Page 306 of Niccolo

He laughed, then turned to Dario. “Welcome, Don Rosolini.”

He also bowed slightly at the neck to Alessandra and gave her a charming smile. “So good to seeyouagain,SignoraRosolini.”

Severino had been at Dario and Alessandra’s wedding… although he, along with most of the other families in theCosa Nostra,had skipped Adriano and Bianca’s nuptials. That was back when everyone thought we had murdered the Agrellas.

“Thank you, Don Severino,” Alessandra said pleasantly.

The mafia don addressed the entire group as he gestured at the limousines.

“Please, everyone, arrange yourselves as you see fit.” Then he turned back to the Widow and Dario. “Donna Fioretti, Don Rosolini and Signora Rosolini – if you would join me in the first car, I would be honored.”

Dario smiled politely. “I would like myconsigliere,my head of security, and hisfiancéeto accompany us.”

He meant me, Lars, and Rachel.

I trusted Severino’s promise to keep us all safe…

But I certainly wouldn’t mind having a Special Forces soldier and an ex-MI6 agent in the car with us.

Severino smiled back. “As long as no one gets murdered – why not?”

There was a moment of anxiety on the part of the Widow when she had to be separated from Lucia, but Massimo promised he would keep her safe.

Then everyone split off to different limos, with at least two foot soldiers guarding each couple.

A moment later, we were off.

It was a bit snug in the back of the limo with seven people – Severino, the Widow, Dario, Alessandra, me, Lars, and Rachel – but we made it work.

Protocol demanded that only the heads of family speak unless spoken to – something I had stressed to Lars, Rachel, and Alessandra in the plane – so Dario, the Widow, and Don Severino did most of the talking.

Severino offered us a bottle of champagne.

Everyone declined. Alessandra was pregnant; she had just begun to show the tiniest bit. Lars and I were technically working, and Dario and Rachel joined in out of solidarity.

The Widow had her own reasons.

“I don’t get drunk with rivalmafiosos,”she said tartly.

Severino laughed, then poured himself a glass. “Well, you’re missing out, but you can always drink amongst yourselves at thepalazzowhere you’ll be staying. It’s one of the crown jewels of my family’s collection – an absolutely stunning view of the Palatine Hill.”

The Palatine Hill was one of the seven hills of Rome and the one where the mythical Romulus was said to have founded the city.

Two thousand years ago, the Palatine Hill was where the rich and powerful lived, including many emperors.

Now it was a giant archeological site – a series of ruins, but incredibly impressive ones.

“Where will Fausto be housed?” Dario asked.

Severino tilted his head and smiled the tiniest bit, likeNaughty, naughty. “You know I can’t divulge that. Just as I won’t tellhimwhereyou’restaying.”

“Where will the Council be held, then?” the Widow asked.

“I have a place near the Trevi Fountain,” Severino said, referencing the famous landmark built in the 1700s. “The location is secret until tomorrow, but your drivers will know where to take you. They’ll be outside your door at 9AM.”

“I prefer for ourownpeople to drive us,” the Widow snapped.

“Venetian boatmen driving in Rome traffic – a perfect recipe for disaster,” Severino said playfully. “If it makes you feel better,Bella Donna,I will come to get you myself, just as I did at the airport. So if you die, I die as well.”

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