Page 327 of Niccolo

By now, they all knew we had arranged a marriage between Valentino and Vicari’s daughter Isabella – but that the marriage had been called off.

What they didn’t know waswhy,unless one of Vicari’s men had leaked the reason.

Judging by the intently curious expressions down the corridor, they still didn’t know.

I glanced over at Valentino, who would have been Vicari’s son-in-law if things had gone differently.

My little brother had murder in his eyes – as did Adriano.

Everyone else was tense, ready for violence –

But Dario played diplomat perfectly.

“Don Vicari,” he said, his voice neutral.

“Don Rosolini,” Vicari sneered, his voice full of venom. He glanced at Valentino. “Andyou…”

Vicari trailed off in disgust, then glared at the Widow.

“And Signora Fioretti, too. All myfavoritepeople in one place,” he said sarcastically.

The Widow looked down her nose at him. “Along with my least favorite person in all of Sicily. What a coincidence.”

“Watch your tongue, old woman,” Vicari snarled.

“Don Vicari – ” Severino barked angrily –

But Dario held up a hand to stop Severino.

I can handle this.

The Roman mafia don fell silent.

“If you have any issues with us, let’s discuss them in private,” Dario said coldly.

“Oh –let’s,”Vicari jeered.

“Keep it civil,” Severino warned.

Vicari scoffed. “As long as these assholes do.”

Severino glared as Vicari walked off, then turned to Dario. “Are you sure you don’t want me to – ”

“I can handle him, but thank you. Until later, Don Amato,” Dario said, and we left the balding man staring after us in wonder.

We followed Vicari down a separate hallway – just Dario and I. Valentino and the Widow were about to come, but Dario gave them a subtle shake of the head, and they stayed behind with our other brothers.

“What, you didn’t want to include your entire family of half-wits?” Vicari jeered.

“Didn’t need them to deal with a moron,” I said cheerfully.

Dario gave me a half-amused, half-reproving look as Vicari exploded.

“Fuckyou,consigliere!”he hissed. “I can’twaitto vote against your family and watch Fausto cut off your balls!”

“And I can’t wait to tell everyone about Isabella and Ludavica,” I said in a chipper voice.

Vicari immediately went silent and turned slightly pale.

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