Page 252 of Niccolo

“Every time we throw something at them and we think there’s no way they can survive it, they come back twice as strong.

“Take the easy win: get rid of Massimo and leave the girl alone. Otherwise you’re going to make an enemy out of the Widow. Didn’t you say she’s one of the richest people in theCosa Nostra?”I asked Fausto.

“THE richest,” he said.

“Don’t make another enemy even worse than the first.”

“We’ll control her if we have her granddaughter!”Aurelio yelled.“And as far as the others, we have the advantage!”

“Whatadvantage? We have paid mercenaries; they have a bunch of foot soldiers who woulddiefor them. That’s not a fucking advantage.”

“We’re laying a trap for them!”

“But they’llknowit’s a trap. If it were a complete surprise, it would be great. But it won’t be. Plus, there’s no place to retreat to. You want to back yourself into a corner inside a church on anisland.If Massimo and the others breach the walls, you’refucked.”

“They WON’T!”

“Based on their past track record, I wouldn’t bet against them unless I had overwhelming odds in my favor – and these odds are slightly above even at best.”

“We’ve invested too much time and money to just kill ONE of them!”Aurelio snarled.

“All that time and money mean nothing if youfail,”I snapped.

“What the FUCK?! This was YOUR PLAN!”

“I told you, I changed my mind,” I said. “There are too many variables, and if you DON’T succeed, the consequences are catastrophic.”

“Papa – ”Aurelio complained to his father.

“A moment while I have a word with myconsigliere,”Fausto said.

Then he hit the ‘Mute’ button and turned to me.

“What the fuck is going on?” he asked angrily.

“I already told you: I thought about it some more, and I think it’s a bad idea.”

“Is that so?” Fausto narrowed his eyes. “Or could it be that you’ve become overly fond of one of my nephews?”

That was exactly it.

But I couldn’t lethimknow that.

I scoffed. “That’s idiotic.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Because I’m telling you to kill his brother! You think Niccolo would appreciatethat?!”

Fausto made a face and nodded as if to sayYou have a point.

“Nevertheless, I think your original plan is better,” he said. “We have a real shot at ending this by tomorrow night.”

I clenched my jaw… then exhaled in irritation. “Well, I’m yourconsigliere,not your boss. Do what you want, but just remember – I’m against it.”

“So all the glory will accrue to my son,” Fausto said smarmily.

Hopefully all the death and defeat,I thought, but I bit my tongue.

---