Page 3 of Precious Hazard (Perfectly Imperfect #11)

Present day

Salvatore Ajello’s office, New York

“So?” Ajello asks, lounging in his armchair across from me. “Do you have anything to say?”

I glance at the stemware in my hand, rotating it, watching crimson liquid swirl and splash on the inside. The faint traces of wine left clinging to the bowl remind me of blood.

I’ve bled for our cause more times than I can count.

During drug deals gone wrong. Gang skirmishes.

Confrontations with rival organizations.

I don’t regret a single drop. I’ve always known what I signed up for.

The blood I spilled for Cosa Nostra hasn’t been wasted.

Today, though, I might end up bleeding because of my pure stubbornness.

“I do.” I bring the glass to my lips and take a sip. “I am not marrying Tara Popov, boss.”

Ajello’s right eyebrow rises ever so slightly. That must be the most significant show of emotion I’ve seen him display in years. Excluding his behavior around his wife and daughter, of course. After knowing him for more than two decades, I’m still not entirely sure he’s actually human.

People believe that Salvatore Ajello is psychotic, but he’s not. What he is is a man who doesn’t concede the middle ground. It’s all or nothing with him. He might think of me as a friend. Maybe? Who can tell with Ajello? But I do know that he’d take a bullet for me. Without a second thought.

None of that holds any sway in his decision regarding my current situation, though. He’s the Don of New York, and I have just refused to follow his direct order. Killing me for insubordination would be perfectly justifiable.

“Why not?” Ajello’s brows pinch together, creasing his forehead. “Drago’s sister may be a little high-spirited, but I’m confident you two would make a perfect match.”

“A little high-spirited? The woman tried to take my head off with a tray of appetizers. If her brother hadn’t thrown her over his shoulder and hauled her away, I’d have strangled that psycho right where she stood.”

“My point exactly. You need that kind of challenge, Arturo.”

“I’m touched by your concern, boss, but I’m fairly certain I have enough challenges in my life. Especially now, with this endeavor we’re partnering with Boston on. I don’t need to add a batshit crazy woman to everything else I need to deal with.”

Rising and grabbing his own drink off the side table, Ajello walks up to the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city skyline. That’s his usual tell when he’s pondering a particularly delicate matter. Or planning someone’s demise.

Minutes stretch in silence as he simply stares at the view.

“I don’t get close to people, Arturo,” he finally says. “It’s just not something that works with my personality. Out of everyone I’ve ever met, you are the closest thing I have to a friend. The only man I’d even consider slapping that label on.”

“Alright.” I nod, slightly perplexed by the new direction our discussion has taken. And the fact that I’m still breathing.

“You’ve been my underboss for more than a decade,” Ajello continues, turning around.

“As my right hand, I trust you more than any of the others, and I’ve given you nearly free rein on a multitude of business decisions.

I have full confidence in you to do what’s right for the Family, no matter how complex or delicate the issue might be. You’ve never failed me.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“The problem is, you’ve walked too far into the weeds, Arturo.

You insist on being present for every deal.

Whether it’s seeing to the details of a pivotal contract involving a major drug shipment or supervising a routine job that one of your lieutenants can easily handle.

What’s more, none of our building projects can get rolling before you personally sign off on the plans and examine the blueprints, even though you know shit about construction.

And, a week ago, Nino told me you demanded to be consulted about shift schedules for the security guys at the warehouses. ”

“I like being thorough. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

“I know you don’t.” He takes a sip of his wine. “When was the last time you got laid?”

I nearly choke on the sip I just took. “With all due respect, boss, that’s none of your business.”

“It is if it impacts your performance. You’ve been drowning yourself in work.

Sometimes, you don’t even go home to sleep, just crash on the couch in your office.

Working nonstop because you simply don’t know what to do with yourself these days.

With Asya and now Sienna married and gone, there’s no one left for you to watch over.

To protect. No one needs you to save them anymore.

You’re a nurturer by nature, Arturo. And you have no idea how to deal with your new reality. ”

I grind my molars, jaw flexing. Somehow, the cunning bastard never fails to dredge up the inner worries most people would prefer to keep buried.

He makes you face them, whether you’re ready and willing or not.

The man may be emotionally detached himself, most of the time, but he’s got a real knack for stirring up a shit ton of emotions in others.

Ajello never misses his mark. Watching him unleash his “voodoo,” especially when it makes our rivals squirm, is a beautiful thing.

Having him dig around in my psyche? Not so much.

“So you decided to burden me with a wife?”

“Cosa Nostra holds family values in high regard. As my second-in-command, it’s expected that you’ll be an example to others. As a man of tradition, you get that, right?”

“Why her?” I ask through my clenched teeth. “If it’s so important that I get married, I’d happily accept a girl from the Family. Someone nice and meek. With all the available Italian women, why would you pick a Popov banshee instead?”

“Your animosity toward Drago has reached its peak, and it’s jeopardizing our collaboration. I need you two to settle your differences and get along.”

“He’s a presumptuous, bad-mannered asshole who somehow brainwashed my sister into marrying him!” I snap. “Regardless of how things are between them now, I will never forget that. And I will never get along with that dick!”

“Indeed. At least, not until the two of you are on even footing. I’m giving you that chance.” Ajello’s gaze lies heavy on me. “He got your sister. You get his. Problem eliminated.”

I stare at my boss, lost for words. Leave it to Ajello to come up with the most outrageous solution that somehow actually makes sense.

“And as far as nice Italian girls are concerned,” he goes on, “I don’t think that option is in your best interest. Most of them already worship the ground you walk on, so where is the challenge in that? Tara Popov, on the other hand, is the perfect woman for you. She won’t be so easy to charm.”

I burst out laughing. “And I thought you didn’t have a sense of humor, boss.”

“Yeah. My wife shares your opinion on that.” He turns back toward the bright lights of the city beyond the window. “I’ve already booked a suitable wedding venue. All expenses are on me, of course. My gift to the happy couple.”

“I’m not marrying Popov’s sister,” I growl again.

“Of course you are. The alternative is me executing you for disobeying my order. Your sisters won’t take your death well.

Not after they’ve already suffered so much tragedy in their lives.

” He sips his wine before he continues, his tone completely relaxed and emotionless.

“Asya will undoubtedly cry, but with time, she’ll find a way to deal with it.

She’s always been the strong one, even though it may not seem so from the outside.

But Sienna… Poor Sienna,” he sighs. “I’m not sure she’ll ever get over losing you.

Losing people she loves has always been her deepest fear.

Much like yours, I might add.” He turns around again, leveling me with a look.

It’s piercing, yet the man himself remains calm, casual, and confident.

“Do you know why she agreed to marry Drago?”

Rage ignites inside me, so blazingly hot that I’m barely able to form the word. “No.”

“I told her I’d kill you if you opposed the marriage arrangement. It all worked out well in the end, of course, but it doesn’t change the fact that she was willing to sacrifice herself for you. What kind of brother wouldn’t do the same?”

I’m gripping the arms of the chair so hard I expect the blasted things to crumble to smithereens at any second.

Motherfucker! I knew his underhanded tactics had to have played a role in Sienna’s decision to hitch herself to the Serb.

The only reason I’m still rooted in my seat instead of storming across the room to punch the son of a bitch in the face is because of what he did for me all those years ago.

If it wasn’t for Ajello, God only knows what would have happened to Sienna and Asya. Neither came through completely unscathed under my watch, but I shudder to think what could have happened if my sisters had been taken away from me when they were five.

Strange that Ajello isn’t using his actions back then as leverage against me now.

“You won’t insist that I’m indebted to you?” I bite out. “That I owe you my loyalty and obedience because of what you did for my family?”

“Both obedience and loyalty should be inspired by respect, Arturo. A man who would ask someone he considers a friend to do his bidding as repayment for help freely given is not worthy of that respect. What I did, I did because it was the right thing to do. You are in no way indebted to me for that.”

My gaze slides back to the glass of wine I set on the side table earlier. Ajello’s calmly spoken words have shaken me to the core.