Page 281 of Niccolo

“Let me know as soon as there is,” he said quietly.

“I will.”

Then I went to my bedroom. There was a call I had to make that I’d been dreading.

I dialed Valentino’s cell – and was surprised when Don Vicari answered.

“What?”he asked brusquely.

Charming motherfucker.

“I’d like to speak to my brother,” I said.

“Why?”

I wasnothaving it tonight.

“Because his brother Massimo nearly fucking died after being shot in a raid to save the Widow of Venice’s granddaughter,” I snarled. “Now may I please speak to myfucking brother?!”

There was a pause.

I didn’t know if Vicari was taken aback by my anger –

Or if he was about to unload on me.

A mereconsigliere,daring to speak to a don that way!

FUCK him.

Bring it on, asshole.

He surprised me, though.

“He’s not here. There was some trouble in Ortigia. He’s on his way back now. I’ll have him call as soon as he gets in.”

“Thank you,” I said stiffly.

I expected some sort of terse reply –

But instead, all I got was aclick!as Vicari hung up the phone.

“Fucking prick,” I muttered under my breath.

Between Massimo hovering between life and death, Roberto in God knows what kind of trouble in Hong Kong, and Valentinopossibly calling any minute, I knew I wasn’t going to get any sleep.

So I read a book I found on the desk in my bedroom: a history of Italian political figures during the Renaissance. In particular, the Medicis in Florence and the Borgias in Rome.

Not exactly everyone’s cup of tea, but political intrigues were right up my alley.

It helped me keep my mind off of Massimo and Roberto…

And off of Sofia.

Aurelio was dead…

And I was afraid Fausto might have taken out his rage and grief onher.

I thought about texting her…

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