Page 230 of Niccolo

“My brother Massimo doesn’t have that luxury,” Niccolo snapped. “He’s being hounded by Aurelio as we speak.”

And tracked by a man named ‘the Hunter,’I thought.

I felt a pang of guilt over the information I’d kept hidden from him…

Information that could potentially save his brother Massimo…

And that guilt made me feel resentful.

“Even if I walked away now, there’s nothing I could do about that,” I said crossly.

“You could tell me where Aurelio’s men are searching and help me bring my brother home safely.”

“I don’t know,” I said truthfully.

“Then you could find out.”

“If I dothat,then Ihaveto jump ship,” I snapped. “Fausto would kill me if he knew I was leaking that sort of information. Besides, you haven’t exactly been forthcoming withme,either.”

“About what?”

“Why are you in Sicily?” I asked.

“So you want to trade information?”

“No, I WANTto nottalkabout it.”

“That’s not an option anymore.”

I laughed in disbelief. “Oh – it’s an option, all right. Watch me.”

I turned away from him and sipped my coffee.

“I came here to Sicily to find something out,” Niccolo said coldly. “Do you want to know what it is?”

I said nothing – just watched the early morning sun highlight the plume of smoke drifting off Mt. Etna’s cone.

“I needed to know whether you’re a fucking monster or not.”

The venom in his voice shocked me, and I turned and looked at him in surprise.

Then I got mad. “I’m no more of a monster thanyouare.”

“I don’t plot to kill people for money.”

“Your family’s entirebusinessis plotting to kill people for money!”

Niccolo darted a look around in paranoia.

“Keep your fucking voice down,” he hissed. “And no, it’s not – youknowthat.”

“Oh, right, it’s political corruption and paying off dirty cops. Suchnoblepursuits,” I sneered.

“At least I don’t kill civilians,” he snarled.

“Neither do I,” I snapped.

“I don’t think the bankers who stole our money would agree. Or their families.”

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