Page 83 of Dominance

“And how many of mine do you take credit for?” I snap back.

“Only one.”

Instantly, my hackles go up. Until I turn, really looking at the guy. He’s staring right at my Uncle’s gravestone, his eyes red, his expression sad.

Not just sad.

He’s aggrieved.

“I think we both know you aren’t responsible for that particular headstone,” I offer tentatively, curiosity getting the better of me.

“You’re right. But I hold myself responsible for mishandling the man who is. For not bringing him in when I had the chance. For failing him. For trusting him.”

“That’s a bold assumption, thinking that anyone could. Bringhimin.” As long as I’ve known Dom, he’s been wily. Incredible at subterfuge. Slippery as his namesake. “Trusting him? Just plain stupid.”

“Pot calling the kettle black, Diamante. I’m not the one marrying his daughter.”

A short, humorless chuckle puffs through my lips. Bold indeed.

“If you ever even hint at threatening her…”

“I’m not a threat to your fiancée, or you. I’m a wayout, just like I was for her father, your boss, once upon a time.”

“What are you saying?”

“My people are closing in. He burned us once. Stepping back into the spotlight was as good as signing his death certificate. Along with anyone who chooses to stay close to him.”

“Is that a warning? A good faith gesture?” I scoff.

“It’s just an offer. You ever wanna swap stories about Giancarlo, you hit me up, huh?”

“Yeah, sure. We’ll toast the old bastard’s health.” I nod, shouldering past Weller, down the hill.

“You ever wonder why he killed him? Giancarlo? Why he disappeared for two years before that, and why your uncle passed him over for don?”

“Spite? Revenge?” I shrug, looking back at him over my shoulder.

He huffs, looking off across the green. “You’d understand all about that, given what he did to your older brother. And yet here you are, working for him. Why? Why is Gloria Abate in the same position?”

Weller raises his eyebrows, setting his card down on a tombstone, walking down the path away from me. He doesn’t look back as he answers his own question, leaving me with dozens of my own.

“Leverage.”

15

GLORIA

I’ve all but nailed the part of Gloria Vipera.

She’s smart. She’s clever.

She’s vicious.

More like she’s a ruthless bitch. Not overtly. Just cool and aloof.

It’s easy. Just don’t react. To anything. Ever.

Except how I treated Adriano after our night together. The look on his face when he left Dom’s office…

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