Page 77 of Empire of Seduction

“Who is this?”

“I’ve just killed three bikers who shot my cousin in the woods. It’s my understanding they belong to you.”

A beat of silence. “You’re that Italian who’s staying at the winery.”

I wouldn’t confirm or deny it. “I’m ringing you to let you know that I now consider this matter settled.”

“If you killed three of my brothers, this is far from settled, motherfucker.”

“That would be unwise of you. I ran the Red Raiders out of Toronto and I’m more than happy to take you on here.”

“You think we’re scared of your kind? You don’t fucking belong here—you or that other asshole.”

I assumed he meant Benetti. “Your men earned this the second they killed my man. So I suggest you stand down and keep quiet.”

“Fuck off. I don’t take orders from your dumb ass.”

“Don’t be stupid. I’m telling you this matter is settled. If I were you, I’d consider myself lucky that I only took out the three who were involved.”

“Well, you’re not me, so I’d watch my back.”

“You can’t take me on, dumbfuck. Go away and be grateful I didn’t do worse.” Disconnecting, I tossed the mobile onto Tater’s body, then whipped off my bloody shirt. “All of it, in the ocean. Deep.”

“Sì, certo, Don D’Agostino,” Cesare said.

I used two bottles of water to wash the blood off my chest and arms. Once I was reasonably presentable, I found my clean shirt and pulled it on, then pointed to three of my men. “With me. The rest of you help Cesare.”

Trailed by my guards, I left the warehouse and unlocked the SUV. Tommaso hadn’t checked in yet, so I needed to get to the winery and find out what the fuck happened there. Because if she was hurt—or worse—I was going to lose my goddamn mind.

I climbed into the back and let one of the men drive. Maggie didn’t pick up when I rang—and neither did Tommaso, which raised my level of panic a few more notches. I reached into my pocket and dug out my pack of cigarettes.

I tapped my phone on my knee, thinking as I smoked. I hadn’t expected to go to war with a motorcycle club while visiting here. Maybe Baron was full of shit, but I couldn’t risk Maggie’s safety. If it escalated, I would need help.

Or I could go back to Toronto.

Immediately, I discounted the idea. I wasn’t scared of the Red Raiders. I had plenty of men here and could bring more, if necessary. Benetti could be tapped, as well. His crew was living out by the river. But I needed to increase security at the winery, fast.

A text came in. Tommaso.

Michael found her. She’s OK

My entire body sagged into the leather seats.Thank fuck. I took a long drag off my cigarette and tried to calm down. I needed to touch her, to hold her. To order her never to fucking scare me like that again.

Exhaling a plume of white smoke, I said, “Drive faster.”

Nothing was going to plan since I arrived in Paesano. It was times like this that I wished that Maz hadn’t left the family. Yes, he was often unpredictable, but he was my brother, someone who could tell it to me straight. Someone who could offer advice. Without him, I had no one I could trust, not implicitly.

Fucking Massimo?—

Wait. I did have more family. Not a brother.

My baby sister. Paloma.

When the shit went down with Ravazzani, Enzo sent Paloma, as well as his two children, to England to keep them all safe. Paloma decided to stay in England once the trouble ended instead of coming home to Napoli, though I never understood why.

While she was raised a mafia princess, Paloma was no weak, timid woman. When we were younger, she gave the three of us boys so much shit we told Papà he should induct her as asoldata. And she was the smartest of all of us, with an IQ higher than even Enzo’s.

Having Maz around these past few days made me realize how much I missed my family. How much stronger we are together than apart. And Paloma always understood me better than either of my brothers. She usually knew what I was thinking before I even said it.

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