Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Angelo nods, glances in the direction of Enzo who I can see is standing like the soldier he is. He’s too far to hear what we’re saying.
I follow his gaze. “Do you want me to talk to him, Uncle?”
“No, no. He’ll come around. Just sometimes I don’t understand what cause I’ve given him to be so untrusting of me.”
“If I can help…”
“I don’t think you can, but I appreciate you asking, Cassian.” He studies me, smiles. “I always hoped you two would be like brothers.”
“Enzo and I are fine.”
“Good.”
“I want to run something else by you.” He raises his eyebrows. “Moretti territory, we’ve had a truce in place for years, but what if I’m interested in expanding?”
“Expanding?”
I shrug a shoulder. “Why not. Michael is weak. Lombardi will move in as soon as he’s able. You and I both know that. Given the seizure of the cargo and Michael’s clear inability to pay what he owes, well, it just seems like a good time to grow the business,” I say, considering my words. “And send a very clear message to anyone else who might consider moving against us.” I clear my throat. “Allegra Moretti is in my keeping.” My heart beats faster at the mention of her. Do I sound casual? Like having Allegra is an incidental. A means to an end. She is more than that. That’s something I’ll need to unpack another time, but for now, she needs to be seen as nothing other than collateral.
Angelo studies me, tilts his head, one corner of his mouth curving upward. “Allegra Moretti. The contract binding her to Governor Moore is no longer in play then.”
“Correct.” My hand flexes at the thought of Allegra with another man. “I’m not worried about the governor and with the money Michael owes, it’s a solid inroad.”
He studies me. “If he were to pay you back, to buy back his sister, would you return her?”
I blink, my eyelids feeling like sandpaper suddenly. I haven’t allowed myself to think of this. “That’s an impossibility.”
“Which part?”
“He doesn’t have access to that kind of money. He’s not going to get it anytime soon. I’m well within my rights. I gave him his week. Why ask the question?”
“Humor me.”
I look straight back at Angelo. “I have no intention of returning her.”
He smiles. “Well, it’s decided then, isn’t it?” There’s a pause I don’t fill. “Are congratulations in order?”
I snort.
“Is she amenable?”
“Well, I haven’t proposed if that’s what you’re asking.” I sip my now lukewarm coffee just to have something else to do than look at him.
He chuckles. “Cassian, Cassian, Cassian. It’s me you’re talking to. I’ve known you since you were in diapers, remember. I know you. You want her.”
“I have her.”
“But you want her.”
I clench my teeth, nodding once. Angelo does know me. Lucky for me, he is not an enemy because if he were, he’d see the path to attack.
“So you’ll marry Allegra Moretti. And then?”
“Michael will bend the knee and Lombardi is out. Michael I can control. Malek Lombardi is a different animal. He wants power. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t try to take it in this same way, except he’d get rid of the brother altogether.”
Because I have thought about this possibility. Michael, as inept as he is, is the only son of Alaric Moretti. His family will follow him. Malek Lombardi does not have their loyalty, at least he didn’t before Alaric’s death. Now, given Michael’s ineptitude, he has gained some supporters. I’ve seen that myself. But it’s not enough or he’d have made his move already. If he managed to get Michael out of the way, binding Allegra to him would seal the deal. A woman wouldn’t rule the family. That’s just not done. But this scenario? It could work. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes.
“It’s a solid idea,” Angelo says, interrupting my thoughts. “If you’re going to make a move, this is the time. They are at their weakest and, like you said, you have the girl. This union would offer them a less bloody way out of their current situation. But you’d better do it soon and quietly.”
I chuckle internally at the thought of Allegra going quietly to the altar or anywhere else for that matter. But it will be done. Sooner rather than later. “Arrange it. Before we leave Atlantic City,” I tell him.
He doesn’t even blink. Just nods. “See you at dinner, Cassian.”
22
ALLEGRA
Ilock myself in the bedroom as soon as I’m back upstairs and call Amal. On the fifth ring, I worry it will go to voicemail when she finally answers.
“Allegra?” she says breathlessly like she’s running.
“Thank God,” I say, relieved to hear her.
“It worked? He actually gave you the phone?”
“What were you thinking going to him?” I ask, angry at her for taking such a risk. “And how? Doesn’t your father have guards on you?”