Page 259 of Niccolo

“Oh – so people can try to KILL you now, and it’s FINE!” I shouted.

Just the sheeridiocyof allowing an assassin whohad already tried to kill youwithin striking distance –

But Dario had decided. “Calm yourself,consigliere.”

Fuck.

I knew that tone of voice.

It was hisShut the fuck up and don’t say another wordMafia Don voice.

He’d decided to forgive her, once and for all –

And there was no going back.

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It turned out that not only was Lars in love with Rachel Bauer… they wereengaged.

First Massimo – now Lars.

Apparently, there was something about leaving Tuscany that made the men in our household lose their fucking minds.

Engagement ring or no, I was unhappy with the Rachel situation, and I let that fact be known –

But there were more pressing matters to attend to.

One of the more interesting bits of news was that Rachel knew about Friedrich Zollner, the ‘professional’ Aurelio had hired.

Her assessment of his abilities was sobering.

Evenmoresobering were her and Lars’s reactions when they saw the maps of San Michele.

From what they said, it sounded like an assault on the island would be a shitshow.

Then Rachel offered to go along to help.

That was when I finally put my foot down.

“NO!” I shouted. “I swear to GOD, Dario, if you put the woman whotried to KILL youon the team to save Massimo,I will resign right here and now as yourconsigliereand never speak to you again!”

“Niccolo – ”

“NO! The rest I can abide, butdon’t test me!”

I wasn’t playacting, either.

I was fuckingpissed.

Dario sighed heavily, then looked at Lars and Rachel. “I’m afraid I have to defer to him on this one.”

“FINALLY!” I shouted.

“I understand,” Rachel said.

“While Lars and Adriano are off on the mission,” Dario said to Rachel, “you’ll stay here with me and my wife.”

I know the son of a bitch was my don, but I swear to God, he’d said it just to irk me.

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