Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
The Famiglia is my future. Luca and the baby are everything. If that means keeping Raf in line, then so be it. I can do that much for my family at least.
Filippo frowns slightly. “I need more than that. And please, don’t insult me like Corrado did by offering money. I’m plenty rich. This is about stability.”
“Any large business expenditure will require your approval. We’ll have a three-tiered voting system. You, Raf, and Luca, each to represent different stakeholders.”
He looks interested in the idea. “Can we put this in writing?”
“I’d prefer if she didn’t, at least for now,” Luca cuts in. “After things are settled, we can deal with the legalities.”
“Which means I have to trust you.” Filippo tilts his head, considering. “You understand this means you’re giving me a lot of power?”
“I understand.” But what’s the fucking alternative? Raf will be pissed, but I’ll handle him. “It’s for the good of the family.”
“Then I accept.” He holds out a hand. I stand and go to him. His grip is tight, and he stares into my eyes. “He’s at the old firehouse.”
It takes a moment for that to sink in. “You mean, that’s where Corrado’s hiding?”
“With about a dozen of his best men, but yes. You’ll find him there.”
I look back at Luca. He seems thoughtful. “We found an address the other day. I think I know exactly where you’re talking about. You’re sure he’s there?”
“He’s there.” Filippo releases my hand. “Be careful, Fiorella. I’m putting a lot of faith in you and your husband. I believe your brother will be a decent Don, but he’ll need some steering at first.”
“I hope you can provide him with all your experience.”
Filippo walks us to the door. He seems much warmer now that the deal is finished. “I wish you both the best of luck,” he says, smiling and clapping Luca on the back as they shake hands. When the door closes, Luca’s smirk entirely fades.
“That fucking rat,” he mutters and stalks away.
“What’s wrong?”
“You do realize we just gave him more power than any Capo should ever have? A vote on all business expenditures is like calling him the second Don.”
“What else should we have done?”
“Absolutely nothing. He’s just a clever bastard, that’s all.” Luca glances at me and pulls me against his side. “You did well in there. I’m proud of you.”
Warmth fills my belly. “Really?”
“You negotiated. You did the deal. Even when it looked uncomfortable, you didn’t back down.” He stops walking and faces me. He kisses me lightly, and the brush of his lips sends a fire into my spine. “You’re in the business now.”
“I am,” I agree, kissing him again, getting a little greedy.
“It suits you.”
“You think so?”
“Absolutely.” He pulls me in tighter. “Nothing is more beautiful than a powerful woman. Especially when she’s all fucking mine.”
He buries his mouth with mine. I whimper into him, feeling strong and soft all at once, like I’ve finally found my place in the world. I’m not the Don. I don’t run the Famiglia.
But I have a role now. I can play a part and be important.
I don’t have to be afraid of getting trapped, not anymore, because this is where I want to be.
A loud buzzing sound makes Luca pull back. He frowns and squints upward.
A drone hovers ten feet above our heads.
“Fuck off, Davide,” Luca says, flipping it off, and kisses me again. This time twice as hard.
Chapter 37
Luca
“Should’ve just come here the second we found those goddamn bills.” Enzo stares across the street at the old firehouse. Darkness hides most of the details, but we can tell the big picture. It’s a two-story brick structure with a peaked roof that probably needs a whole lot of repairs. And yet, according to that energy bill, it’s using a ton of electricity.
Which means someone’s living there.
“Couldn't have known for sure.”
“Davide thinks maybe ten people are inside.”
“Sounds right. Filippo mentioned Corrado’s got his best guys.”
Enzo smiles to himself. “It feels good to finally get one back, you know? This fucker’s been torturing us for way too long.”
“Tell the others, I want him alive. His life is mine.”
“Understood, though you know how shit gets in a firefight.” He glances sideways. Four other large vans are parked nearby, each one packed with men. “Gets a little chaotic.”
We lapse into silence. I watch the building for a while, thinking about Fiorella back home. She’s safe and under guard, but I still wish I was back with her. I hate being apart from her now. But there’s no way in hell I’d ever let her anywhere near an operation like this one, even if we’re hitting this place with all the muscle the Marino Famiglia can provide.
I was so proud of her during that meeting with Filippo. She was clever, the way she appealed to his logical side. A woman like that is going to go a long way in this business. I never imagined she’d turn into a perfect partner when we first got married.