Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
The only one who doesn’t speak is Allie’s father. Francesco Russo isn’t drinking or smoking. He sits off to the side, watching with an air of barely restrained anger.
He’s a smart man, keeping his mouth shut, but he’s a fool if he doesn’t understand how his sudden association with me is a huge benefit to him and his family.
I sit at the head of the table. Lucy takes a position over my shoulder. She keeps her phone in her pocket, which I know is physically painful for her. The room is being watched by at least a dozen guards, and more than one is aiming hidden sniper rifles from the high corners of the room. If any of the men in here move on me, they’ll be dead before they stand.
I bristled at that level of protection early in my career, but I’ve since learned that a careful man survives while a prideful man feeds worms.
Everyone watches as I get settled. I let them linger in the silence for a moment. None of them is stupid enough to speak out of turn, not until I’ve officially begun this little meeting.
I’ve had to learn these small power tactics over the course of my career. I came from the streets, killed to take over bigger and bigger operations, until now I’m sitting at the top of a long pyramid drenched in blood and filled with gold. It’s a different game these days, but I’m still the same thug from the crime-riddled streets of northern Naples.
“I appreciate you all coming here to speak with me on such short notice.”
That breaks the ice enough. Pasutto’s the first to speak up, as always. “Not that you gave us much of a choice. That was one hell of a wedding.”
I glance at Francesco Russo. He stares back stonily.
“It was necessary to make you all understand the stakes we’re dealing with.”
“What are those stakes?” Licciardi asks.
“Allesandra Russo is my bride. Her daughter is my daughter by blood. Even though she was promised to someone else, she was always going to be mine. What I did was acceptable by rights.”
“Damn your rights,” her father snaps suddenly, anger exploding out of him. “I want my daughter back, you kidnapping—”
Licciardi silences him with a sharp glare. Russo’s jaw clicks shut and he sits back, body straining with rage, but he knows he crossed a line.
“I understand you’re Allie’s father and have her best interests at heart, which is why you aren’t dead. Another comment like that, and I will gladly end you.” I turn to Licciardi. “I assume there will be some debt to pay for the death of my wife’s former fiancé.”
He tilts his head to the side as if in thought. “Perhaps, in easier times, that might be true.”
My eyebrows raise. “What other option is there? The girl is mine. The baby is mine. I will pay and be done with this.”
“Not everything can be smoothed over,” Raffa Trentino says sullenly.
“What Don Trentino means is we’ve come on behalf of our associate here.” Licciardi waves toward Allie’s father. “He demands his daughter back. We are inclined to agree with him. What you did at her wedding was a step too far, even for a Dragon.”
I stare at him. I can’t recall the last time someone stood up to me like that. It’s a strange feeling. My stomach clenches with excitement and adrenaline slowly pours into my veins.
There’s nothing better than a challenge.
“There is no such thing as too far for a Dragon.” I lean back in my chair, drumming my fingers on the armrest. “The girl will not be returned. She lives here with me now. I can offer payment again—”
“We don’t want money, Don Cardone.” Licciardi meets my stare. “The families are united in this. We want the girl back in New York where she belongs. This was not well done. This was not what we had agreed to. You should have come to us, told us your plans, at least out of respect—”
“You speak of respect?” I talk quietly and force them all to lean slightly closer to hear me. “You come to my island. You smoke my cigars. You drink my wine. You fuck my girls. Now you’re demanding things of me? A man above you all? That is not respect. That is not how things are done.”
“With all respect, Don Cardone, we don’t really give a shit how things are typically done. We want the girl.” Pasutto crosses his arms over his gut and leans back, sneering at me.
It’s a step too far. Everyone knows it. Licciardi flinches as if struck, and Trentino stares with barely concealed frustration. I slowly climb to my feet and gesture at the door.
“Russo and Pasutto, stay. You two, get out.”
“Don Cardone—” Licciardi starts, but Lucy cuts him off.
“Either stand and leave or I’ll kill you myself.” Her voice is completely calm, and I don’t doubt she means it.