Page 69 of Ruthless Reign

“Benito and Giuseppe have two remaining brothers,” Frankie said. “One of them is sitting in this room.”

“And numerous cousins,” Sulli added.

“You’re both itching for retirement,” Leo said with a scowl. “You have been for years. You don’t want this action.”

I took a hesitant drink of water as another wave of nausea rolled through me. I tried to focus on the conversation, especially when it veered toward the wedding arrangements.

“Everything is set,” I said. “My final fitting is tomorrow. The cake, the rings, all of it has been completed. We’re just waiting for the guest of honor.”

“How many people will be there?” Sulli said.

“How many of Gabriella’s associates are planning to come?” Leo cut in, answering for me.

Sulli and Frankie exchanged a look, one that said so much without saying anything at all. They still weren’t sure about this alliance. They had spent a lot longer fighting the Roses and had lost more because of it.

“We need to focus on expanding our business,” Chesco added. “Letting bygones be bygones. I thirst for Rose blood as much as any respectable Caputi. But we have more important things to worry about.”

Sulli sighed and Frankie nodded, seeming to agree with that.

“Sulli, you married a Romano for a family alliance when they came poaching on our territory,” I said. “How many of your cousins did Dean Romano kill personally?”

Sulli shook his head. “Too many, but you’re right. Now, he’s one of my best friends.”

That might be hyperbole because I wasn’t sure Sulli hadanyfriends, but I dropped it.

“And Frankie,” I said. “You planned to marry Chesco to a Chekov to keep the Russians from snooping into our business with the cartel.”

“God, don’t remind me,” Chesco said, rolling his eyes.

“Our family has settled disputes far greater than this before,” I said. “The Roses are under new leadership. It’s time we do the same. We can accomplish so much more if we work together. Leo has the network, the support, and the mindset to do that.”

Sulli and Frankie looked at each other once more before settling their combined stares on me.

“We will support him,” Frankie said.

Leo smiled and leaned back in his seat.

“As long as you help him,” Sulli added.

“What?” I said at the same time Leo added a quick, “Of course.”

They wantedmeto help him? I would admit, of the two of us, I’d always been the brains behind the operation. Even when Julian was alive and we were children, I’d always come up with good ideas and they executed them. What were the Caputi brothers without their brilliant sister?

“Julia is going nowhere,” Leo said, winking at me. “She’s the queen of the Roses, the link between our new alliance.”

I tried not to let my surprise show, but of course. I could no more do this without Leo than he could do it without me. We’d been together all our lives, and now that we had our uncles on our side, we talked about next steps. Despite loving Gabriella as a sister, Frankie and Sulli both agreed her time at the helm was at an end. There was always the possibility they were lying to us, purposely setting us up only to pull the rug out from under us at the wedding. But why would they do that?

They had nothing to gain. They already had Gabriella’s loyalty. Even meeting with us would cause her wrath. With them on board, we now had most of the family. The Morellis, the Vitales, and the Romanos would follow suit, as would the underbosses. We had four days to get everything else settled before the wedding, and after that, we would bring in a new world for both the Caputis and the Roses.

Several hours later, after everything had been negotiated and defined, we said goodbye to our uncles and prepared for the next phase. Leo eyed me with that mix of skepticism and judgment, but I ignored him. I could admit I’d been too traumatized by what happened to me before to come to grips with how my new situation might be different. My feelings for Roman were deep and complicated, and even if I’d grown up in a cursed family, perhaps we might make it out of this after all.

I went upstairs to my room and checked my phone, but Roman hadn’t contacted me today. I debated biting the bullet and calling him, but what could I say? He deserved an explanation, but that would be better in person. I had sixteen texts from Della, each becoming more frantic.

Della:Gabriella is getting restless. I think she knows something’s up.

Della:Did you meet with Sulli and Frankie?

Della:Jules, I need your help.

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