Page 59 of Savage Enemy

That was Chicago for you.

“He sounds like a prick,” I growled.

Benedetta shrugged her shoulders.

“Maybe, but he’s still your best bet to get through to Saul. I don’t know how much you know about the family, but they’re absolutely ruthless.

“A few Chicago families have turned against them because of their association with the Russians. Marco’s trying to mend those rifts, so marrying his sister into the Bratva is probably the last thing he’ll want to do.”

“I knew about the Russians,” I said, “but I didn’t know to what extent it had isolated the family.”

“They still have too much influence to be fully isolated, but it did put a strain on relations. They may have trouble securing a husband for Valentina, especially considering…”

She bit her lip as she regarded me.

“Considering what?”

“Your engagement announcement made it very clear she has a child. You know as well as anyone, a mafia bride’s only as good as her innocence.”

“So you’re suggesting we do this the diplomatic way?” I snapped. “That I break the treaty, make it known publicly thatI’ve broken the treaty, and try to purchase my wife from them as damaged goods?”

Benedetta winced. “I wouldn’t have put it quite like that, but yes. I recommend you offer more than what’s fair for an untouched bride. Her options are limited, but some do exist. Remember, you now have holdings in Chicago. If you don’t kill anyone, no one should object to you being there temporarily.”

I leaned over my desk.

“How many of your father’s men are in Chicago?”

Not good. She pressed her lips into a grim line.

“Most are here now. Ties remaining in Chicago are mostly social. The men who stayed are older, most retired. You can probably count on some backup if truly necessary.”

It all seemed too good to be true. I shook my head.

“Sounds like you’re telling me we go to the party with an invitation and leave with my bride.”

“If everything goes smoothly, that’s right.”

“What are the chances that will happen?”

She took a deep breath and released it.

“Well, that depends. What will you say to Marco to get him on your side? What price will you offer Saul?”

“What does Moscatelli want?”

“Same as you all want, I guess. More power. I don’t know how you’ll offer him that. That’s where Marco comes in. Oh, I did hear my father say something about the Russians opening new distribution channels for Saul.”

Women weren’t usually privy to the specifics of another’s bridal price, or to any of the other shit she’d said.

“How the fuck do you know all this?” I asked.

“We know much more than we let on,” she said softly.

She’d just proven it with how well prepared she was for this meeting. This one seemed smart enough to lead her family. Too bad our ways didn’t allow it.

I stood and jerked my chin toward the door.

“We done here?”

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