Page 101 of Niccolo

In fact, it shook me to my core.

When Dario took the fall for the family and went to prison four years ago, I swore I would never forgive Fausto.

Little did I know that my uncle’s cowardice was merely the opening verse in a vast epic of betrayal.

IhatedAurelio, yes –

But I had loved Fausto like a second father.

Andhewas the one who had plotted to kill us.

Not only that, he had probably arranged my father’s death, as well.

For that, I wanted to torture him to death myself.

And yet…

Despite all the puzzle pieces seeming to fit…

There was still one missing.

You see, IknewFausto.

I had been his apprentice for over 10 years.

I knew his methods and ways of thinking backwards and forwards.

When he was still Papa’sconsigliere,I could predict how Fausto would respond to any given situation with 99% accuracy.

The events of the last two months?

The Turk and Mezzasalma, specifically?

None of it bore Fausto’s trademark caution.

The Turk and Mezzasalma were bold moves.

Decisive –

Stunning –

Tactically brilliant.

The secret alliance with the Agrellas – the corrupt judges, all of it –

That was classic Fausto.

Devise a trap and waityearsuntil it was sprung.

My uncle always played the long game. That was his primary strategy.

But the Turk and Mezzasalma –

The massacre of the Agrellas –

Those were lightning-fast strikes!

Not only that, but they had multiplelayersto them.

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