Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
I don’t pretend I don’t know what’s lit a match under their asses.
“A twenty percent stake in Caruso Holdings isn’t unreasonable.”
Matteo ceases pacing, and Nico and Elio lift a brow, but Giovanni’s expression doesn’t alter at all.
He isn’t called the silent assassin for no reason.
Edoardo didn’t give me a figure to stay out of Lucia’s life. He gave me a percentage.
I almost gutted him on the spot for even insinuating he was entitled to something he hadn’t earned. Then I realized twenty percent for the privilege of keeping Lucia safe from predators like him is a small sacrifice to make.
I’d give every last cent if it would stop me from breaking the promise I made to Camille when I said it wouldn’t be long before Lucia came home with us.
Giovanni’s exhale is laced with disappointment rather than anger. “Twenty percent is more than any of us have.” He waves his hand between the five of us. I open my mouth, but he lifts a hand, cutting me off. “Our shares are split with our father.” His words are primed with the patience only he can manage during a crisis. “When he passes, his portion will be divided among us. Only then will we hold an equal share to what you’re proposing we hand to Edoardo fucking Cordoza on a silver platter.”
I grit my teeth. “I know the numbers. I’m not stupid.”
“No one said you were stupid,” Nico mutters, though his tone suggests he believes otherwise.
Giovanni slouches back in his chair and steeples his fingers. “This also isn’t about numbers. It’s about who you’re inviting into our business. Edoardo isn’t a man we want near our holdings. He still follows practices even our ancestors abandoned decades ago. That’s why he has nothing, Dante, and why he’s desperate to grab something he hasn’t earned.”
Matteo backs him up, shifting from foot to foot since standing still is impossible for someone as forever agitated as him. “He doesn’t want our money. He wants a share of the Caruso influence for the rest of its existence. He wants a permanent seat at our table.”
“And with that seat comes a heap of power someone like Edoardo can never yield.” Giovanni locks his eyes with mine, his tone hardening. “We’re trying to make things better for our women and children. Edoardo’s logic doesn’t align with our values. He’ll make them worse. Is that what you want, Dante? Do you want to make things harder for Camille?”
“Of course I don’t want to make things harder for her.”
“Then what is this about?”
I drag a hand through my hair, frustration burning through me. “I… I...” I’ve never been lost for words, but now I can’t find the right ones no matter how hard I dig through the slosh in my head.
“Oh shit.” Matteo groans, his head flopping back as he peers at the ceiling. “Papa was right. When one of us falls, we all fucking follow.” When Nico and Elio glare at him, lost, he thrusts his hand at Giovanni, who grins like a cat staring at an empty bowl. “Why are you looking at me? That fucker started the avalanche.”
Giovanni puts the debate to bed. “That was dumbass’s way of saying he believes Dante is in love.”
Love?
“I’m not in… That’s not what this is about… I…” Again, I have nothing, so I settle for “Shut the fuck up, Matteo. Or I’ll step back and watch you fall without one bit of advice on how to get back up undusted.”
“Why the fuck would I want your advice? I’m not falling for any of this.” He wiggles his fingers in Giovanni’s face and mine. “You can keep that shit to yourself. Love?” He gags loudly. “Could you imagine only having one pussy to sample for the rest of your life?” Despite Nico’s disgust, Elio only shrugs. “Don’t act like our father wouldn’t hang you from the rafters by your nuts if you stepped out on your missus, E. When you get shacked up, it’s the same pussy for eternity. Forever. For the rest of your life.”
“I know what eternity means, fuckface.”
While Matteo and Elio continue to bicker, Giovanni gets back to business. “I know you’re desperate and probably scared out of your fucking mind, but this isn’t the way to protect Lucia. However… Even if there are lines we can’t cross right now, it doesn’t mean we can’t smudge them a little.” He walks around the desk until he’s close enough to shut Matteo up with a stern punch to the stomach. “Go spend time with your girl. Hover around like all the billionaire losers do when they have a hot, barely legal nanny taking care of their children.” My laughter shifts to a groan when he adds, “Just keep it PG until we have enough in our arsenal to fight fire with fire.”