Page 119 of Between Us

“I am pleased it’s you, of course. You’re married to my daughter.”

Roman didn't buy it. For all of his previous enthusiasm at the prospect of Roman taking over, Nero sure looked like he would have preferred Vitaly at the helm, if given a choice. It seemed that Roman's style of leadership and his decision-making weren't to the Don's liking, after all.

Tough luck.

Nero drained his whiskey then bit on his unfinished cigar that he picked up from the ashtray. The next question hung in the air, along with the smoke drifting past his lips. “How many men do you need?”

“Ten men and Matteo.”

“Why Matteo?”

“I would like to believe you won't betray me, but forgive me if I have my reservations.”

Something vicious flashed behind Nero’s dark gaze. The Don cleared his throat and glanced away in a poor attempt to hide his anger. “So you want to use my son as leverage.”

“I’d rather call it insurance that you won't back out when it's convenient for you.” Roman was poking the bear with a stick, but he went on. “You didn't mind it as much when it was your daughter instead of Matteo.”

Across the desk, Nero Rossetti's fist clenched around his now empty tumbler. Hitting his sore spot was a small pleasure for Roman, but a pleasure nonetheless.

“You will have your men. It goes without saying that Alessandra should be kept safe on that night. She iswelcome here, of course.”

“My wife is my business,” Roman said with an edge to his voice. “But yes, she will be safe with the men I put in charge of her security. There’s no need for her to come here.”

“This is not a pissing contest,” the Don snapped, his jaw clenched at being challenged by a man half his age. “She may be your wife, but she is still my daughter.”

“Yes, and look where that's gotten her.”

It was the last straw. Rossetti leaned forward, eyes blazing. “Are you complaining, Roman? Is your marriage not up to your standards? Does being married to my daughter inconvenience you? Because we can fix that anytime. These are modern times, and a divorce is not that uncommon, even among men like us.”

Fire licked at Roman's spine, despite knowing it was all a bluff. It was his fault for provoking the man, although he didn't think he could have refrained from doing it even if he’d wanted to. “Out of the fucking question.”

The vehemence in his voice seemed to appease his father-in-law. Nero's lips curled at the corners ever so slightly. “I see.”

Fucking bastard.

Roman kept a blank face, even as he mentally berated himself for being so transparent with his feelings for Alessandra. By now everyone knew just how important she was to him. It was dangerous and maybe a little reckless on his part to openly show affection to her the way he had. People were sure to try and profit from it, including Alessandra's own father.

“We should meet up tomorrow and discuss the details,” Matteo said, effectively ending a conversationthat was going nowhere.

Roman took the hint and stood. “I'll send you the address to one of our safe houses. Bring only a couple of trusted men and try to keep a low profile.”

Vito frowned, clearly not pleased with this outcome.

Matteo stepped away from the windows. “I'll see you out.”

As Roman turned to leave, he met Stepan’s eyes across the room. His friend stood near the door, arms crossed over his chest as he silently assisted the meeting. For the most part, everything had gone as expected. The three of them walked out of the office.

Matteo paused by the front door. “Don't worry about my father; he’ll come around. I'll make sure of it.”

“See that you do,” Roman said. “His man doesn't seem to agree to any of it, and we all know what a trusted man can do with the right words.”

“He trusts me more. I'll handle it.”

???

“When are you coming home?”Alessandra’s voice was quiet.

Sitting in the passenger seat of the Stepan’s speeding car, Roman kept his eyes on the passing buildings outside, two of his fingers drumming a steady rhythm on his upper thigh. “I still have some things to do. It could be another couple of hours.”

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