Page 108 of Tempted By the Devil

“ENOUGH!” Il Diavolo roars over Sergio. “You were not called here today to air your personal grievances. I am uninterested in your melodrama. Our product is out on the streets as of tonight. You will inform Titus he must find new real estate and a new product to sell or there will be consequences.”

“If you think we’ll back down, you’ve got another thing coming!”

I decide to throw my hat in the ring, since we haven’t addressed the other elephant in the room. Still with my easy smirk on my face, I raise my brows and interject.

“Gentlemen, I apologize if I may seem a little impatient, but I’m a busy man with a very hectic schedule. You brought me here to discuss business. I’m afraid if that’s not the case, then I’ll show myself out?—”

“Stay where you are!” commands Il Diavolo, and the two guards flanking me lift their guns to emphasize his order.

If I move one muscle, they’ll shoot.

…or that’s the idea we want to give Sergio, his men, and a lurking Portia.

“You have been brought here today because it’s time you cut ties with the Tuco organization,” says Il Diavolo, returning to his calmer volume.

But it’s his words that have caused a stir. Sergio whips his head in my direction, his big eyes bugging out and his equally big mouth agape. He’s never looked more like a fish, like a trout to be exact.

His lips naturally hang downward so that when his jaw’s dropped open, he resembles a fish caught on a hook.

He eyeballs me like he’s never seen me before. As if he’s just learned a man walked on the moon.

“Him?” he croaks finally. “He’s not my business partner!”

I remain amused, hands in my pockets. “Mr. Sacrimoni, have you ever considered you’re not aware of all the business dealings of Titus Tuco? We have shares in some of the same companies and properties. But I am in business with many around the city. It is how I’ve gotten where I am today, after all.”

Sergio looks like his mind is blown. He takes long, slow blinks and his once curled fist hovers near his pocket like he wants to call his boss and confirm.

But it’s true. I have,technically, been in business with the Tucos.

Rafael Calderone makes many investments. He has many business partners and stakes in several games. That includes some of my rivals.

A necessary evil for a man like me.

Not only does it give me some leverage over them in the right scenarios, it allows me to distance Rafael and Il Diavolo. It gives me a reasonable track record showing no set loyalty or allegiance.

It also provides me a means to sabotage if I so want to.

“You have been playing both sides,” accuses Il Diavolo. “You have invested in properties like U4EA, which belongs to the Bellucci territory… but you have done the same to several that belong to the Tucos.”

“With all due respect, Il Diavolo, that’s called good business. Your mafia war has little to do with me and my business dealings. I am notla cosa nostra. I do not, and have never, affiliated myself with you or anyone outside of official business.”

“I will no longer stand for playing both sides. No matter what you consider to be good business.”

“I’m done listening to this!” shouts Sergio, losing any last restraint. He draws his gun, which is only a Glock 19, and points it around the room.

It becomes an immediate race to draw weapons first. Sergio’s men follow their capo’s lead while Il Diavolo’s crew merely raise the machine guns they’re already clutching up higher. Even the two who have been guarding me redirect their guns toward Sergio and his guys.

Suddenly, we’re in a Mexican standoff.

I take half a step back, feigning surprise that it’s come to this.

Rafael Calderone may be a cutthroat businessman, but he isn’t violent, and he isn’t a killer. I want to make it clear I have nothing to do with anything about to go down.

Il Diavolo doesn’t move. He remains perched in his throne-like chair, peering down at the rest of us like we’re part of his entertainment.

“You are outnumbered three to one, Sergio,” he says simply. “You may open fire any time you like. But realize it will come with consequences. Your grave will be next to Luigi Grasso’s.”

Sergio grits his teeth, his hand shaking as he unsteadily points his gun. “This was an ambush! This was a trap! I was led here under false pretenses and I won’t bend the fucking knee, Diavolo! The Tucos will not stand down!”

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