Page 133 of Savage Enemy

CHAPTER 27

STEFANO

Saul Moscatelli’s hot breath hit the back of my neck.

“I got the most interesting phone call earlier tonight. A little birdie I know in New York called to tell me a nine-fingered, arrogant little pissant fuck, who didn’t know how to fall in line, planned to break into my house and steal my daughter.”

Edgardo Lordi, I wagered. A growl vibrated in my throat.

Moscatelli continued amusing himself with his monologue.

“At first, I thought he was full of shit. I thought he was stirring up trouble again, because that’s all he’s good for anyway, his childish pranks and schemes. But something in my gut said this time he meant it. So I thought about it. Did I know any man stupid enough, disrespectful enough, to attack my home?”

No idea how he didn’t see the irony in what he’d just said.

“And you know what, son? I didn’t think anyone would really be so bold. I thought, as a man of my age, my stature, my respect in the community, no one would dare. Ah, but then I remembered the mouthy son of a bitch from New York who tried to buy my daughter but came up short.”

“Let her go,” I gritted out through my teeth.

“No, I don’t think I will. I’m not stupid like you, boy. I won’t piss off the Russians a second time.”

“How did you think it would end?” I snapped. “Why do you think the Italians don’t do business with them? Everyone knows Klimov can’t be trusted. You’ve signed your own death warrant. He won’t leave this house with her tomorrow before he kills you and your sons.”

“Why the fuck are you here?” Saul snapped.

Was he really so fucking stupid? I slowed my breathing.

“Give me the girl, and you won’t lose a son tonight.”

Saul chuckled. “You really are an arrogant son of a bitch, aren’t you, Vignali?”

Aris laughed his stupid fucking insane laugh, the sound of it grating my raw nerves.

“I have a gun to your bitch’s head,” he said, “and my father has a gun on your back, and you still think you’re getting out of here alive.”

Outside of the room we stood in, gunfire still popped, but fewer shots now. I could only hope my men were coming out on top against the Moscatelli soldiers.

I quickly searched my mind for a way to get Val and me out of the situation. The only option was to stall.

If my men managed to get a handle on the situation in the other room, they would come to me. I had to wait and stay alive long enough for that to happen.

“So what exactly did the Russians offer you that was better than my deal?” I asked. “I offered you ten million for her and exclusive access the New York harbor. No one else in Chicago will ever get that.”

Val raised her eyebrow.

I couldn’t stop myself from winking at her.

“You did,” Moscatelli said. “You made quite a compelling offer. If the Russians hadn’t already claimed her…” He shook his head. “No, I still wouldn’t have given her to you. I don’t do business with men who take what belongs to me.”

I scoffed. “Oh, come on, we both know the real reason you refused my offer. You thought Klimov would let you live. And aside from that, I didn’t take anything from you. I’d never even met you until you showed up in my home.”

“You’ve taken a lot from me. My daughter and her virtue. I wonder, boy, just what your role was early on. Did you convince her to fake her death, to disgrace her family, to run away with you? Now that people know she’s alive and no longer pure, her reputation is ruined.

“You know as well as anyone that a woman in this life is only as good as her virtue. So, yes, you took that from me, and you also shamed my family by making her carry your bastard.”

I could’ve pointed out that I had no idea she was a mafia princess until he showed up in my fucking house, or that I’d shunned this life during the time she faked her death. I could have explained that women weren’t cattle meant to be sold to the highest bidder. That I had no idea she’d carried my son.

But he would have only shot me faster.

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