Page 187 of Niccolo

“Which iswhat,exactly?! Betray the family so you can get your dick wet?!”

I fixed him with a steely gaze of my own. “When you took Alessandra in and fell in love with her, did I give you shit about it?”

“CONSTANTLY.”

“Atfirst,yes,” I admitted. “But then, as you’ll recall, I gave you shit for kicking her out. Remember?”

Dario shifted from fury to horror. “Are you saying you’re inlove with this woman?!”

“NO! But I’m getting her to fall in love withme.”

“WHAT?!”

“I said – ”

“I heardwhat you said! WHY?!”

“Because we could use her,” I insisted. “You have to trust me on this one. She’s magnificent – an unparalleled strategist. She would be an invaluable asset to the family if I can turn her.”

“IF?!”

“Look, I’m not infallible – ”

“Are you sureyouknow that?!” Dario snapped.

I ignored him. “So yes, there is the possibility I might not succeed… in which case wewillget rid of her. But there’s still time, and I think I have an excellent shot at turning her.”

“What, exactly, makes you think you can turn her?” Dario asked belligerently.

“Because she’s inwayover her head.”

“What are you basingthaton?” Dario asked. “Seeing as she’s nearly killed ustwice?”

“Well, for one… she was a virgin until last night.”

Dario stared at me in utter shock. “…what?!”

“I know.”

“…how?!”

“You mean, how does a woman who’s plotting the deaths of a bunch ofmafiososnever – ”

“YES,” Dario interrupted impatiently.

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”

“Is she religious?!”

“OH no.”

Dario frowned as he mused aloud, “Alessandra was a virgin, but she was religious.”

“Yes, but Alessandra wasn’t plotting murder and general mayhem.”

“So – a criminal mastermind who’s a virgin – ”

“Wasa virgin,” I interrupted.

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