Page 90 of Savage Enemy

As if the fat prick cared about Benedetta or any other girl.

He abused his own daughter, for fuck’s sake.

“I have no problem turning over what I took at the time of Don Capaldo’s death—when I’m good and ready, and not a moment before. Once I’ve consolidated my achievements, I’ll consider a marriage to the right man, for the right price. After I’ve taken New York, the Commission, and Boston.”

I could have done it all.

It could have been my plan from day one.

A great strategy as far as empire-building plans went.

No, I didn’t intend to do it, but the pretense of it all was what Moscatelli could understand and needed to hear.

Aris glared at his phone, then handed it to his father.

Moscatelli stared at Aris’s phone for at least twenty seconds.

“I admit,” he said, “I am impressed. Now I see you’re the type of man who’s strong enough to manage my stubborn Valentina. You could keep her in line and provide for my grandchildren nicely. But you see, I just don’t trust you when it comes to business. You’re still your father’s son. I can’t ignore that.”

“Then don’t. You don’t need to trust me. You’re much smarter than that anyway. You’re also smart enough to know you can’t trust the Russians either. Christ, those assholes don’t even trust each other.”

“You’re right, I don’t trust them. They’re Russians.”

He paused and turned his wrist to check the time.

“But I gave those nasty fuckers my word first, and they’ve sent over another good offer. So I’m inclined to… what is it they say? To leave with the date who brought me.”

Moscatelli’s boisterous laugh filled the fucking room.

Aris joined him.

He would get more time to torture his sister.

All the air rushed out of my lungs.

I knew what Moscatelli would say next.

“Mr. Vignali, you won’t be purchasing my daughter today.”

Aris walked over to me, and we stood toe to toe.

“But hey, you might be able to buy her dead body from the Russians once they’re done with her.”

My heart accelerated.

A razor-sharp pain shot through me.

Then the rage came.

CHAPTER 18

VAL

I’d been locked inside my room for two days after we left the masquerade. Saul’s maids took turns sneaking in buttered bread and water for me.

While praying day and night for Stefano to make it out alive, I waited for Marco—or even Santo—to come see me, to tell me what happened.

No one ever came.

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