Page 85 of Savage Enemy

I snagged yet another full champagne flute.

“I’ll just need to get a bigger gun.”

“Huh. That might work,” he agreed.

“What are the odds Saul agrees to Stefano’s terms before the Russians reach out to him?” I asked.

When my little brother’s gaze met mine, I didn’t need to hear whatever platitude he considered giving me.

I saw the truth in his eyes.

It didn’t matter what Stefano offered.

Didn’t matter how much cash he offered or how lucrative the connections he could provide might be.

Saul Moscatelli planned to make me go with the Russians.

And there wasn’t a damn thing anyone could do about it.

CHAPTER 17

STEFANO

As I approached Moscatelli’s private meeting room, I noticed Marco leaning against the doorframe, staring at his goddamn phone like something awful had happened.

I removed my masquerade mask and pocketed it.

“What is it? Have the Russians sent their demands?”

Marco shook his head but kept his eyes on the phone.

“No, but several other bids have come in from other families. I’m guessing it’s an attempt by the Italians to keep our deal with the Russians from going through.”

“What do the Russians get from this… other than my wife?”

“What? Isn’t she enough?” Marco asked.

“For me, yes. If she were going to be Klimov’s bride and give him heirs, maybe for him as well. But those other families wouldn’t be hell-bent on stopping this transaction if that was all Klimov wanted from your father.”

Marco studied me, seeming to evaluate how much he might choose to trust me.

I leaned in to intimidate him into my favor.

“I’m going in there to make an offer that does more to set up your power than his. You know exactly where I stand. You knowwhat’s on the line for me, so tell me, what the fuck’s on the line for you?”

Marco straightened and jammed his phone into his pocket.

“You’re right. I know what you stand to lose, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you what I stand to gain. I’ve already said enough. And I think you know the Russians want a bigger piece of Chicago, that they’re already in California and Texas and now grabbing at more presence in New York and Boston.”

“Yes, they want more of Chicago to link future East Coast interests with their western activities,” I said.

“Right. Access to the lakes, rail lines, and other amenities.”

“Buildings that sell like Manhattan,” I added, “but cost less to build, would make laundering money a hell of a lot easier.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“You know a lot about Chicago for a man who’s technically not allowed to be here.”

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