Page 68 of Savage Enemy

The haggard old bitch. How dare she.

I’d never hit a woman like her in anger. But this wrinkled cunt was begging for a beating. She preferred a loose tongue? Fine. I’d loosen it from her mouth permanently. Maybe then she’d finally learn a thing or two about the art of silence.

Benedetta must have picked up on my rage. She squeezed my arm, steering my focus back to the conversation.

After several pointless excuses, the woman finally wandered off to spread her shit somewhere else.

Benedetta turned to me. “I have an idea.”

I hoped it involved violence. “Go on.”

“I just saw Marco leave the ballroom. I didn’t see him come in, but now I can follow him. I’ll talk to him and see if he’ll getyou an audience with his father tonight. Saul is here somewhere for sure. He’s not socializing, so he’s taking meetings somewhere in this hotel, right?”

“You can count on it. What else do you know about the old man that might be useful?”

She nodded. “He’ll want you to make an official offer to marry his daughter with his blessing. He’s simple, motivated by greed. Offer him an obscene amount or a lot of power and influence or something. I think that’s the best way to get her back. After all, that’swhy she’s here.”

“What?”

“Her father dolled her up and put the family jewels on her. If the Russians back out, this becomes an auction.”

“So you want me to line up like one of these second-rate motherfuckers and pretend I don’t already have the right to the mother of my child?”

She shrugged. “Well, yes.”

“And if he refuses my offer? I lose the element of surprise, and he’ll expect my attempt to steal her back. And I will take her by force if necessary.”

“I’m out of suggestions, Stefano.”

We had to do something at this point, like it or not.

“Do it then. Go talk to Marco.”

She squinted as she stared over my shoulder.

“Oh—he’s back and actually coming this way.”

Then Benedetta skirted around me, flashing a brilliant smile as easily as if it were another mask.

“Marco, hi. I was hoping to see you.”

I took a side-glance and instantly recognized him.

He kissed Benedetta on the cheek.

“It’s good to see you. What can I help you with? Finally coming back to Chicago? You look great, by the way.”

She chuckled politely. “Not quite, and thanks. But can we talk? I’d like to know what your father wants most right now.”

His gaze flickered in my direction.

“Hmm. Well, I can come up with several answers to that question, but none of it’s fit for mixed company. Why would you ask about that anyway, beautiful?”

Turning to face him, I interjected and answered for her.

“I want the mother of my child back where she belongs… with me, in my fucking house.”

Marco stared at me, past my mask, and the asshole grinned.

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