going to – ”

Suddenly, Fausto stopped talking.

When he spoke again, his voice was brimming with anger.

“You’re going to entertain another offer for your services,” he snarled.

“I’ll hear him out.”

“You fucking – ”

“Careful.”

“I was going to say ‘traitor’ – but I guess that would be incredibly ironic, wouldn’t it?” he asked with grim humor.

“At least you’re self-aware,” I said drily. “But you’re missing the big picture. If I make Niccolo think I might switch sides, he might reveal something useful.”

“So you’re going to play double-agent.”

“Something like that.”

“Of course, if his offer is good enough, you might actually switch sides, hmm?”

“Which is why it would behoove you to pay me 10% upfront.”

Fausto chuckled. “Like I said before: extortion.”

“Think of it as negotiation.”

“I have to hand it to you, Sofia. You’ll make a hell of a consigliere – IF I don’t kill you first.”

A chill ran up and down my spine, but I forced my voice to remain level. “I’m already a hell of a consigliere. You should just make sure I keep working for you.”

Fausto sighed angrily. “…fine. I’ll pay you the money when you get back.”

“No, you’ll wire the money to me right now, care of the El Dorado Macau. Casinos handle that level of money transfer all the time, so it won’t be a problem.”

“You’re pushing it,” he snarled.

“No, I’m keeping you honest.”

Fausto grumbled a bit, then said, “Wire it to the El Dorado Macau Casino, you said? Under your name?”

“Correct.”

He was silent for a few seconds… then muttered, “Well played.”

“Thank you.”

“I want you to remember two things, though.”

I prepared myself for a couple of parting threats. “What.”

“Number one: Niccolo is brilliant. No matter how good you think you are, he’ll see through your deceptions – so be careful. And if he’s truly coming to Macau to see you, there’s an excellent chance he’ll kill you if you don’t switch sides.”

Another shiver ran down my spine.

“Well, then, I’ll just have to make him think I’ve switched sides,” I said in a blasé voice. “What’s the second thing?”

“If you DO switch sides, I’ll make it my mission above everything else – even above destroying my nephews – to take you captive, at which point I’ll have you skinned alive.

And as you’re bleeding out, I’ll make you watch in a mirror – since you won’t have eyelids anymore – as I gut you like a fish. That, I promise you.”

Despite having steeled myself, my blood still ran cold.

Because I knew he meant it.

“Good luck, Sofia,” he said, then hung up the phone.