Page 94 of Savage Grace

Toni didn’t like it.

That made me laugh.

“All these dudes are fucking loaded, Toni,” Sammy shook his head.

“It all makes sense,” I shrugged. “All these attacks, they’re not from fucking seasoned criminals.” I kicked Toni’s shin playfully under the table. “These attacks are from little rich boystryingto be a Santino.”

Antoni smiled down at me, looking more big brother than mafia don.

They would never be us.

They would never come close.

“So you think Theo is undercover?” Toni asked, leaning in.

I nodded.

“We think they’re trying to pit us against each other. Start a war. Dwindle numbers on both sides so we wipe each other out and they can keep their hands clean,” Ashe added.

“I didn’t want to tell you about Theo yet because I thought you might want to keep him close for now, until you come up with a plan. Once he knows he’s been found out, they might change their plans or make a more drastic move.”

Antoni blinked at me.

“That’s a good idea,” he nodded with a frown.

“She’s a clever girl, Toni,” Ashe added in my defence, and I elbowed him in the ribs. I could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks at his off-handed compliment.

“I know that,” Toni bit back. “But I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel like I think otherwise, Zar.”

I shrugged, trying to pretend like my chest didn’t burn with the reassuring sentiment. I guess it was something I had wanted to hear for maybe my entire life, but I wouldn’t let him know it.

Not right now, anyway.

“We’re ready to help in any way we can,” Prince steered the conversation into more serious territory, and I was a little grateful for it.

Toni sighed, and I watched as his walls of defence came back up.

“Look,” he said, “I believe everything you guys are saying. Okay? But, you understand that I’m going to have to confirm these suspicions first. Make sure you guys aren’t just bullshitting me and using my sister to do it.”

“Tone—”

Antoni held up a hand to cut me off, but it wasn’t as harsh as it usually was.

“Please, Zar. I’m not saying that’s what Ithinkis happening, but I need to do some digging of my own before I make any decisions or truces that end up biting me in the ass in the future.”

“Trust but verify,” Ashe added.

Antoni considered him for a moment before offering him a half-hearted grin. “Exactly.”

I nodded, “I understand.”

“I promise you, Theo will be dealt with regardless. But surely you understand that I struggle to trust the words of Redliners.”

Prince stood at that moment, and I tensed, thinking that the older man was about to punch my brother square in the jaw—but he didn’t.

Instead, he held out a hand in offer of a shake.

“I understand, Don Antoni,” he nodded, and Toni took his hand and shook it. “But please know,” his voice grew lower, gravelly, and almost desperate, “I amnothinglike King.”

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