Page 48 of Taken by the Mafia King (Kings of Philly #1)

KILLIAN

“ H er name is Roxy Longo,” Fred said as he paced along the terrace, his hands tucked into his old leather jacket. “No affiliations to any families that I know of.”

“Five million dollars is a lot for one dame,” I said dryly, leaning against one of the stone pillars supporting the arch over my front door.

A moth fluttered around the light a few feet above my head.

My eyes tracked back and forth, following Fred as he continued to pace, occasionally stopping to kick at a leaf or piece of gravel. I sighed. “Was she sold at an auction?”

“No, it was a private exchange, from what I understand, but Riccardo Marino did handle the logistics.”

“Why should I be interested in this, Fred? Andre’s new toy has nothing to do with me.”

“I think it has to do with Sera’s situation.

” He came to a stop a few feet away from me, the chill in the air causing his cheeks to flush.

“I went to him a few days ago to plead her case. He didn’t even give me the opportunity to ask why he wasn’t coming after you for taking his daughter, or burning the whole goddamn city to the ground looking for the men who kidnapped and sold her to the Marinos.

That girl was all over him. He told me to get out, so I did. ”

“So Andre isn’t coming for Sera?” I already knew this but saw no reason to show Fred my hand.

“Is that not clear enough by now?”

I gave him a cold look to remind him who he was talking to. He looked down at his feet. That’s better . “What do you want from me, Fred?”

“I want to make a deal.” He didn’t hesitate and looked back up at me. “How much do you want for Sera?”

I chuckled, running my tongue over my lower lip as I looked out over my front gardens.

“How much, Ricci?”

“We’ve discussed this before, Fred. I’m not selling her to you or anyone, and you know it. Go get yourself another dame,” I chided.

“She’s not a dame, and you know that.”

I studied the old man. “What is she to you?”

“More like a daughter than anything. I’ve known her since the day she was born. I can’t sleep knowing she’s in this situation.”

“I already told you, she’s safe here.”

“Not with Giuseppe up in arms about you and your syndicate. Half of the eastern seaboard is anticipating a war between the two of you. It’s no secret Seraphina Bianchi is in your clutches now, just like it’s not a secret she was bought by Gabriele.

Rumors are flying. Other bosses are looking at this situation and wondering why you have her—and why you’re keeping her. ”

“I already told you she’s not for sale.”

“She’s not safe with you, Ricci.”

“You can be damn sure she’s safer here than anywhere else,” I growled, turning to face him head on.

Fred had decades of experience over me. I respected him for it, just like I respected him for coming here and fighting for Sera when no one else would.

He really did love her like a daughter. I realized that now.

He loved her in a way her own father never had.

“You can’t guarantee that.” He pointed a finger at my chest. “No one in the world cares more about her safety than I do. I have nothing to gain here, Killian. I could take her out of the country. She has extended family in Italy.”

“She’s not going anywhere. There is no deal to be made between us. That’s final.”

“Why?” he ground out, taking another step toward me. I’d heard the legends of this man from when he was an active member of Andre’s crew. A Caporegime. A ruthless, brutal menace.

And now he was practically begging at my feet.

I couldn’t tell him why. I couldn’t say it was because the thought of her leaving here and me not knowing if she was alive or dead cut me deeper than anything I’d ever experienced.

“I paid for her in blood, Fred. There’s no price for that. She isn’t going anywhere. She stays here, with me. I will decide what is done with her.”

“You’re keeping her here to try to taunt a man who wants nothing to do with her.” He shook his head slowly.

Irritated, I chuckled. “That’s not what’s happening.” Instantly, I regretted it.

Fred narrowed his eyes at me.

Trying to backtrack, I shrugged. “She’s leverage, that’s all.

You’re right about others wanting her. Her presence has been quite revealing.

She isn’t a prisoner here.” He didn’t need to know the only reason she had some freedom was because she’d managed to sneak out of her room so many times.

I turned from him, motioning for him to follow as I walked back into the house.

Fred came along, but he didn’t let up. “Leverage? Against who? Her father? I’m under the impression he doesn’t care.”

“I don’t care what kind of deals he made, not now. Not when I have Giuseppe to deal with.”

“Riccardo Marino is starting to ask questions now, Killian. About Sera’s worth. This is bigger than you realize.”

I turned to Fred, my hands tucked behind my back as I leaned down to whisper in his ear. “Sera is worth more to me than you know, Fred. I will not let anything happen to her. You have my word.” I wasn’t afraid of Marino, but that was an interesting detail to be aware of.

“And the word of the Hand of Death is so good?” He stepped away from me and glanced around the back foyer we now stood in. “Keeping her in your practically unguarded house? You think you’re invincible?”

“I am,” I growled, stepping toward him. He had no idea how well protected my home was.

It needed to stay that way. “I am untouchable. I will burn each and every syndicate to ashes if they so much as allude to being able to take her from me. That goes for the Marinos. That goes for Andre. That goes for you, as well, Bagnoli.”

He bristled, his eyes narrowing on mine. “I’m trying to help you both.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“She does. She’s just a kid. Her friends back home? Her neighbors? The people she worked with at that school, the parents of those kids she taught? They miss her, Killian. She had her own community outside of our world and you have the chance to give that back to her.” His tone was pleading now.

His words resonated with me, but they were not a deterrent. “You know what will happen the second she steps outside those gates.” My patience began to fade. “I don't owe you an explanation. She stays here, with me. That’s final. Leave, now.”

“Let me see her, at least,” he begged. I’d never heard the man beg before.

I looked him in the eyes before I answered.