Page 126 of The Proposal

Edoardo: I plan to distract him by having the second shipment he ordered to replace the last one also go missing.

Stefano: And how does that benefit me?

Edoardo: This time, send the tins with their original contents. You will take payment for the drugs as usual, but you will also get to keep them as a sign of good faith.

Stefano: And what if Giovanni finds out there are only tomatoes in the tins?

Edoardo: He’ll never know. He’s a blind fool who trusts me implicitly. I’ll have no problem disposing of the tin tomatoes, and I will blame both highjacks on the Mortellis. They have had a running feud since the beginning of time.

Stefano: This plan sounds good in theory, but do you honestly think you can execute it?

Edoardo: Leave that to me. I’ve been playing the long game with this stronzo for many years, and it’s all finally falling into place. When I bring the Mortellis into the mix, it will set him off and take the heat off us.

Stefano:What did he ever do to make you hold such a grudge?

Edoardo: He stole the woman I love.

Stefano: You’re doing this over pussy?

Edoardo: Caterina was more than just pussy. She was everything.

He’s right about one thing: my mother was everything, but hearing him talk about her in that way makes me want to dig him up and bring him back to life just so I can kill the fucker all over again.

Edoardo: While we’re on the subject of women, Giovanni told me he has no plans for marrying your oldest daughter. He feels like she’s far too young for him. I, on the other hand, have no qualms where age is concerned. The younger, the better. I’d be happy to take her off your hands once I become the new Don. Would it be possible to get a photo of her? Giovanni said she’s a beauty.

Stefano: I think I’ve heard enough. If and when you can pull this off, we will talk, but be warned: if this comes back to me in any way, Giovanni Mancini will be the least of your worries.

I lean forward in my seat, handing the open binder to Romeo. My hand trembles with rage as I do. “Read this,” I tell him.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he growls as his eyes scan over the page.

I wish I wasn’t.

By the time we were through, I felt emotionally drained. Stefano and Edoardo exchanged many more messages, but in the end, when everything was said and done, Stefano told him he wasn’t interested in forming an alliance.

I guess I can be thankful for that, but I’m still livid that he kept all this from Papa. He should’ve told him what was going on behind his back from the very beginning. My father would more than likely still be alive if he did.

Stefano told me to look within when I first went to meet him in Italy. I now understand why. He alluded to the fact that it seemed like an inside job when he knew with all certainty it was.

I’m glad that cunt is dead. If he wasn’t, I’d be forced to board a plane to Italy so I could personally see to it myself. Breaking deals is seen as the highest form of disrespect in our world. It’s punishable by one way … death.

I pick up the glass beside me, swirling the ice in the scotch, watching it clink softly against the sides before bringing it to my lips. The smooth burn of the liquor slides down my throat, a momentary distraction from everything I learnt today.

Slumping back in my chair, I stare at the number I punched into my phone a few minutes ago, but I’m still in two minds about whether to make the call or not.

I blow out a long breath as I lean forward, place my glass on the desk, and press the call button before I talk myself out of it. This may get me nowhere, but I feel like there are things that need to be said.

The phone rings a few times before he answers. “Diego speaking.”

“Diego.”

“Who’s this?”

“Dante … Dante Mancini.”

“What the fuck do you want, Mancini,” he growls downthe line. “I have nothing to say to you except you’re fucking scum.”

I roll my shoulders and move my neck from side to side, trying my best to keep my cool. I’m doing this for the future of my family. For my wife and the child she’s carrying. I don’t want to worry every time they step out of the house that a threat lurks in the shadows.

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