Page 87 of Savage Enemy

“What could you offer me?” Moscatelli asked.

“Ten million, wired to an offshore account tonight. I’ll take immediate possession of her.”

Aris laughed. “This fucking clown. She’s not worth that kind of money.”

I narrowed my eyes, taking a second to rein in my anger.

“Let me be very clear, boy. Valentina might not be worth that much to you, and that’s your business, but her value to me is not the same, nor is the reason why it’s not any of your business. Ten million is my opening bid. Counter or shut the fuck up and let the grown-ups talk.”

The asshole lurched forward and drew a pistol from beneath his jacket, but Moscatelli lifted his hand, stopping his son dead in his tracks.

Fucking overzealous dog on a leash.

Moscatelli leaned forward in his chair, at least as much as his fat gut would allow, and nodded.

“All true enough. One man’s trash is another’s treasure. You say ten million is your opening bid. What if I want more?”

“More money? Or shall I offer something more lucrative?”

He tilted his head. “Are you in a position to offer me something more than cash for the mother of your bastard?”

He continued insulting my son to see if he could get under my skin, provoke me into making a mistake. I refused to let him. Val’s life was on the line.

I nodded. “I can offer better terms than the Russians.”

Moscatelli’s reddened face twisted into a smile.

“Well, then. Now you have my attention, Mr. Vignali.”

“Good. Let’s get to it then. The Russians once offered you two and a half million as well as a business deal for expanding your shipping activity through Canada into Europe.”

He shrugged. “You did your homework, and I’m supposed to be impressed?”

“Not impressed, concerned that I can give you something better. That is, assuming you’ve done your homework as well. I think you know I’m in a position to join the Commission and take my father’s seat as one of the highest-ranking members. This gives me a great deal of influence.”

I paused to drive that last point home.

“Not only can I complete that wire transfer tonight, but as soon as I take my seat on the Commission, I’ll provide you with a direct shipping route from the East Coast into Europe. You won’t have any issues dealing with Canadian border patrol, and I own the customs agents in New York Harbor.”

Moscatelli sat back and regarded me with cold indifference.

“Why would you do that, Mr. Vignali?”

“Because you have something I want.”

Aris sneered. “You’re willing to join a committee you hate, work with us, and give up that much cash for someone like my sister? Kinda makes you a little simp bitch, yeah?”

I grinned. “It makes me an intelligent man.”

Moscatelli intervened with a dismissive flick of his wrist.

“Yes, yes. So, Vignali, tell me why my daughter’s worth all this trouble to you. Consider it a token of trust. I don’t get into bed with any man I can’t trust.”

A fucking lie. He couldn’t trust Klimov either. But fine—I could rationalize my offer if it made him get on with it.

“You met my son, your grandson, the nine-year-old who challenged you and Aris. The boy will be a strong leader, and he deserves to be my heir. I can’t make it so until he’s legitimate. I do that by marrying his mother.”

Aris threw back his goddamn head and laughed.

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